A dentist cannot diagnose sleep apnoea — a sleep study does. What we can make is the oral device that treats mild to moderate cases.
Village Dental Kogarah offers custom oral appliance therapy for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) — a comfortable, CPAP-free alternative that keeps your airway open while you sleep. Your Village Dental dentist works with your sleep physician to design a mandibular advancement device fitted precisely to your bite, helping you breathe easier, sleep deeper, and wake more rested. Schedule your sleep apnoea consultation or call (02) 9281 0007.
Sleep apnoea is a common sleep disorder that affects millions of people worldwide, yet it often goes undiagnosed. It is a condition that causes a person to experience breathing interruptions during sleep, resulting in sleep disturbances and daytime fatigue. There are various forms of sleep apnoea, including obstructive sleep apnoea, central sleep apnoea, and complex sleep apnoea syndrome. While anyone can develop sleep apnoea, it is more common in people who are overweight, over the age of 40, or have a family history of the condition. If left untreated, sleep apnoea can lead to more severe health complications. However, with early detection and appropriate treatment, people with sleep apnoea can enjoy a better quality of life.
Oral appliance therapy at Village Dental Kogarah requires a confirmed sleep apnoea diagnosis from a sleep physician — we do not diagnose sleep apnoea. Once diagnosed, your Village Dental dentist designs a custom mandibular advancement device (MAD) that gently repositions your lower jaw forward during sleep, keeping the airway open. We coordinate with your sleep doctor to verify treatment effectiveness through follow-up sleep testing.
Reviewed by Dr. Anju Prajapati Maharjan · Village Dental, Kogarah NSW
Sleep apnoea is characterised by episodes of breathing cessation during sleep, which can cause a range of health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension. There are four types of sleep apnoea, each with unique causes and symptoms:
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA)
Obstructive sleep apnoea is the most common type of sleep apnoea. It occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat fail to keep the airway open during sleep. As a result, the individual may snore loudly, gasp for breath, and wake up frequently throughout the night. OSA is more common in individuals who are overweight, have a family history of sleep apnoea, or have a narrow airway.
Central Sleep Apnoea (CSA)
Central sleep apnoea is a less common type of sleep apnoea that occurs when the brain fails to send signals to the muscles that control breathing. As a result, the individual may experience pauses in breathing or shallow breaths during sleep. CSA is more common in individuals with certain medical conditions, such as heart failure or stroke.
Complex Sleep Apnoea Syndrome (CompSA)
Complex sleep apnoea syndrome is a relatively new type of sleep apnoea that combines the characteristics of both OSA and CSA. It occurs when an individual with OSA is treated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, but their central apnoeas persist. This condition is also known as treatment-emergent central sleep apnoea.
Mixed Sleep Apnoea:
Mixed sleep apnoea is a combination of obstructive and central sleep apnoea. It occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat partially block the airway, but the brain also fails to send signals to the muscles that control breathing. This type of sleep apnoea can be difficult to diagnose, as the symptoms can be similar to those of OSA or CSA.
More Questions about Sleep Apnoea?
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Sleep apnoea is a common sleep disorder that affects millions of people. Here are some common symptoms of sleep apnoea:
If you experience any of these symptoms or signs, it’s important to schedule a consultation at our Kogarah dental office to determine if a oral appliance is necessary.
Dentists can help with sleep apnoea by providing oral appliance therapy. Sleep apnoea is a sleep disorder in which a person’s breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. One type of sleep apnoea, called obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat fail to keep the airway open, causing breathing to stop for brief periods.
Oral appliance therapy involves using a custom-fitted oral appliance, similar to a mouthguard or retainer, to help keep the airway open during sleep. The appliance is worn in the mouth and works by repositioning the jaw or tongue to prevent the airway from collapsing. This can improve airflow and reduce the number of apnoea events that occur during the night.
Oral appliances are a non-invasive treatment option for sleep apnoea that can be used in place of or in addition to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. Here are some common types of oral appliances used to treat sleep apnoea:
Note that oral appliances may not be suitable for everyone with sleep apnoea. The appropriate type of appliance will depend on the individual’s specific needs and preferences, as well as the severity of their sleep apnoea. Contact our Village Dental Kogarah to schedule an appointment to explore your sleep apnoea options.
Sleep apnoea can lead to a range of health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. There are many factors that can affect the severity of sleep apnoea and understanding these factors can help individuals take steps to reduce their risk of developing sleep apnoea and manage the condition effectively.
Sleep apnoea is a common disorder that affects millions of people worldwide:
Custom oral appliances offer an effective alternative to CPAP for many sleep apnoea patients:
Oral appliances provide effective treatment for mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnoea without the noise, mask, and tubing of a CPAP machine.
Each oral appliance is custom-made from impressions of your teeth, ensuring a comfortable, secure fit that you can wear every night.
Small enough to fit in your pocket, oral appliances are easy to travel with and produce no noise — unlike CPAP machines.
By keeping the airway open, oral appliances reduce snoring, improve oxygen levels, and help you achieve deeper, more restorative sleep.
Untreated sleep apnoea increases risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Effective treatment with an oral appliance helps protect your overall health.
Sleep apnoea is a sleep disorder characterised by pauses in breathing or shallow breaths during sleep.
Common symptoms of sleep apnoea include loud snoring, pauses in breathing during sleep, daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, and dry mouth or sore throat upon waking.
MADs work by repositioning the lower jaw slightly forward to help keep the airway open.
TRDs are oral appliances that work by holding the tongue in a forward position to prevent it from blocking the airway during sleep.
Yes. At our Kogarah dental office we offer sleep apnoea treatment to patients in Kogarah and the surrounding area. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment.
"I can't tolerate my CPAP — is the oral appliance really an alternative?"
Yes. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends oral appliance therapy as a first-line treatment for mild to moderate OSA and for patients with severe OSA who cannot tolerate CPAP. The custom-fitted device is small, portable, silent, and requires no electricity — making it dramatically easier to use consistently than CPAP.
"Will the oral appliance change my bite?"
Long-term use of a mandibular advancement device can cause minor bite changes in some patients. Your Village Dental dentist monitors your bite at every follow-up visit and can adjust the appliance to minimise this effect. Morning jaw exercises are also prescribed to help reset the bite after overnight wear.
"Does my health fund cover oral appliance therapy?"
Cover for an oral appliance varies between health funds and may sit under dental or medical extras, so check your own policy first. It is generally claimable when prescribed by a sleep physician with a confirmed diagnosis. We help with insurance pre-authorisation and provide all required documentation to maximise your coverage.
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute dental or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Sleep apnoea must be diagnosed by a qualified sleep physician through a sleep study. Oral appliance therapy is one treatment option and may not be appropriate for all patients. Untreated sleep apnoea carries serious health risks. Consult your Village Dental dentist and your sleep physician regarding treatment options. Individual results may vary.
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