Sleep Dentistry, Sleep Apnoea & Airway Health
Sleep health is one of the most important aspects of your wellbeing and you might be surprised to know that a dentist might be able to help you.
Sleep apnoea is a condition where the upper airway collapses leading to a temporary reduction of your blood oxygen levels. It is a serious medical condition which links to other chronic issues such as cardiovascular and metabolic diseases (for example, heart disease, stroke and diabetes) It is crucially important that if you snore, or feel sleepy or tired during the day, you speak to your GP and organise a sleep study.
The main mode of treatment for sleep apnoea is a CPAP machine. This machine works by blasting air in your airways and keeping them open so you can breathe better while asleep. Unfortunately, the rate of compliance of patients using CPAP is not great.
Mandibular Advancement Splint
Another option, provided you are a suitable candidate, is what we call a mandibular advancement splint or commonly known as a snore guard. It works by bringing your lower jaw forward slightly providing more room in the back of the throat and opening the airway. Snore guards are a lot easier to use compared to CPAP an in many cases are enough to provide you (and your partner) with better sleep. A snore guard needs to be prescribed by your sleep physician. If your sleep apnoea is severe, CPAP may be the only option.
At Adelaide Cosmetic Dentistry we work with sleep physicians to see if you benefit from a Mandibular Advancement Splint. Once we have confirmed this a digital scan of your mouth is obtained and relevant measurements are taken. Once the custom made splint is received, we fit the it in your mouth, walk you through the instructions and ensure you can use your snore guard comfortably. A period of adjustment is often required before you can see results.
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