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On 09/07/201518/04/2021By Dr Neda GorjiIn Dental Technologies

By: Dr Neda Gorji

Snoring and Sleep Apnoea Park St Dental Practice Sydney Northern Beaches Mona Vale

Snoring and Sleep Apnoea 

By definition, snoring and sleep apnoea is a disorder in which breathing is repeatedly interrupted during sleep. Obstructive Sleep Apnoea is the repeated episodes of partial or complete obstruction of the throat (upper airway) during sleep. A narrow floppy throat vibrates during sleep, which causes snoring.

Combined Snoring and Sleep Apnoea occurs in an estimated 24% of middle-aged males and 9% of middle-aged females and also many children.

Repeated fragmentation of sleep from snoring and sleep apnoea results in poor quality of sleep, and symptoms of sleep deprivation. Apart from daytime sleepiness and tiredness, which does not necessarily relate to the severity of the snoring and  sleep apnoea, there are a wide range of health concerns including but not limited to:

Impaired Cognitive function resulting in depression, learning and memory difficulties, personality changes, and mood disorder. morning headaches. Decreased libido and impotence in men can result from snoring and sleep apnoea. Sleep apnoea can also increase the driving risk and poor work performance.

Snoring and Sleep Apnoea are linked to several cardiovascular complications including hypertension, insulin resistance, heart attack, cardiac arrhythmia and stroke.

In children, snoring and sleep apnoea is associated with many symptoms: sweating or bed wetting at night, open mouth breathing, tiredness, short attention span, poor academic performance, behavioral problems and growth complications. Poor breathing in children may lead to facial structural abnormalities and teeth misalignment which significantly affect the future individual’s physiological and psychological status.

Assessment and treatment of the snoring and sleep apnoea can significantly improve the individuals quality of life.

Snoring and Sleep Apnoea Park St Dental Practice Sydney Northern Beaches Mona Vale1

Treatment of Snoring and Sleep Apnoea:

 

 Continuous Positive Air Pressure (CPAP)

This is the “gold standard” treatment for snoring and sleep apnoea but cumbersome with low compliance. Delivered via a nasal or oro-nasal mask, pressured air is used to open the floppy upper airway. It is not comfortable to use and socially not very pleasant.

 

Snoring and Sleep Apnoea CPAP Park St Dental Practice Sydney Northern Beaches Mona Vale

Surgery

Whilst this used to be a very popular treatment for snoring and sleep apnoea , its use now is much more limited. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is an invasive surgical procedure to cut and remove the excessive tissue from the back of the mouth and open the upper airway. It may improve snoring but it is less likely to cure obstructive sleep apnoea. Tonsillectomy is most effective when the patient has large tonsils. Nasal surgery may be considered in case of nasal obstruction. More extensive procedures might be indicated for individuals where craniofacial abnormalities are impinging on the upper airway.

 

Mandibular Advancement Splints (MAS)

Mandibular Advancement Splints are dental appliances, fabricated by a qualified dentist and customised for each patient based on their need. The splints work by holding the mandible Forward and keeping the airway open.

Oral splints are very conservative and effective treatment for snoring and sleep apnoea and have a high level of patient’s compliance. MAS oral splints are very effective in treatment of snoring and sleep apnoea( mild and even moderate).

If you know someone who is suffering from  snoring and sleep apnoea, you can refer them to us at Park St Dental Practice. We are proud of treating children and adults for snoring and sleep apnoea; a rewarding treatment which significantly enhances the quality of life.