Sleep apnoea.
Better breathing can mean better sleep.
Sleep apnoea, also commonly written as sleep apnea, is a sleep-related breathing condition that can repeatedly interrupt normal breathing while you sleep.
For appropriately assessed patients, oral appliance therapy can provide a non-invasive treatment option for certain types of sleep-disordered breathing.
At Claremont Dental, we'll take the time to understand your circumstances and, where appropriate, work alongside your doctor or sleep specialist to determine whether oral appliance therapy may be suitable for you.
What is sleep apnoea?
Sleep apnoea is a condition where breathing repeatedly becomes interrupted or restricted during sleep.
One of the most common forms is obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), where the airway becomes partially or completely blocked while you sleep.
It can be associated with symptoms such as loud snoring, pauses in breathing during sleep, waking during the night and excessive daytime tiredness.
If you think you may have sleep apnoea or sleep apnea, appropriate medical assessment and diagnosis are important before treatment is considered.
Is it right for you?
Oral appliance therapy can be an option for some people with diagnosed obstructive sleep apnoea or other forms of sleep-disordered breathing.
Whether it's appropriate depends on factors including the type and severity of your condition, your dental health and your individual circumstances.
We'll discuss your situation and, where appropriate, work alongside your doctor or sleep specialist to determine whether an oral appliance may be suitable.
The right treatment starts with the right assessment.
Our approach
Your first appointment will involve a discussion about your symptoms, sleep concerns and dental health.
If you've already been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnoea, we'll review the relevant information and assess whether an oral appliance may be appropriate for you.
If treatment is suitable, we'll explain the appliance, the fitting process and what you can expect as you begin using it.
Ongoing appointments allow us to check the fit, comfort and condition of the appliance and monitor your dental health.
Your sleep physician or medical practitioner may also remain involved in monitoring your sleep condition and treatment outcomes.
What to expect
Your appointment will usually begin with a conversation about your dental health and anything you'd like us to know or discuss.
We'll examine your teeth and gums and, where appropriate, may recommend photographs or X-rays to help us understand what's happening.
If we identify something that needs attention, we'll explain it clearly and talk through your options before recommending a course of action.
No surprises. No pressure. Just thoughtful dental care.
Your questions answered
What is the difference between sleep apnoea and sleep apnea?
There is no difference in the condition being described. Sleep apnoea is the Australian and British spelling, while sleep apnea is the American spelling. Both refer to the same sleep-related breathing condition.
Can a dentist diagnose sleep apnoea?
Sleep apnoea requires appropriate medical or sleep assessment and diagnosis. If you're concerned about your sleep or breathing, we can discuss your symptoms and help you understand the next steps.
What is an oral appliance?
An oral appliance is a custom-made device worn during sleep. For appropriate patients, it can help position the jaw and/or tongue in a way that helps keep the airway open.
Is an oral appliance suitable for everyone?
No. Suitability depends on your diagnosis, the nature and severity of your sleep-disordered breathing, your dental health and other individual factors.
What about snoring?
Snoring can have a number of causes and doesn't necessarily mean you have sleep apnoea. If snoring is affecting you or your partner, it's worth discussing so the underlying cause can be appropriately assessed.
Health funds
Sleep apnoea assessment and oral appliance treatment may be covered differently depending on your health fund and level of cover.
We'll explain the expected costs before treatment and recommend checking your individual policy for available benefits.
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Let's talk about better sleep.
If you're concerned about snoring, disrupted sleep or sleep-disordered breathing, we're here to help you understand your options.