Snoring and Sleep Apnoea

Living with someone who snores can be frustrating, but it may be a symptom of sleep apnoea. Sleep apnoea is a sleep disorder that is characterised by interrupted breathing and snoring. It can be a serious condition as the body is deprived of oxygen during sleep and sufferers frequently wake up feeling tired and unrested. This can affect general health which is why we urge any patient with snoring problems to book an appointment with us for diagnosis and treatment. We can carry out diagnostic tests, including a 3D cone beam airway analysis or we can refer you to an ENT specialist.

Treating Snoring and Sleep Apnoea with Oral Appliances

Patients with sleep apnoea are usually advised to use a continuous positive airway pressure (C-PAP) device. The whole kit includes a mask, tubes and a fan. The objective is to use air pressure to push your tongue forward and keep the throat unobstructed so that air can freely pass through. In cases, however, when the patient does not respond well to a C-PAP, or is generally inconvenienced by the hose, mask and compressor, snoring and sleep apnoea oral appliances may be used instead.

Snoring and sleep apnoea oral appliances are moulded devices to hold the tongue and the lower jaw forward and keep the airway open during sleep. By bringing the jaw forward, these devices elevate the soft palate or keep the tongue in place so it doesn’t block the airway. For further information on sleep apnoea treatment, please download; The Ins & Outs of Oral Appliance Therapy by clicking here.

For appointments, please call us on (07) 4191 4787. Our practice is located at 180 Main St, Kawungan QLD 4655.