Sleep Apnoea Treatment for Better Sleep and Improved Health
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A Comfortable, Non-Invasive Solution for Snoring & Sleep Apnoea
Snoring is often dismissed as a minor inconvenience, but for many people, it’s a symptom of a more serious underlying condition. Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a sleep disorder in which the airway repeatedly collapses or becomes blocked during sleep, causing breathing to stop and restart throughout the night. Left untreated, it carries long-term health consequences — and impacts quality of life for both the patient and their partner.
At Doncaster Dental, we provide custom oral appliance therapy, a comfortable, effective, and non-invasive dental treatment for snoring and mild to moderate sleep apnoea. Our visiting sleep physician is also available for assessment and diagnosis, making Doncaster Dental a comprehensive first port of call for patients seeking answers about their sleep.
We serve patients from Doncaster, Templestowe, Doncaster East, Balwyn North, Bulleen, Box Hill North, Blackburn North, and surrounding areas.
What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnoea?
During normal sleep, air flows freely through the nose and mouth, past the soft tissues at the back of the throat, and into the lungs. In people with obstructive sleep apnoea, the muscles supporting these soft tissues relax too much during sleep, causing the airway to partially or completely collapse. When this happens, breathing is interrupted, sometimes hundreds of times per night, until the brain briefly rouses the body to restore airflow.
These interruptions are rarely remembered but have a profound effect on sleep quality, oxygen levels, and overall health. Many people with sleep apnoea have no idea they have it, attributing their symptoms to stress, poor fitness, or simply “not being a morning person.”
Sleep apnoea is more common than most people realise and affects people of all ages, genders, and body types, though it is more prevalent in middle-aged and older adults, males, and those who are overweight.
Signs & Symptoms of Sleep Apnoea
Snoring and sleep apnoea present with a range of symptoms that extend well beyond the bedroom. Common signs include:
- Loud, persistent snoring — often noticed by a partner before the patient themselves
- Choking, gasping, or stopped breathing during sleep (observed by a partner)
- Waking frequently during the night or feeling unrefreshed in the morning
- Excessive daytime sleepiness — falling asleep during quiet activities, difficulty staying awake while driving
- Morning headaches or a dry, sore throat upon waking
- Difficulty concentrating, poor memory, or brain fog
- Irritability, mood changes, anxiety, or low mood
- Decreased libido
If you or your partner have noticed any of these signs, it’s worth speaking with our team. A proper assessment and, if indicated, a sleep study will confirm whether sleep apnoea is present and how severe it is.
Why Sleep Apnoea Should Not Be Left Untreated
Cardiovascular risk — repeated drops in blood oxygen levels place strain on the cardiovascular system, increasing the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, irregular heart rhythms (atrial fibrillation), and stroke.
Type 2 diabetes — sleep apnoea is associated with insulin resistance and an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Weight gain — disrupted sleep interferes with the hormones that regulate hunger and metabolism, contributing to weight gain, which in turn can worsen sleep apnoea.
Mental health — chronic sleep deprivation caused by untreated sleep apnoea is linked to anxiety, depression, and reduced quality of life.
Accidents and impaired performance — excessive daytime sleepiness increases the risk of workplace accidents and drowsy driving, which can be fatal.
Relationship strain — disruptive snoring affects the sleep quality of partners, often leading to separate sleeping arrangements and broader relationship stress.
How Doncaster Dental Treats Sleep Apnoea
Step 1 — Assessment & Sleep Study
Accurate diagnosis is essential before any treatment can begin. Our visiting sleep physician assesses your symptoms, medical history, and risk factors, and can recommend an appropriate sleep study. Sleep studies — which monitor breathing, oxygen levels, heart rate, and movement during sleep — are used to confirm the presence and severity of sleep apnoea and determine the most appropriate treatment.
Step 2 — Custom Oral Appliance Therapy (Mandibular Advancement Splint)
For patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnoea, or those who snore significantly without a full apnoea diagnosis, oral appliance therapy is a highly effective first-line treatment.
At Doncaster Dental, we provide custom-fitted Mandibular Advancement Splints (MAS), oral appliances that fit over both the upper and lower teeth, gently repositioning the lower jaw slightly forward during sleep. This forward positioning:
- Tightens the soft tissues and muscles at the back of the throat
- Prevents the airway from collapsing
- Reduces or eliminates snoring and apnoea episodes
- Maintains normal airflow throughout the night
The appliance is custom-made from precise impressions of your teeth, ensuring an accurate, comfortable fit that stays in place throughout the night without restricting normal breathing through the mouth.
Key advantages of oral appliance therapy:
- Small, portable, and easy to travel with, no machines, masks, or hoses
- Silent and non-disruptive to partners
- Comfortable to wear and easy to adapt to
- Effective for mild to moderate sleep apnoea
- No electricity required
- Covered by private health insurance in many cases
CPAP Therapy
For patients with severe obstructive sleep apnoea, CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) therapy remains the gold standard treatment. A CPAP machine delivers a continuous stream of pressurised air through a mask worn during sleep, physically preventing the airway from collapsing.
