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Sleep Apnoea

Sleep Apnoea is a common, but serious sleep condition that results in abnormal breathing patterns during sleeping. A dental appliance is often one of the easiest and most effective treatments for Sleep Apnoea.

Sleep Apnoea

Sleep Apnoea is a common, but serious sleep condition that results in abnormal breathing patterns during sleeping. A dental appliance  is often one of the easiest and most effective treatments for Sleep Apnoea.

What is Sleep Apnoea?

Sleep Apnoea is a disorder that results in abnormal breathing patterns while sleeping. These irregular breathing patterns deprive systems of critical oxygen supplies and prevent the body from maintaining restful sleep. Sleep Apnoea is not only dangerous to the sufferer, but can be disruptive to your loved ones due to snoring.

Somnodent

A SomnoDent appliance is a custom fitted appliance developed to treat Sleep Apnoea and is an effective and comfortable alternative to therapy or surgery. A Somnodent appliance is worn when sleeping to move your lower jaw forward into a comfortable position, allowing relaxation of the tissues at the back of your throat, ensuring the base of your tongue does not collapse and block your airway, giving you a safe and soundless sleep.

What is the treatment process?

01. Treatment consultation

The first step is to have an initial consultation, where your dentist will conduct an examination to assess your suitability and discuss your options. Your dentist will then refer you to have a sleep study which can be done at home. Data will then be assessed to see if you would be able to have a Somnodent appliance or whether you will need to have a Cpap Machine.

02. Digital Impressions

Following your consultation, impressions or moulds and measurements will be taken to serve as blueprints. These impressions will be sent to Somnodent to create your custom fitted appliance.

03. Fitting

Once your SomnoDent device is ready, you’ll need to return so your dentist can fit the appliance and make adjustments to ensure maximum comfort and efficiency. You’ll leave this appointment with your new device and care instructions.

04. Follow up appointment

You may need to come back for a subsequent follow up appointment so we can assess and monitor your progress to ensure the objectives of your treatment plan are being met and to make any further adjustments if necessary.

Book now

To book a Sleep Apnoea Consultation, call us on 03 5978 0595 or make an online booking now.

Book now

Sleep Apnoea FAQs

  • What causes Sleep Apnoea?

    Sleep Apneoa is most commonly caused by intermittent over relaxation of the throat muscles which blocks the upper airway and prevents air from entering the lungs. This is known as Obstructive Sleep Apnoea, which can be treated with an oral device such as Somnodent.

  • What are the warning signs of Sleep Apnoea?

    The most common tell-tale sign of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea is loud snoring. However, not everyone who snores has Sleep Apnoea.


    Other signs of Sleep Apnoea include:


    • Episodes in which you stop breathing during sleep (usually reported by another person, you may not be aware of this yourself)

    • Gasping for air during sleep

    • Awakening with a dry mouth

    • Morning headache

    • Difficulty staying asleep (insomnia)

    • Excessive daytime sleepiness (hypersomnia)

    • Difficulty paying attention while awake

    • Irritability


  • What is a Sleep Apnoea sleep study?

    After your initial consultation, your dentist might refer you for a sleep study. A sleep study involves overnight monitoring of your breathing and other body functions during sleep. This can be done at home with a simple breathing monitor which tracks your breathing, oxygen levels and breathing effort while sleeping.

  • Will wearing an oral device cure my Sleep Apnoea?

    Sleep Apnoea is highly treatable and oral devices work well at treating the symptoms of Sleep Apnoea. However, oral devices do not cure Sleep Apnoea. For most people, Sleep Apnoea is a lifelong condition.  

  • Is wearing a SomnoDent® oral device comfortable?

    Most patients easily adapt to wearing a SomnoDent® oral device at night. Once it becomes part of a routine, most people hate to go to sleep without it as they realise how much better they (and their bed partner!) feel in the morning.

Book Now

To book a Sleep Apnoea Consultation, call us on 03 5978 0595 or make an online booking now.

Book now
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