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Snoring / Sleep Apnoea
CAMPSIE   LASER   DENTAL
42  North  Parade
Campsie  NSW 2194
Australia
ABN   39   598   094   383
Tel   :  +  61  2  9789  6219
Fax   :   +    61   2   9789   3036
Mobile  :   0414   811   888
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Disclaimer. All material supplied here are for general information only. Please consult your dentist regarding your specific conditions before making any decisions.
Snoring is a very common condition and usually does not cause significant medical problems. However, for some individuals, snoring may imply a more serious cndition called obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA), which can result in life-threatening conditions such as heart attack, stroke etc.
During breathing, air is drawn through the nose, the soft tissue passage at the back of the throat, trachea, bronchi etc. to reach the lungs. During waking hours, the soft tissue passage is held open by the surrounding muscles. During sleep, these muscles relax resulting in "dropping back" of the soft tissue such as the soft palate, uvula and tongue.causing narrowing of the air passage. Snoring occurs when the individual tries to breathe harder to overcome this narrowed or partially obstructed airway.

In some situations, these muscles can over-relax resulting in total collapse of the soft tissue passage and obstruction of the airway. If breathing is absent for over 10 seconds due to this airway obstruction, it is referred to as apnoea or obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), as it occured during sleep.
Common symptoms of Obstructive sleep Apnoea may include any or all of the following :
> Tiredness on waking
> wake up with a headache
> Fatique
> Poor concentration
> Memmory deterioration
> Irritability
Proper diagnosis of the cause of sleep apnoea is essential so that the appropriate treatment can be carried out. This may involve detailed examination by specialist sleep doctors and assessment in a sleep disorder clinic to monitoe the sleep pattern. Treatment modalities may involve :
1. Oral appliance therapy.
2. Nasal continuous positve airway pressure
3. Surgery
4. Combination of the above.
Oral appliance therapy can be carried out, after consulting with the sleep doctor that this treatment modality is appropriate, by a dentist. There are many designs of snore appliances but all involve bringing and keeping the lower jaw forward during sleep so that the tongue and associated soft tissue will not fall back to obstruct the airway.

Snore appliances are relatively inexpensive compared with other treatment modalities and the appliance is easily portable during travel. However, as the appliance brings and keeps the lower jaw forward through the night, it might cause some discomfort initially but is usually quickly adapted to.

However, oral appliance therapy may not be suitable for
> individuals with severe temporomandibular joint (TMJ) or jaw joing disorders
> individuals with severe untreated periodontal or gum disease or dental decay
> edentulous patients
This involves wearing a mask joined to a pump which pumps air under positive pressure to the lungs during sleep.this treatment modality is less comfortable as compared to oral appliance therapy and is indicated for individuals with moderate to severe OSA or individuals with heart or lung diseases.
Surgical treatment is usually only indicated for individuals with severe total OSA and may involve :
> widening of the nasal air passage
> removal of the tonsils especially if they are oversized
> removal of excessive soft tissue aroung the back of the throat
> partial removal of oversized tongue etc.
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