CPAP is effective when used consistently, but compliance rates are a known challenge, many patients find the mask uncomfortable, disruptive, or difficult to travel with. For patients who are CPAP-intolerant or who have mild to moderate OSA, oral appliance therapy is often an excellent alternative. In some cases, a combination of both approaches is recommended.
Other Treatment Considerations
Alongside oral appliance therapy, lifestyle adjustments can play a meaningful role in reducing the severity of sleep apnoea:
- Weight management — even modest weight loss can reduce apnoea severity in overweight patients
- Positional therapy — avoiding sleeping on the back can reduce apnoea episodes in some patients
- Alcohol and sedative reduction — both relax the throat muscles and worsen airway collapse
- Smoking cessation — smoking increases upper airway inflammation and congestion
Your dentist and sleep physician will discuss all relevant options at your assessment.
The Difference Between a Nightguard and a Sleep Apnoea Appliance
A common question we receive is whether a nightguard for teeth grinding and a mandibular advancement splint for sleep apnoea are the same thing. They are not, they serve very different purposes and are designed differently:
A nightguard sits passively between the upper and lower teeth to absorb grinding forces and protect tooth surfaces. It does not reposition the jaw or affect the airway.
A mandibular advancement splint actively repositions the lower jaw forward to open the airway. It is not designed to protect against teeth grinding, though some patients do grind while wearing one.
If you have both bruxism and sleep apnoea, your dentist will discuss whether a combination appliance or separate devices are more appropriate for your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sleep apnoea is a condition in which a person’s breathing is repeatedly interrupted during sleep due to a partial or complete blockage of the airway. Obstructive sleep apnoea is a common form of sleep apnoea that occurs when the soft tissues at the back of the throat collapse during sleep, restricting airflow. These interruptions can happen many times throughout the night, disrupting restful sleep and placing strain on the cardiovascular system. If left untreated, sleep apnoea has been associated with conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes.
Common symptoms of sleep apnoea include loud or persistent snoring, choking or gasping during sleep, excessive daytime tiredness despite a full night’s sleep, waking with a sore throat or dry mouth, morning headaches, poor concentration, memory problems, and mood changes such as anxiety or depression. Because many symptoms occur during sleep, partners are often the first to notice. If you or someone close to you recognises these signs, call Doncaster Dental on (03) 9848 1322 to discuss an assessment.
Not necessarily — snoring and sleep apnoea are related but not the same condition. Snoring occurs when airflow causes the soft tissues of the throat to vibrate, producing sound. Sleep apnoea involves actual pauses in breathing caused by the airway partially or fully collapsing. Not everyone who snores has sleep apnoea, but loud, frequent snoring — particularly accompanied by gasping, choking, or daytime fatigue — are common warning signs. A sleep study is the only way to confirm a diagnosis.
Sleep apnoea is diagnosed through a sleep study, which monitors your breathing, oxygen levels, and sleep patterns overnight. At Doncaster Dental, a visiting sleep physician assesses your symptoms and recommends the most appropriate form of testing and treatment based on your individual situation. If you suspect you may have sleep apnoea, the first step is to book a consultation so the team can evaluate your symptoms and refer you for a sleep study if needed.
Doncaster Dental offers oral appliance therapy as a first-line treatment option for mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnoea and snoring. A custom-made oral appliance is worn over the teeth during sleep and works by gently repositioning the lower jaw and tongue to keep the airway open. For more severe cases, a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine may be recommended by the sleep physician. Surgery is considered a last resort and is only recommended for specific cases where other treatments have not been effective.
Oral appliance therapy involves wearing a custom-fitted dental device — similar in appearance to a mouthguard — during sleep. It works by holding the lower jaw in a slightly forward position, which prevents the soft tissues of the throat from collapsing and obstructing the airway. Custom oral appliances made at Doncaster Dental are tailored to your bite for maximum comfort and effectiveness, and are a popular alternative for patients who find CPAP machines uncomfortable or difficult to tolerate.
A CPAP machine delivers a continuous stream of pressurised air through a mask worn over the nose and mouth during sleep, physically keeping the airway open. It is highly effective for all severities of sleep apnoea but some patients find the mask uncomfortable, noisy, or difficult to travel with. An oral appliance is a small, custom-fitted dental device worn in the mouth that repositions the jaw to maintain an open airway. It is quieter, more compact, and generally easier to tolerate, making it a preferred option for many patients with mild to moderate sleep apnoea. Your sleep physician and dentist will advise on the most appropriate treatment for your severity and lifestyle.
Yes. Untreated sleep apnoea places serious strain on the body over time. The repeated interruptions to breathing cause oxygen levels to drop throughout the night, increasing the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and impaired immune function. Chronic sleep deprivation from untreated apnoea also significantly increases the risk of accidents, particularly when driving or operating machinery. If you suspect you have sleep apnoea, seeking treatment promptly is important for your long-term health.
Coverage for sleep apnoea treatment varies depending on your insurer, level of extras or hospital cover, and the specific treatment involved. Custom oral appliances may be partially covered under major dental extras, while CPAP machines and sleep studies may be covered under hospital or specific ancillary policies. It is worth contacting your insurer directly to confirm your entitlements before treatment. Doncaster Dental can provide an itemised quote to help you check your cover and claim any applicable benefits.
