Sleep Clinic Melbourne

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What is Snoring & Sleep Apnoea

WHAT IS SNORING?

Snoring occurs due to the vibration of our respiratory structures, which results in a sound due to the air movement being obstructed as we breathe during sleep. In some people, this sound may be quite soft, but in others, it can be loud and unpleasant. This is a sign that there could be an Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) problem.

WHAT IS SLEEP APNOEA?

This is also called Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA). It is a breathing related sleep disorder, and causes people to snore. This can also pose serious health problems. OSA occurs when people stop breathing regularly, and their blood oxygen levels drop as a result during sleep.

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Symptoms of Sleep Apnoea

Snoring and feeling tired from lack of sleep are two of the most common types of apnoea. Snoring does not always mean you have a problem, but a particular characteristic of sleep apnoea is that there will be a pause in the snoring, followed by a gasping or choking sound. These are not known by the person sleeping.

Some people also get dry mouth or a sore throat when they wake up, or they tend to wake up more often to go to the toilet, getting headaches, and feeling sleepy or tired throughout the day.

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Treatment of Snoring & Sleep Apnoea

Lifestyle Modifications:

• Weight Management: Losing excess weight, if applicable, can reduce the severity of sleep apnea, especially in cases of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
• Positional Therapy: Changing sleep positions can help alleviate snoring and mild OSA. Sleeping on your side instead of your back may be recommended.
• Avoiding Alcohol and Sedatives: These substances can relax the muscles in the throat, contributing to snoring and sleep apnea. Limiting or avoiding them, especially close to bedtime, can be beneficial.

Oral Appliances:

• Dentists can create custom-made oral appliances or mouthguards that reposition the jaw and tongue to keep the airway open. These are often used for mild to moderate sleep apnea or snoring.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP):

• CPAP therapy involves using a machine that delivers a continuous stream of air through a mask to keep the airway open during sleep. It is highly effective for moderate to severe sleep apnea.

Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP):

• Similar to CPAP, BiPAP devices provide different pressure levels for inhaling and exhaling, making it more comfortable for some individuals with sleep apnea.

Surgery:

• Surgical options may be considered for severe sleep apnea cases that do not respond to other treatments. These can include:
  • Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP): Removal of excess tissue from the throat.
  • Genioglossus Advancement (GA): Repositioning the tongue muscle attachment to prevent airway blockage.
  • Maxillomandibular Advancement (MMA): Repositioning the upper and lower jaw to enlarge the airway.
  • Implants: Inserting small rods or stiffening agents into the soft palate to reduce vibration and snoring.

Inspire Therapy:

• Inspire therapy is an implantable device that stimulates the hypoglossal nerve to control tongue movement, preventing airway obstruction during sleep. It is an option for select patients with moderate to severe OSA.

Positional Therapy Devices:

• Some devices, such as positional therapy wearables, can alert you when you are sleeping in a position that worsens snoring or sleep apnea. These devices encourage you to change positions.

Behavioral Therapies:

• Behavioral interventions, such as speech therapy and exercises to strengthen the throat and tongue muscles, can help reduce snoring and mild sleep apnea.

Treatment Options for Sleep Apnoea

CPAP, or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, is the gold standard of treatment for sleep apnoea, especially for severe cases. The machines are designed to increase air pressure going through your throat, and thus, preventing the airway from collapsing during inhalation. This machine sits on your bedside table, with pressurised air that blows from a tube into a mask that is worn over your face during sleep. This helps patients breathe easier throughout the night. APAP is a similar machine that is automatic, and monitors and adjusts the pressure as needed.

I have a CPAP machine but don’t like using it. What other options do i have?

This is a common problem that a lot of patients have. Others want a more mobile friendly alternative, or an addition to their CPAP machine.

Mandibular Advancement Devices (MADs) are the most common mouth device used in addressing sleep apnoea. These Oral Appliances for snoring are custom made to the size and shape of your mouth. Dental Impressions are taken of your teeth and adjusted by our dentists who are trained in dental sleep medicine. They work by bringing the lower jaw forwards and increases the airway space at the back of our throat. This opens up our airways and allows for easy passage of air when we breathe.

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The Process

How can The Smile Designer Dental Studio help me with my snoring or sleep apnea?

There are many patients who just simply snore, and their partners find it unbearable. At our dental studio, our team offers the ability to determine if your snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea is simply snoring, or if it is something more. We coordinate with our sleep clinic partners to organise the relevant home sleep study programs. You will gain the knowledge to help you on your way to sleeping better.

At The Smile Designer Dental Studio, we understand that the key to treating sleep apnoea properly lies in providing you with the right care from the start. This means working with our broader team of practitioners to diagnose the issue and the severity of the problem, ensuring the comfort of our patients, as well as providing essential follow up care. Our Solutions include personalised custom made oral appliance’s, follow up care and training of its use, as well as organising any post treatment sleep studies.

Call us today to learn how we can help you stop snoring now!