Is Your Snoring Actually Sleep Apnea?

Laugh and the world laughs with you, SNORE and you sleep alone

The connection between sleep and our health and wellbeing.

Sleep is an important pillar of your physical and mental health. It’s fundamental for restoring your energy, repairing body tissues and aggregating your memories. Did you know? A nourishing, peaceful night’s sleep enhances your mood, your cognitive function and even strengthens your immune system. Without a consistent good night’s sleep, chronic sleep deprivation can lead to some significant health issues, including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and depression. There are some common sleep disorders that can disrupt the vital process of sleep — an important one that we can assist you with at The Dental Spa Bondi, is sleep apnoea.

WHAT IS SLEEP APNEA?

The term apnoea, means ‘no breath’ and is defined as the temporary cessation of breathing, especially during sleep. There are two types of sleep apnoea: the most common is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), which occurs when your throat muscles relax too much and the flow of air into the lungs is blocked. The second form of sleep apnoea is Central Sleep Apnoea (CSA), which occurs when the brain doesn’t send the correct signals to those muscles in the human body that control breathing. The prevalence of central sleep apnoea is significantly lower than OSA, with less than 1% of the general population suffering from CSA.

If you’re suffering from obstructive sleep apnea, your airway basically ‘collapses’ during your sleep and prevents air from getting down into your lungs. You stop breathing momentarily, over and over again, which causes sleep disturbances and also can put a strain on your heart.

The difference between snoring and sleep apnoea:

How do I know if I have obstructive sleep apnoea?

• You’re experiencing difficulty sleeping and you are not waking up feeling refreshed
• You may be snoring loudly at night, gasping or even choking during your sleep
• You’re feeling excessively tired during the day, are suffering from morning headaches and irritability.

FROM SNORING TO SNOOZING: ARE YOU AT RISK FOR SLEEP APNEA?

TAKE OUR QUICK ASSESMENT TO FIND OUT:

If you answered yes to three or more of the above questions you might be suffering from sleep apnea.
At The Dental Spa Bondi, we take your sleep health seriously. We work closely with a team of specialists to correctly diagnose and treat your sleeping issues, so together we can improve your sleep and your quality of life, sooner.

How do you treat Obstructive Sleep Apnoea?

At a Dental Spa, our approach to treating Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is with a custom-made oral device. We begin with a comprehensive evaluation of the patient’s specific needs, which involves a detailed assessment of the oral and facial structures, often aided by advanced imaging technologies to ensure precision. The device, typically a Mandibular Advancement Splint, is crafted to gently reposition the jaw during sleep, thereby reducing airway obstruction. The benefits of such a custom device include improved airflow, reduced snoring, and enhanced sleep quality, leading to better overall health and daytime alertness.

What is a Mandibular Advancement Splint?

A MAS is an dental device made from the highest quality acrylic that positions your lower jaw into place to open up your airway while you sleep. These devices have been designed to offer solidity, comfort and quality.

6 Benefits of Wearing a Customised Mandibular Advancement Splint

• Permits full-lip seal, normal tongue space and fits comfortably in your mouth.
• It’s unlikely you will have a feeling of claustrophobia: a custom-made, state-of-the-art device made by our team will permit normal opening and closing of the mouth, drinking and speech.
• Our MAS devices are incrementally adjustable, providing comfort and improved tolerance.
• You will have stable and flat occlusion, which is specifically how your upper and lower teeth come together when the mouth is closed.
• Helps protect teeth if you grind them during sleep.
• Suitable for mouth breathers.

Why You Need a Custom-Made Splint Fitted by a Dentist

Comfort and retention are vital for successful treatment, and clinical research shows that custom-made, fitted devices significantly outperform generic, one-size-fits-all options typically sold online or over the counter. Since everyone has unique mouth and jaw shapes, a personalised device is essential. With prolonged use in mind, ensuring a proper fit is crucial for maximising health benefits and comfort.

What Happens at a Sleep Apnoea Consultation

What our qualified Dentists will do:

• Carefully review the history of your sleep condition
• Conduct a thorough examination of your teeth, jaw, mouth and neck
• Create a dental impression or cast of your mouth and teeth — this will be subsequently delivered to our specialist laboratory where the team will design and manufacture your bespoke device
• We will also take a bite registration, used to record the position that your teeth meet in. This will help us ascertain how far forward to gentle shift your jaw with the device
• Schedule follow-up visits to fit your device to ensure comfort and sufficient forward adjustment.

Take the Next Step to a Restful Night’s Sleep

Concerned that your nightly snoring might be a little more serious? Come and have a chat with us about sleep apnoea and find out how we can help you sleep better and feel better! Call our friendly team on (02) 9389 8578.

Children’s Dentist in Bondi Junction | (02) 9389 8578