If snoring or sleep apnoea is affecting your sleep, energy or quality of life, a simple, custom-made oral appliance may help you get a better night’s sleep.
If snoring or sleep apnoea is affecting your sleep, energy or quality of life, a simple, custom-made oral appliance may help you get a better night’s sleep.
Snoring can be a common part of sleep, but persistent or loud snoring may sometimes be a sign of something more. It can be linked to obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), a condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts while you sleep.
If snoring or OSA is affecting your sleep, you may notice daytime tiredness, difficulty concentrating, or changes in your mood. Over time, untreated OSA can also affect your overall wellbeing, including your oral health.
If you snore regularly or have been diagnosed with sleep apnoea, there are treatment options available to help you breathe more comfortably and sleep more soundly. And while CPAP can be effective, it’s not the only option.
OSA is a common sleep disorder, caused when the upper airways close during sleep and stop the airflow. Signs you might have OSA include:
OSA can affect more than your sleep. Studies have found that if left untreated, OSA can contribute to a range of broader health concerns, such as high blood pressure, heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Your dentist can help screen for signs that may suggest sleep apnoea and be part of the team that helps you manage it.
A Mandibular Advancement Splint (MAS) is an oral appliance that can help treat snoring or mild to moderate OSA. The custom-made device fits over the upper and lower teeth and is worn while sleeping to gently move the lower jaw and tongue forward. This prevents the airway from blocking, allowing you to breathe easier. Small, discreet and designed to fit comfortably into your life, the benefits include:
At Harpley Dental, we use SomnoDent Avant® appliance, known for a more comfortable experience during sleep.
Individually fitted to your teeth and bite, making it easy to wear.
SomnoDent Avant® appliance comes with a 3-year warranty.
Tell us if your appliance is not fitting comfortably as it should, and we’ll look at it for you.
Compact and convenient for weekends away or overseas trips.
If you struggle with snoring or are fed up with waking up feeling tired, let’s find out if a Mandibular Advancement Splint can help provide a more restful night’s sleep.
We’ll chat about your snoring, sleep, any symptoms you’ve noticed and whether you’ve already been assessed or diagnosed with sleep apnoea.
A thorough examination of your teeth, gums, jaw and bite will determine whether a Mandibular Advancement Splint may be suitable.
Once it’s ready, we’ll check the fit and make any necessary adjustments to ensure a precise and comfortable fit.
We don’t ‘fit and forget’, we’ll monitor your progress to help you get the best possible results.
No doubt snoring or sleep apnoea has already left you feeling exhausted. Figuring out a solution shouldn’t add to the stress. At Harpley Dental, we’ll explain your options simply, in a gentle, supportive space with clear guidance at every step.
We offer a range of payment options to help make dental care more accessible for you and your family.
Snoring happens when the tissues in your throat relax and vibrate as air moves past them while you sleep. There are several reasons for snoring including your sleeping position, the anatomy of your mouth and airway, nasal congestion, alcohol and weight.
Particularly when snoring is loud or accompanied by pauses in breathing, it may be a sign of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).
Sleep apnoea symptoms can look a little different for everyone. Common signs include loud snoring, pauses in breathing or gasping during sleep, waking with a dry mouth or headache, restless sleep and feeling tired or foggy during the day.
Because many symptoms happen while you’re asleep, it’s often a partner who notices them first. If you’re concerned, it’s worth speaking with your GP about further assessment.
It depends. For some people, changes such as sleeping on their side, reducing alcohol consumption, managing nasal congestion or addressing weight may help.
For others, a custom mandibular advancement splint (MAS) may be an option. If you’re looking for snoring treatment in Werribee, we can assess your teeth, jaw and bite and discuss whether an oral appliance may be suitable for you.
Yes, obstructive sleep apnoea needs to be properly assessed and diagnosed rather than relying on snoring or other symptoms alone. A sleep study monitors what happens while you sleep and can help determine whether you have OSA and how severe it is.
Your GP or sleep physician can guide you through diagnosis. Once you have been assessed, we can work alongside your healthcare team to find out whether an oral appliance is an appropriate treatment option.
For suitable patients, yes. Mandibular advancement splints are an established treatment option for snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea. They work by gently bringing the lower jaw forward while you sleep, helping to keep the airway more open.
Whether a MAS is right for you will depend on factors including the severity of your OSA, your oral health and your individual circumstances. If you’re exploring sleep apnoea treatment in Werribee, we’ll talk you through your options and whether a SomnoMed appliance may be appropriate.
It’s worth seeking advice if your snoring is persistent, getting worse or affecting your or your partner’s sleep. You should also speak with your GP if someone notices you stop breathing, gasp or choke during sleep, or if you regularly wake feeling unrefreshed despite getting enough hours in bed.
You don’t have to put up with poor sleep. Getting the cause properly assessed is the first step towards finding the right treatment.
No. Your dentist can recognise potential signs and risk factors, but obstructive sleep apnoea requires appropriate medical assessment and diagnosis.
Where dentists can play an important role is in treatment. For suitable patients who have been assessed for OSA, we can provide a custom-made mandibular advancement splint and work alongside your GP or sleep physician as part of your ongoing care.
No. While you might hear an oral appliance described as a sleep apnoea mouth guard or snoring mouth guard, a mandibular advancement splint has a very different job from the mouthguard you might wear for sport.
Your SomnoMed appliance is custom-made to your mouth and designed to gently position your lower jaw forward while you sleep, helping to keep your airway open.
For some people, it can be. CPAP remains an important and highly effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea, but a mandibular advancement splint may be recommended for certain patients, including some people with mild to moderate OSA.
The right treatment depends on your diagnosis and individual circumstances. If you’re considering sleep apnoea treatment in Harpley, we’ll work with you and your medical or sleep team to find an appropriate approach.
