Directions

Please find Snore Owl fitting instructions below; or alternatively you may download and print a PDF file here.

The Snore Owl is proven, patented technology. Wear it in your mouth as you sleep, and it may reduce or eliminate your snoring.  The Snore Owl may be fit and used in the security of your home by simply warming it and following these easy steps. To fit your appliance, have the following ready:

1. A microwave-proof deep bowl with one cup of water

OR a glass bowl and some boiling water.

2. A timer, such as a watch with a second hand.
3. Spoon or tongs.
4. Scissors.
5. Mirror.

For best fitting results, read and follow the instructions before and during custom fitting of the Snore Owl.  These instructions contain important information regarding the safety and effectiveness of this product.

WARNINGS

Use of device may cause one or more of the following conditions:

• Tooth movement or changes in dental occlusion.
• Gum/ Gingival or dental soreness.
• Pain or soreness to the temporomandibular joint.
• Obstruction of oral breathing.
• Excessive salivation.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

This appliance should not be worn if:

• You have any of the following conditions: moderate – severe sleep apnea; severe respiratory disorders; loose or unstable pieces of dental work; temporary placed crowns or bridges; full upper and/or lower dentures; loose or ill-fitting partial dentures, braces or a retainer, or other dental implants.
• You have a history of asthma, breathing, or respiratory disorders, or other relevant health problems.  Please discuss the use of this device with your healthcare professional prior to using the device.
• You experience clicking of the jaw and/or have been diagnosed with temporomandibular joint problems (TMJ).
• You are under 21 years of age.

KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SNORING AND SLEEP APNEA

The Snore Owl is intended for use only as an aid for the reduction or elimination of snoring. Snoring occurs when the soft tissue in your throat and upper airway vibrates, making the sounds we know as snoring. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) occurs when the soft tissue in your throat collapses and prevents air from getting to the lungs. Loud snoring may be a symptom of OSA.   OSA can be a life threatening condition. If you “wake yourself up” from snoring or if you have ever been told that you stop breathing in your sleep you may suffer from this condition. Family members or bed partners are often the first to suspect that something is wrong, typically noticing the heavy snoring and apparent struggle to breathe. Coworkers or friends may notice the individual falling asleep during the day, perhaps while driving or in meetings. The person with OSA often is unaware of the problem.

It is important that you are aware of the signs and symptoms of OSA and discuss this condition with your doctor if you think you have sleep apnea.  Educational information on “What is OSA” can be found at: http://www.lung.ca/sleepapnea/ There you will find information on symptoms and next steps if you think you have OSA.

Custom Fitting Instructions

The Snore Owl has two parts. The top tray has a stylus pin. The pin fits into a slot in the bottom tray.  The trays are made of dental-grade thermoplastic material that will be molded by you to customize your device.

Before you begin to fit the Snore Owl

1. Practice lining up the trays of the Snore Owl.

• Place the stylus pin into the first slot of the bottom tray.  Line up the top and bottom tray by centering the stylus pin in the slot. Now practice taking the Snore Owl apart.  Rotate the trays 90 degrees from each other to release the stylus pin from the bottom tray and allow the two trays to be taken apart.  Practice this several times because you will do it again when customizing the Snore Owl for your use.
• It may be helpful to see yourself in a mirror as you practice fitting the Snore Owl.

NOTE: It is recommended that you wet the device before practicing your fit.

2. Practice positioning the top tray in your mouth.

• Take the top tray and place it in your mouth with the soft side against your top teeth.
• Use the fitting fork to properly place the top tray in your mouth.
• Adjust the tray so that the stylus pin lines up with the center of your front teeth; this is the proper fitting position.  Remove the top tray.

3. Practice positioning the bottom tray in your mouth.

• Take the bottom tray and place it in your mouth with the soft side against your bottom teeth.
• Line up the center of the slot to the center of your bottom teeth; this is the proper fitting position.
• Remove the bottom tray.

4. Practice lining up your teeth by watching yourself bite in a mirror.

• Line up your top and bottom front teeth in an end-to-end position, so they touch in the front – if this is your natural bite position then this will be the position in which you will bite. If your lower front teeth are positioned behind your upper front teeth then you will bring your lower jaw forward.
• The end-to-end bite position is the proper position for customizing the Snore Owl.

FITTING INSTRUCTIONS

Softening the top and bottom trays

There are two ways to soften trays of the Snore Owl:  heating the trays in boiling water or microwaving the trays in water.  We recommend that you follow the instructions using boiling water; however the microwave method will produce a similar quality fit.  Please choose the heating method that you are most comfortable with.   Please use caution when handling the BOILING water – burn or injury may result.

IMPORTANT NOTE –  HEATING METHOD – DO NOT heat the trays at the same time. Following the instructions below, heat and fit the top tray; then heat and fit the bottom tray.

Boiling Water

1. Bring approximately one cup (8 ounces) of water to a rolling boil on a stove top or hot plate.
2. Place the top (or bottom) tray and the fitting fork into hot water for 2 minutes.
3. Using the tongs or a spoon, remove the top (or bottom) tray from the water.

NOTE: The softened material may stick to the spoon or tongs when removing from the water. Any displaced material can be reformed during the fitting process.

1. Allow the material to slightly cool for 2 minutes.

WARNING: The top (or bottom) tray should be cool enough to comfortably touch with your fingers before placing it into your mouth.

1. Follow the fitting instructions below for the trays.
2. Place the top (or bottom) tray into a microwave-safe bowl with approximately one cup (8 ounces) of water, and heat in a microwave oven for approximately 3 minutes.  NOTE: Microwave ovens differ in strength, so the material may soften in less than 3 minutes.
3. Using the tongs or a spoon, remove the top (or bottom) tray from the water.

Fitting the Top Tray

1. Attach the fitting fork to the tray.  Place the softened side of the tray under your top teeth with the stylus pin at the center of the face.  Put the top tray and fitting fork into your mouth and push the tray back against your top teeth as far as possible.  Carefully press the tray onto the top teeth.
2. Close your mouth and bite down to set the fit for the tray.  Firmly bite the tray to allow any excess material to extrude into the space above the top lip of the tray.  Massage your lips and cheeks to shape the extruding material against your teeth and gums.  Rub your tongue against the tray to force the material extruding on the inside of the top tray against your palate and the gums.
3. Apply a suction force to help form the softened material to your teeth.
4. Remove the tray from your mouth after one minute.

Fitting the Bottom Tray

1. Follow the appropriate heating method steps.
2. Assemble the trays by placing the stylus pin of the top tray into the first or most forward slot of the bottom tray.
3. Position the molded top tray onto the top teeth and the softened side of the bottom tray over the bottom teeth.
4. Carefully close your mouth and bite down into the end-to-end position as you practiced earlier.  Firmly bite the bottom tray to allow any excess material to extrude into the space around your bottom lip.  Massage your lips and cheeks to shape the extruding material against your teeth and gums.  Rub your tongue against the bottom tray to force the material extruding on the inside of the bottom tray against your gums.
5. Apply a suction force to help form the softened material to your teeth.
6. Remove the trays from your mouth after one minute.

NOTE:  While fitting the bottom tray, material from one tray may become stuck to the other tray, limiting side-to-side movement.  You may need to trim off any excess material with a pair of sharp scissors.  Place either the top or bottom tray back into the hot water for 10 seconds to soften this material for ease of cutting.  Any edges left from the trimming may be smoothed with a wet finger while the material is warm.