Many people who still feel tired when they get up in the morning suffer from sleep apnoea. This is caused by a constriction of the airways. With a new piece of software, SICAT Air, dentists can now analyse patients' airways in 3D and plan the appropriate therapy digitally.

There is a new option of digitally imaging the entire process of what is known as obstructive sleep apnoea to producing the appliance. The SICAT Air 3D software makes this possible. With this software, dentist can precisely analyse the patient's airways in an X-ray volume image – and then make an individual treatment plan. This planning also takes the temporomandibular joints and bite movements into consideration so that no stress is exerted there.

The need for solutions such as this is evident from the number of those affected, which is greater than frequently assumed. The HSL sleep laboratory in Heidelberg estimates that two to four percent of adults are affected by this condition. In middle to old age, the frequency is between 15 and 19 percent in men and between 9 and 15 percent in women. Overweight is also a risk factor. The problem is that people who suffer from breathing interruptions at night wake up stressed the next morning. This not only increases the risk of an accident, but also the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and many other disorders. The mandibular protrusion appliance can provide considerable relief in many cases.

Working in three dimensional imaging with a selection of products and solutions for dental implantology, functional diagnostics and treatment, as well as oral & maxillofacial surgery, SICAT focuses on the development of user-friendly and cost-effective software and hardware. For further information call 0845 071 5040 or info@sironadental.co.uk.