Sleep Apnea Therapy – Kew, Melbourne, VIC
Sleep apnea is a condition in which a person stops breathing for small increments of time while sleeping. The word “apnea” means “ceasing to breathe”. We offer SomnoMed devices that can help reduce or eliminate problems associated with sleep apnea.
Money-back guarantee on all SomnoMed Sleep apnea devices. If you don’t like it within three months, bring it back undamaged and we will provide a full refund.
You may not realise that you have sleep apnea because it happens while you’re asleep. One warning sign can be chronic snoring. As the muscles in the throat begin to relax the tissues can vibrate with each breath, causing snoring. While snoring doesn’t mean you have sleep apnea, many sleep apnea patients also snore.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive Sleep apnea is when your airway becomes blocked while you’re sleeping. This usually occurs when the muscles in your throat relax too much, allowing the tissues of your tongue and throat to temporarily collapse. Even though you’re asleep, your brain reacts to this momentary suffocation and wakes you up just enough to get you breathing again. However, the moment you fully relax again, the pattern of sleep apnea can continue.
This cycle can happen hundreds of times per night and results in disturbed sleep that leaves people feeling drowsy and unrested. Recent studies have linked sleep apnea to serious side effects such as cognitive impairment, cardiovascular problems, diabetes, acid reflux and more.
Sleep Apnea Therapy With SomnoMed
SomnoMed’s sleep apnea treatment devices use comfortable, durable material to help keep your airway unobstructed while you sleep. Your dentist will show you several options and help you decide what one is right for you. Soft material and a drop-in fit make them easy to use and their slim, minimal design means they are easy to sleep in too. The devices will work even with short teeth or teeth that have had extensive dental work and do not lead to tooth enamel loss or bad breath.
Wearing these devices can lead to a better night’s sleep, feeling rested and ready for the day. They can also eliminate snoring and reduce the risk of issues that apnea contributes to, such as acid reflux and mental health issues.
Procedure Overview
While your regular physician is the one who diagnoses sleep apnea and can prescribe treatment, there are also ways that the dentist can help. The most common therapy for sleep apnea is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), which involves a machine that pumps a constant flow of air into your airways while you wear a mask. As you can imagine, this solution can be uncomfortable and awkward to sleep with and get used to, not to mention the sanitation effort that goes into maintaining a breathing machine at home.
Dentistry has come up with another solution. SomnoMed devices resemble sports mouthguards and can keep the lower jaw in a position that prevents the muscles of your tongue and upper throat from collapsing into your airway. Your dentist can find the correct fit for you in just a few minutes and will provide simple instructions on its use.
If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, we can work with you and your doctor to come up with a plan for a dental device that will keep you breathing easily through the night.