St John of God Hospital, Subiaco Clinic
Telephone: 1300 176673
SNORING AND SLEEP APNOEA TREATMENT
At The Snoring Clinic, we welcome all new patients. Our practice is limited to the treatment of Oral Appliance Therapy for Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnoea. Treatments are scientifically proven, effective and comfortable.
SNORING TREATMENT
Snoring is the repetitive harsh noise you hear when a snorer inhales during sleep causing vibration of the soft or floppy parts at the back of the throat. Snoring is associated with a partial collapse of the airway and obstruction to air flow. Over 40% of adults snore and the noise can place great stress on relationships, affecting the individual as well as the sleep of partners, family members, and friends during travel or trips away. Loud snoring can also disrupt sleep patterns with a significant effect upon your quality of life.
As you fall asleep, the soft tissues at the back of the throat, the muscles that line the airway, and the tongue muscles all relax. As this occurs, particularly if sleeping on the back, the tongue drops back into the airway which causes it to narrow. As air passes through this narrower airway, it moves faster and causes the soft palate and uvula to vibrate against the back of the throat or the base of the tongue which creates a rattling or snoring sound.
SLEEP APNOEA TREATMENT
Many people who snore have a disorder known as obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) when breathing stops periodically during sleep. This is due to the soft tissues in the throat, including the tongue, falling backwards and obstructing the airway. Normal breathing slows or stops completely causing blood oxygen levels to drop. The brain senses this and needing oxygen acts to arouse the person from deep relaxed sleep. With arousal, muscle tone returns, allowing the airway to open again, usually with a loud gasp, and breathing begins again. Unfortunately when a person with OSA falls back into deep sleep the muscles relax again and the cycle repeats itself again and again over the course of the night. In OSA the apnoeas can last 10 or more seconds and this cycle of apnoea-obstruction and breathing can be repeated hundreds of times per night in severe cases.
The classic picture of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea includes episodes of heavy snoring that begin soon after falling asleep. The snoring proceeds at a regular pace for a period of time, often becoming louder, but is then interrupted by a long silent period during which no breathing is taking place (apnoea). The person struggles to breathe and the apnoea is then interrupted by a loud snort or gasp after which the snoring returns to its regular pace.
DENTAL DEVICE FOR SNORING AND SLEEP APNOEA
Dental Devices have been scientifically proven to be the most comfortable and effective treatment for snoring (and mild to moderate sleep apnoea). These devices work by gently holding the lower jaw forward thereby preventing the back of the throat and the base of the tongue from collapsing back into the airway during sleep. This enables the clear flow of air into the lungs.
There are many different devices available to dentists. They are often referred to as Mandibular Advancement Splints. For these devices to be effective and comfortable they must be individually selected and custom made for each and every patient. Scientifically proven, comfortable and long-lasting. At The Snoring Clinic, we use only those devices which have been scientifically proven to be the most effective and the most comfortable.