Sleep Apnoea Therapy

Sleep apnoea is a condition in which a person stops breathing for small increments of time while sleeping. The word “apnoea” means “ceasing to breathe”. We offer SomnoMed devices that can help reduce or eliminate problems associated with sleep apnoea.

You may not realise that you have sleep apnoea because it happens while you’re asleep. One warning sign can be chronic snoring. As the muscles in the throat begin to relax the tissues can vibrate with each breath, causing snoring. While snoring doesn’t mean you have sleep apnoea, many sleep apnoea patients also snore.

SomnoMed’s sleep apnoea treatment devices use comfortable, durable material to help keep your airway unobstructed while you sleep. Your dentist will show you several options & help you decide what one is right for you. Soft material & a drop-in fit make them easy to use & their slim, minimal design means they are easy to sleep in too. The devices will work even with short teeth or teeth that have had extensive dental work & do not lead to tooth enamel loss or bad breath.

Wearing these devices can lead to a better night’s sleep, feeling rested & ready for the day. They can also eliminate snoring & reduce the risk of issues that apnoea contributes to, such as acid reflux & mental health issues.

Procedure Overview

While your regular physician is the one who diagnoses sleep apnoea & can prescribe treatment, there are also ways that the dentist can help. The most common therapy for sleep apnoea is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), which involves a machine that pumps a constant flow of air into your airways while you wear a mask. As you can imagine, this solution can be uncomfortable & awkward to sleep with & get used to, not to mention the sanitation effort that goes into maintaining a breathing machine at home.

Dentistry has come up with another solution. SomnoMed devices resemble sports mouthguards & can keep the lower jaw in a position that prevents the muscles of your tongue & upper throat from collapsing into your airway. Your dentist can find the correct fit for you in just a few minutes & will provide simple instructions on its use.

If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnoea, we can work with you & your doctor to come up with a plan for a dental device that will keep you breathing easily through the night.