Dental Devices For Sleep Apnoea

Sleep apnoea affects the way you breathe when you’re sleeping.

In untreated sleep apnoea, breathing is briefly interrupted or becomes very shallow during sleep. These breathing pauses typically last between 10 to 20 seconds and can occur up to hundreds of times a night, jolting you out of your natural sleep rhythm. But with treatment you can control the symptoms, get your sleep back on track, and start enjoy being refreshed and alert every day.

Other common signs and symptoms of sleep apnoea:
Morning headaches
Memory or learning problems and not being able to concentrate
Feeling irritable, depressed, or having mood swings or personality changes
Waking up frequently to urinate
Dry mouth or sore throat when you wake up

Most dental devices are acrylic and fit inside your mouth, much like an athletic mouth guard. Others fit around your head and chin to adjust the position of your lower jaw. Two common oral devices are a mandibular (lower jaw) re-positioning device and a tongue retaining device.

It is important to get a device fitted by a dentist specialising in sleep apnoea, and to see the dentist on a regular basis for any subsequent dental problems which may occur. You may also need to periodically have your dentist adjust the mouthpiece to ensure it continues to fit well. Your GP may also suggest you try continuous positive airway pressure this involves using a machine and face mask to blow pressurised air into your mouth and nose.

These devices open your airway by bringing your lower jaw or your tongue forward during sleep. Dental devices are only effective for mild to moderate sleep apnoea.

There are also a number of side effects from using this type of treatment, including soreness, saliva build-up, nausea, and damage or permanent change in position of the jaw, teeth, and mouth.