Anti-Snoring Treatment
Snoring can be devastating to you or your partner’s ability to get a good nights sleep. We offer an innovative solution in the form of the sleepwell appliance .
What is Snoring?
Snoring is more than just a disruptive noise at night. It is caused by the partial blockage of the upper airway while you sleep. When the tongue falls back to partially cover the airway, a snoring sound is caused as the soft parts at the back of the throat vibrate when air passes by.
Certain factors can increase the likelihood of snoring, such as: weight, age, gender, alcohol, smoking and sleeping position. Middle-aged men are three times more likely to suffer from snoring than their female counterpart.
Ranging from 50-100 decibels, the equivalent of a pneumatic drill, snoring can lead to relationship issues, exhaustion, increased stress and depression. In some cases, though not all, snoring can also be indicative of a condition called Obstructive Sleep Apnoea – a potentially life-threatening condition if left untreated.
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA)?
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is caused by the repeated collapsing of the airway during sleep, resulting in complete (apnoea) or partial (hypopnoea) obstruction of the airflow for 10 seconds or more. To a bed partner, these episodes can be identified as the sufferer stopping breathing during the night, often waking themselves up with a snort or gasp.
Left untreated, these regular disruptions to sleep can lead to serious consequences for the sufferer – and their bed partner – including: increased blood pressure, heightened risk of cardiovascular disease, strokes, diabetes and excessive daytime sleepiness.
How can my dentist help?
Our friendly dentists trained in dental sleep medicine will give you a short questionnaire to assess your risk of suffering from OSA when they begin treatment for snoring. Depending on the results generated from this, you may be prescribed an appliance called a Mandibular Advancement Splint (MAS), or be referred on for a sleep study.
Worn during sleep, a MAS works to prevent the closure of the airway by holding the lower jaw in a forward position. This keeps the airway open and unobstructed during sleep – preventing the snoring from occurring.
There are many MAS appliances available on the market, including some available over the counter. However, a bespoke MAS from a dental professional is the best option for those seeking this kind of treatment.
What is The Sleepwell Appliance?
The Sleepwell is the most clinically proven MAS for the treatment of snoring and mild to moderate OSA. It is the most patient friendly MAS on the market and high levels of patient comfort meant that, during clinical trials, 98% of patients found the device acceptable.
Features include:
