Get treated by experts in sleep disorders
Why choose us?
Why Choose Dental at Joondalup in Perth?
Experienced Clinicians
Technology
Interest free plans available
Availability over the weekends
Personalized treatment plan
What are sleep disorders
A sleep disorder is a condition that prevents you from getting restful sleep, can cause daytime sleepiness, and problems functioning. The four main sleep disorders are discussed below.
Insomnia is regarded as a difficulty going to sleep or difficulty staying asleep. This is most likely going to affect your energy levels as well as your mood, health and quality-of-life. Short-term insomnia can be caused by a particular incident and is common and most people will experience this at some point in their lives. Longer-term insomnia is more of a challenge to manage and usually necessitates good sleep habits.
Snoring is very common in males and females. It can be made worse by being either overweight, drinking too much alcohol, or smoking. You can minimize snoring by using a special mouthguard that opens your airway, or by treating your allergies and unblocking your nose.
Sleep Apnoea occurs when your breathing stops and starts repeatedly during sleep. Common signs and symptoms include very loud snoring, waking up gasping for air, and struggling to stay awake during the day. Sleep bruxism involves the clenching or grinding of your teeth
What signs will I have if I have a sleep disorder
- Daytime sleepiness or fatigue
- Headaches in the morning
- Night sweats
- Diminished sexual drive
- Waking up suddenly feeling like you’re choking
- High blood pressure
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease
- Waking up often in the middle of the night to pee
- Trouble getting up in the morning
- Snoring
- Restlessness during sleep
- Trouble concentrating forgetfulness or depression
- Dry mouth when you wake up
Sleep Aponea FAQs
What is the cause of destructive sleep apnea or snoring?
Sleep apnoea usually happens when the muscles that control your airway relax too much and close your throat. You wake up for a moment to reopen your airway but chances are you won’t even remember it. This can happen multiple times every hour. Other blockages can be caused by obesity, swollen tonsils, and heart failure.
You are more likely to get sleep apnoea due to the following reasons:
- Being male
- Being older
- Having a family history of sleep apnoea
- Having asthma
- Smoking
- Having diabetes or high blood pressure
- Being overweight or obese or having a large or thick neck
- Having a large tongue
What if it has been a while since I have seen the dentist?
We all understand life can be busy with family, friends, work and studies.
Any time is an opportunity to attend Dental at Joondalup, you should never feel if it’s been long that you should not bother coming.
We provide a non-judgmental gentle dental experience.
This will usually consist of a 60-minute appointment. During this appointment the dentist or therapist will assess your gum health, a clinical periodontal analysis recording will be taken.
This is where each 6 areas (yes, there is 6 sides to your gum!) will be measured using a thin ruler.
We encourage you to listen to the numbers that are called out at this point, a healthy range is between 1-3mm.
A periodontal recording is a diagnostic tool which takes measurements of different aspects of your gum structure such as pockets, bone loss, gum recession and bleeding.
Radiographs and dental charts may also be used for dental diagnosis and references for future treatment.
What can happen if I don’t treat my structured sleep apnoea?
Obstructive sleep apnoea can lead to the following:
- Sleepiness during the day and trouble concentrating
- Higher risk of complications after surgery
- Eye problems such as glaucoma
- Cardiovascular problems such as heart attack or stroke
- Metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes
- Problems with pregnancy
How do I manage my obstructive sleep Apnoea?
CPAP Machine
CPAP machine involves you wearing a mask that over your nose or mouth, and an air blower that forces constant air through your nose or mouth.
The air pressure is continually calibrated to make sure that you keep your upper airway tissues from relaxing too much while you sleep; allowing your airways to stay open and not cause you to wake for small irregular periods of time.
Oral devices
If you have mild sleep apnoea you might be eligible for an oral mandibular advancement device that keeps your tongue from blocking your throat or brings your lower jaw forward.
This will assist you keeping your airway open while you sleep. We are able to assist you in deciding what type of device will be best for you.
Surgical Options
Surgery is recommended for people who have extra or uneven tissue that blocks the airway.
Weight loss
Losing even 10% of your weight can make a big difference on the grading of your sleep apnoea.
If you can avoid drinking alcohol, smoking, or taking sleeping pills you will find that you are much less likely to make your airway close during sleep.
Sleeping on your side
This can help you if you have mild sleep apnoea and you enjoy sleeping on your back
Nasal decongestants
Can help sinus problems if you find it hard to breathe why you sleep.
Oral devices and Sleep Apnoea
There are many oral devices that are used for sleep apnoea management. At Dental at Joondalup we are proud to use primarily Oventus and SomnoDent devices.
SomnoDent® Sleep Appliances
SomnoDent® sleep appliances consist of a group of oral appliances that shift the jaw forward during sleep. This works by increasing the pressure on soft tissue and muscles in the airway to keep the patient's throat open and clear throughout sleep. The appliance is custom fit and made from high quality materials.
Easily adjusted, the appliance allows patients to speak and drink during wear, and 75%-91% of patients report improved sleep and quality of sleep.
The Oventus O2Vent® Optima Nylon Appliance
The Oventus sleep appliance is one of the more comfortable, customizable treatments for obstructive sleep apnea. This appliance keeps the mouth and throat open during sleep, allowing for easy breathing...even when patients are congested.
The adjustable and exchangeable sizes and shapes of the elastic tension straps allow patients to customize their treatment.
It is custom designed on a computer from optically scanned information, then 3D printed using the latest technology and material, and is made from biocompatible polyamide medical grade nylon. It does not contain BPA, phthalate or resin.
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