Snoring is a common problem for many people these days. It happens when the muscles and soft tissues in the throat and mouth relax resulting in narrowing of the air passage. This narrowing makes it harder for each breath to get through and when the breath does get through, it results in the snoring sound.

What are the causes of snoring?

• Excessive body weight

• Alcohol consumption

• Certain sleep aids or sedatives

• Obstructive sleep apnoea

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA)

Three quarters of excessive snorers suffer from obstructive sleep apnoea. It is a condition in which breathing stops periodically. When one stops breathing, lack of oxygen alerts the brain, which temporarily wakes the person to restart the breathing. Most people with sleep apnoea do not remember the wake period, as it is very brief. This constant multiple wake/sleep cycles/episodes do not let a person achieve deep sleep and induces a constant drowsy feeling throughout the day. Severe cases of sleep apnoea can record wake/sleep episodes as frequent as 80 times per hour. OSA is more common in males than females and more common in older adults (40+) than younger adults and children.

What are the signs of Sleep Apnoea?

• Insomnia or difficulty sleeping

• Loud snoring at night

• Waking up at night short of breath

• Snorting or choking sounds during sleep

• Headaches in the morning

• Drowsiness during the day

What are the risk factors for Sleep Apnoea?

• Obesity

• Smoking

• Sleeping on your back

• Alcohol Consumption

• Sedative or certain sleep aids

Is Sleep Apnoea dangerous?

It is a serious medical problem and if left untreated leads to increased risk of developing high blood pressure, heart failure and stroke. The ongoing state of fatigue can cause problems at work or school and it can be extremely dangerous to drive or operate heavy machinery when suffering from obstructive sleep apnoea. OSA has the potential to cause complications with medications, surgery and anaesthesia during surgery and lying flat on bed after an operation.

How are Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnoea treated?

We will refer you to a sleep physician who almost certainly will organise a sleep study and make recommendations.

Treatment of snoring depends on the individual case and needs. Basic treatment is behavioural. Patients are instructed to lose weight, stop smoking and sleep on their side. Oral Appliances are the best available treatment for non-sleep apnoea related snoring. Altona Pines Dental uses cutting edge technology and high quality 3D printed nylon material for the fabrication of Mandibular Advancement Devices. Some designs will even allow you to open and close your mouth and lips when you wear them. Custom made to the soft tissues and contours of your mouth; the oral appliances are comfortable to wear. You may experience slight discomfort in your jaw for the first few mornings after wearing the device at night; this feeling is temporary and will disappear in few days.

For obstructive sleep apnoea cases, based on the sleep study test results and severity of the sleep apnoea, CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine, Mandibular Advancement Device (custom made by your dentist) or surgery (jaw advancement) may be recommended by your Sleep Physician.

There is existing evidence indicating that oral appliances are an effective treatment option for mild to moderate cases of OSA, especially when patient has not been able to tolerate CPAP treatment:

*Oral appliance therapy in obstructive sleep apnoea and snoring- systematic review and new directions of development

Ilea, Timus,Hopken et al

CRANIO Oct 2019