Sleep Apnea

Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnoea

Eventhough in most cases, snoring is just an unpleasant sound, it can also indicate the presence of a disorder: Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome (OSAS).

OSAS is characterised by repeated periods of apnoea, more than 5 times an hour. Obstructive Sleep Apnoea is caused by closure of the throat during sleep, causing brief awakening and broken sleep.

OSAS warning signs

• Asthenia and excessive daytime sleepiness
• Nightly snoring
• Choking or feeling suffocated and repeated waking from sleep
• Non-restorative sleep, concentration problems
• Nocturia (urinating more than once a night)
• Irritabilty, personality changes, depression
• Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux ( GORD)

The severity of the snoring or OSA will dictate the patient’s suitability to receive an oral device.

A lengthy medical and dental questionnaire will be handed out to you and completed in the Dental Practice so that we can assess each patient and recommend the best treatment options.

This may require Contacting your General medical practitioner or Respiratory Physician.

A Mandibular Repositioning Device (MRD)

is a custom made Dental Appliance that protrudes your lower jaw, preventive or minimising upper airway collapse during sleep.

There  are several types of MRD.

Other factors such as allergic rhinitis must be assessed

Not everyone is suitable to wear a MRD.

• Wearing a MRD can have short term and medium term side effects
• Patients with severe OSA
• MRD can be worn in combination with nCPAP (nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure).