Sleep Apnoea Treatment Port Macquarie
Healthier Sleep for Healthier Smiles
Loud snoring leaving you feeling tired during the day? Find out the causes of sleep apnoea, how to recognise the symptoms, and what you can do to help yourself or a loved one.
Sleep apnoea is a potentially serious sleep disorder wherein breathing is repeatedly interrupted during sleep. If you snore loudly and don’t feel as energetic, mentally sharp, or productive during the day as you should, you might have sleep apnoea.
Types of Sleep Apnoea
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea
The most common type of sleep apnoea, caused by a blockage of the airway, when the soft tissue at the back of the throat relaxes while sleeping.
Central Sleep Apnoea
The airway is not blocked, but the brain fails to signal the muscles that control breathing.
Complex Sleep Apnoea
A combination of both obstructive sleep apnoea and central sleep apnoea.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnoea
The most common symptom of sleep apnoea is snoring. However, not everyone who snores has sleep apnoea. Snoring is likely to be a sign of sleep apnoea when it is followed by silent breathing pauses and choking or gasping sounds.
People with sleep apnoea often have daytime sleepiness or fatigue.
Common symptoms of sleep apnoea include:
- Loud or frequent snoring
- Silent pauses in breathing
- Choking or gasping sounds
- Daytime sleepiness or fatigue
- Unrefreshing sleep
- Insomnia
- Morning headaches
- Waking during the night to go to the bathroom (Nocturia)
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory loss
- Decreased sexual desire
- Irritability
Risk Factors for Sleep Apnoea
Risk factors for sleep apnoea include:
Being male. Men are 2-3 times more likely to have sleep apnoea than women. However, women increase their risk if they are overweight, and their risk also appears to increase after menopause.
Being overweight. Obesity greatly increases the risk of sleep apnoea. Fat deposits around your upper airway can block the airway.
Being over age 40. Sleep apnoea occurs more often in older people.
Having a large neck size. People with thicker necks may have narrower airways.
Having a family history of sleep apnoea. Having family members with sleep apnoea might increase your risk.
Nasal obstruction. If you have difficulty breathing through your nose —from an anatomical problem or allergies — you’re more likely to develop obstructive sleep apnoea.
Treatment at Port Macquarie Dental Centre
Sleep Apnoea Oral Appliance: SomnoDent
A SomnoDent sleep apnoea oral appliance is a premium, custom-fitted dental device developed for the treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea.
It is an effective, comfortable, and durable alternative to CPAP treatment or surgery.
By wearing a SomnoDent during sleep, your lower jaw will be moved forward into a more comfortable position, promoting relaxation of the tissues at the back of your throat and making sure the base of your tongue does not collapse and block your airway, giving you a safe and undisturbed sleep.
Is a SomnoDent Sleep Apnoea Oral Appliance Right for Me?
Many have discovered SomnoDent to be the perfect solution for ending snoring, treating sleep apnoea and/or improving the quality of sleep.
It is an ideal alternative treatment for those who have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnoea yet are unable or unwilling to tolerate CPAP treatment and/or surgery.
The SomnoDent Difference
Effective: 91% of patients reported improvement in their sleep quality.
Highest Quality: Customised using the highest quality acrylic which does not discolour or attract odours.
Custom-fit: Manufactured using dental impressions of your teeth, ensuring an effortless, custom-fit just for your mouth.
Non-Restrictive in Movement: Fully open and close your mouth, yawn, drink, take oral medication and even speak clearly, ideal for claustrophobic patients.
Easily Adjustable: Unlimited in protrusive advancement, advance your lower jaw as forward as possible when wearing the device.
Highly Adaptable: For patients with missing teeth, crowns, bridgework or full upper dentures, SomnoDent can be adapted to fit your mouth structure.
Patient Compliance: 88% of patients reported regular usage of their SomnoDent device.
Enduring Durability: SomnoDent is one of the strongest appliances currently available, making it an ideal treatment option for all patients, especially teeth grinders.
Clinically Proven: 15+ independent studies demonstrate the SomnoDent’s significant clinical benefits.
Combination Use: SomnoDent can be used as a companion to your CPAP for combination treatment, allowing simpler mask fitting, reduced CPAP pressure and a compact alternative for travelling.
Sleep Apnoea Treatment in Port Macquarie
If you think you might have sleep apnoea, see your Port Macquarie dentist. Treatment can alleviate your symptoms and might help prevent more severe problems such as heart problems and other complications.
Sleep Apnoea Treatment in Port Macquarie
Call us on (02) 6105 9853 or book your appointment online.
We are located at 38 Buller St in Port Macquarie.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is sleep apnoea?
Sleep apnoea is a medical condition that causes a person to stop breathing while asleep. These interruptions of oxygen cause a wide variety of symptoms and are linked to some serious conditions.