Dental treatment of snoring and sleep apnoea
The condition called Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) occurs when the patient stops breathing many times during the sleeping cycle. These episodes can be few or many and can be of short or longer in duration (10 seconds-1 minute). This happens without any awareness to the patient during sleep.
Sleep Apnoea can have serious health implications including life threatening conditions such as a stroke or heart attack. Proper assessment or diagnosis of Sleep Apnoea and measurement of its severity needs to firstly be done by a respiratory physician. We work very closely with such specialists, and once they assess the degree of Sleep Apnoea will make recommendations on the best treatment option.
One of these treatment options is offered at our clinic, and is created through fabrication of an oral appliance called Mandibular Advancement Splint (MAS). These appliances aim through design and fabrication to position the lower jaw in a slightly forward position which effectively holds the tongue forward as well as lifting the soft palate. This effectively provides a larger opening of the airway at the back of the mouth, making air flow easier.
This form of treatment has a 70-80% success rate. There are many different types of appliances that are available and designed for this purpose. Some of them are certainly a lot better than others in regards to their comfort and effectiveness.
Your physician once completing the assessment may recommend for you not a MAS but the CPAP (Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine. This would generally be the preferred option for severe Sleep Apnoea or in cases of existing heart or lung disease. Surgery can also be considered including tonsil removal, opening up nasal passages, tongue reduction, repositioning the jaw more forward as well as tissue removal at the back of the throat. Surgery discomfort and complications need to be discussed with the surgeon.
The most obvious symptom is that the person feels tired upon waking and feels sleepy through the day with poor concentration or even a decrease in job performance. Other symptoms nearly always include loud snoring, and the patient may also notice choking or gasping during sleep. There may be a sore, dry throat upon waking, morning headaches, memory deterioration, irritability and even anxiety and depression.
If you think you may suffer from sleep apnoea, don’t hesitate to contact us at Family Dental Clinic – West End today.
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Sleep apnoea is a sleep disorder where a person’s breathing repeatedly starts and stops during sleep. The most common type is obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), caused by the relaxation of throat muscles, which blocks the airway. This results in fragmented sleep and symptoms like snoring, gasping/choking, daytime sleepiness, headaches, and difficulty concentrating. Sleep apnoea can lead to fatigue, cognitive impairment, and health risks like high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Diagnosis involves a sleep study, and treatments include lifestyle changes, CPAP therapy, oral appliances, or surgery.
While sleep apnoea cannot be completely cured, it can be effectively managed and its symptoms significantly reduced. Treatment options aim to alleviate breathing difficulties during sleep and improve overall sleep quality. Here are some common approaches:
Consistent treatment adherence is important for effective management. Regular check-ups with healthcare professionals are recommended.
The best treatment for sleep apnoea depends on individual factors. Common options include CPAP therapy (using a mask to deliver pressurised air), oral appliances (repositioning the jaw or tongue), lifestyle changes, and surgery in severe cases. Consultation with a healthcare professional is important to determine the most suitable treatment.
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| Tuesday | 8:00am - 6:30pm |
| Wednesday | 8:00am - 5:00pm |
| Thursday | 8:00am - 5:00pm |
| Friday | 8:00am - 5:00pm |
| Saturday | Every 2nd Saturday by appointment between 8.00am - 12.00pm |
Convenient parking is made available for our patients in the ground floor courtyard of the building. Please drive through the precinct building main entry gates at Browning street and immediately to your right as you enter the courtyard you will see the visitors parking section which includes a disabled parking Bay.
On rare occasions where all visitor carpark bays are full, there is ample street metered parking outside the surgery on Browning and Russel Street. These meters cater for long multi hour parking. There is also a secure underground carpark at the adjacent building, Precinct 2 , next to the “Melbourne Hotel”.