Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is a condition where breathing is repeatedly interrupted during sleep due to a collapse of the upper airway
How is Obstructive Sleep Apnoea diagnosed?
In order to achieve an accurate diagnosis for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea, you will be required to undertake a sleep study. This involves the monitoring of your sleep and recording of your breathing, snoring, oxygen levels, brain and heart activity, body position, and body movements throughout a normal night’s sleep. Recent advances in technology mean that, in most cases, this study can be performed in the comfort of your own home. Severe cases may still require an overnight study in a hospital setting. The results of your sleep study are sent to a sleep physician who provides a report to your treating dentist. Out-of-pocket fee for the study is normally $200-$300.
Once your sleep study results are reviewed by your dentist and you are found to be a suitable candidate for treatment, we will begin the steps to design and fabricate your Mandibular Advancement Splint.
What is a Mandibular Advancement Splint?
A mandibular advancement splint (MAS) is a device used for the treatment of snoring and OSA. It is custom-made and worn similar to mouthguards.
At Smile Solutions we provide our patients with advanced custom Nylon Splints to ensure maximum comfort while you sleep. The superior choice in sleep appliances, the lightweight and thin design allows patients to open and close their mouth comfortably, speak easily and sip water without needing to remove their splint. Unlike acrylic resin appliances, our durable Nylon splints are less prone to fractures.
Fitted to your teeth during sleep, the split works by moving the lower jaw forward from its natural position, opening up the airways, and greatly reducing the risk of airway obstruction and snoring.
How is a Mandibular Advancement Splint made?
The first step is to undergo a custom a thorough examination of your teeth. This is to ensure that any required dental treatment is completed prior to fabrication of your new OSA device, as postponing this may affect the fit of the splint.
To construct your splint, we will perform a digital scan of your teeth and bite with the latest in impression-free technology. This involves a comfortable hand-held scanner that delivers accuracy and speed in developing a digital imprint of your mouth and allows us to send this to your lab for processing. No messy dental moulds, just a short appointment for a scan, and you’re on your way to having your splint fabricated. Your dentist will provide detailed instructions to the laboratory and they will construct your custom fit OSA splint in just over two weeks.
The final step is the insert appointment, where your dentist will make sure that your device fits perfectly, in addition to providing you with instructions on how to use your splint to the best of its ability. There are a number of different styles of mandibular advancement splints. Your treating dentist will discuss these with you and choose a style that best suits your mouth and jaw, and your symptoms.
OSA can increase your risk of:
- Irregular heartbeat
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Stroke
- Heart attacks
- Reduced blood oxygen levels
Decrease risk factors by:
- Maintain a healthy body weight
- Avoid drinking alcohol
- Avoid smoking
- Seek treatment for allergies that affect airways
- Sleep on your side rather than on your back
Laser dentistry to treat obstructive sleep apnoea
Laser therapy offers a non-invasive approach to treating sleep apnoea by reshaping the soft tissue in the throat, helping to widen the airway and reduce obstruction, which can improve breathing during sleep. It offers an alternative treatment to traditional CPAP machines or surgical interventions, offering potential benefits such as reduced snoring and improved quality of sleep.
Who will treat my obstructive sleep apnoea?
Frequently Asked Questions
While snoring affects your quality of sleep, it can also affect the lives of those around you. Snoring, alone, does not indicate obstructive sleep apnoea, but a mandibular advancement splint may still be the answer. Snoring is often caused by a blockage in the airway and a mandibular advancement splint can help open your airway, reducing your chances of snoring and improving your quality of life and that of those close to you, including your partner or family.
- Tenderness or discomfort in teeth and jaw joints
- Excess saliva production
- Temporary or permanent changes to the position of teeth and occlusion (bite)
- Irritation of the soft tissue of the mouth
During your consultation, your dentist will discuss a personalised treatment plan with you, including the cost of the overall treatment. You will also be provided with the relevant item numbers which allow you to take the quote to your health fund to determine your coverage.
Continued Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)
Continued Positive Airway pressure involves wearing a mask attached to a unit that delivers air pumped under pressure forcing the airway open during sleep. CPAP is the treatment of choice in severe cases of obstructive sleep apnoea, however some may find it difficult to tolerate.
Surgery
A number of surgical procedures are sometimes considered, including surgery to open breathing passages in the nose, removal of tonsils or excess tissue at the back of the throat, reduction of tongue size, or surgery to bring the upper or lower jaw forward.