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Apnoea vs snoring: learn the difference and explore treatment options in Moonee Ponds

Posted By: | Published On: | Sleep Apnoea

In recent years, sleep apnoea has made many headlines in health news. Scientific research has linked it to conditions ranging from heart attacks to diabetes, and even an increased risk of road accidents due to fatigue. Yet, it has few obvious symptoms aside from snoring. Understandably, many chronic snorers are wondering if they should be worried, and what their treatment options might be. Those in Moonee Ponds, Sunbury, and nearby communities can turn to the trusted team at Smile in Style for answers, guidance, and treatment using an innovative oral appliance.

Snoring Treatment Options at Smile in Style in Moonee Ponds Area

Is it snoring or sleep apnoea?

In deep sleep, muscles – including those supporting the airway – enter a state of enhanced relaxation. Essentially, snoring is the sound of breathing through a slightly restricted airway. Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is what happens if the airway is severely restricted, to the point that it is blocked and breathing stops. Typically breathing can stop for 10 seconds to one minute.

During the time that breathing stops, the brain recognises oxygen deprivation and begins to wake. Usually, muscles become taut as the person goes from deep to light sleep, and breathing resumes, usually accompanied by loud snoring. As oxygen intake resumes, the person can relax and slip back into deeper sleep. Again, the airway collapses, breathing ceases, and the cycle starts over and over again.

Generally, a person afflicted with sleep apnoea will not fully wake up between episodes, and therefore never realises that  there is a problem. Even another person in the same room is unlikely to notice the interruptions in breathing because they can be so brief. However, the snoring that accompanies such events is quite noticeable.

Some of the most common symptoms include:

  • Loud, intermittent snoring
  • Gasping or choking during sleep
  • Insomnia
  • Frequently waking to go to the toilet
  • Fatigue and daytime sleepiness
  • Sore throat, dry mouth at night
  • Morning headaches
  • Difficulty concentrating, brain fog
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Sunbury Office
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Diagnosis of sleep apnoea requires an overnight sleep study.  This can be performed either at a sleep centre or our patients can be fitted with a  sleep study kit and can do the sleep study at home.

Solutions for better sleep

Solutions for Better Sleep at Smile in Style in Moonee Ponds Area

Snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea both originate with airway restriction. Therefore, the solution to either problem is to keep the airway open. This can be accomplished in several ways.

The first line of treatment for sleep apnoea is lifestyle changes. Sometimes, losing weight and reducing alcohol consumption at night can help.

For severe sleep apnoea, often the treatment is CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure), where a machine forces air into the breathing passage via tubes to keep the airways open. This treatment often has a low compliance rate as it is uncomfortable to wear while sleeping and can lead to a dry mouth. Furthermore, many sleep apnoea sufferers are looking for a more comfortable, less cumbersome treatment option.

At the other end of the spectrum is nasal strips, a popular over-the-counter snoring remedy. While they may improve snoring in some cases, they are not considered an effective treatment for sleep apnoea. Additionally, some snorers see little to no improvement from nasal strips.

Dr. Rose and the team at Smile in Style are proud to offer oral appliances for sleep apnoea and snoring. They are individually made and designed to support the airway in its optimal position, allowing you to breathe freely and naturally. The benefits of oral appliances include:

  • May be used for snoring or for sleep apnoea
  • Small and light enough to fit in your pocket
  • No cords or tubes
  • Convenient for travel, no electricity needed

Are you a candidate for oral appliance therapy?

Every person is different, and no single treatment is right for everyone. The best choice depends on the nature and severity of your sleep apnoea. Please call Smile in Style at 03 8001 6021 (Sunbury) or 03 8400 4104 (Moonee Ponds) and schedule a consultation to discuss your options or book online at our website www.smileinstyle.com.au

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Throughout our site, you will find valuable information about our services that will help you get to know us better. It is our mission to create beautiful white healthy smiles using the latest technologies. Our experienced Dentists and staff aim for lifelong relationships with our patients, providing relevant dental education and continual care throughout life. Here, you can learn more about the various dental conditions that may develop and the ways in which we treat them.
Some of the services you can expect to find at Smile in Style include: Our goal is to work together with you to achieve your healthiest, most attractive smile, whilst ensuring your comfort and satisfaction.

Safe Amalgam Removal Protocol

  • Chlorella drink prior is given prior to treatment and a mouth rinse post-treatment. Chlorella can help bind and prevent mercury absorption.
  • Physical protective barriers - Masks, protective coverings, eyewear, in-mouth non-latex dental dams, and other steps are taken to prevent physical contact with mercury for the patient and staff.
  • Oral evacuation - Generous amounts of water are used to continuously rinse particulate matter from the mouth while suctioning it away. Combined with protective dental dams, this prevents patients from swallowing dental amalgam particles during treatment. Additionally, the rinsing helps lower the temperature of the filling, reducing the amount of mercury vapour released.
  • External air - A continuous supply of non-contaminated air or oxygen is delivered via a mask or similar apparatus, preventing inhalation of mercury vapour or particles.
  • "Chunk it out" method - Rather than using a drill to grind the filling down, it is carefully removed in the largest possible pieces, minimising friction, vaporisation.
  • High Volume Evacuation Suction is used by the dental assistant to remove amalgam particles in the mouth.
  • High Volume Air suction and Air Purifiers are used in the clinical room that is able to remove mercury vapour from the room.
  • Amalgam separator use - This device collects mercury-contaminated waste before it can enter the sewage system, allowing us to dispose of it safely.