How custom oral appliances can help some snorers and people with diagnosed obstructive sleep apnoea, and how to get assessed at our Finchley Road practice.
Snoring is common, and for many households in NW3 it is a nightly frustration for the snorer and their partner. Sometimes snoring is harmless. Sometimes it is a sign of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), where the airway repeatedly narrows or closes during sleep.
Possible warning signs of OSA include pauses in breathing noticed by a partner, waking up gasping, morning headaches and feeling very tired during the day. If you have these symptoms, speak to your GP first. OSA is diagnosed through a medical sleep assessment, not at the dental chair.
For simple snoring, and for some people with mild to moderate OSA that has been diagnosed medically, a mandibular advancement device may be an option. It is a custom-made appliance, similar to a sports guard, that holds the lower jaw slightly forward during sleep to help keep the airway open.
Oral appliances do not suit everyone, and results vary. For moderate to severe OSA, a CPAP machine arranged through a sleep service is often recommended, and an appliance may be considered alongside medical advice.
We will ask about your sleep, your medical history and any diagnosis you have had, then examine your teeth, gums and jaw joints. If an appliance is suitable, we will explain the costs and the fitting and review process. You can read more on our sleep apnoea and snoring and anti-snoring options pages.
Keeping to a healthy weight, cutting down on alcohol in the evening, stopping smoking and sleeping on your side can all reduce snoring for some people.
Dental Wellness Finchley Road, 106 Finchley Rd, South Hampstead, London NW3 5JJ.
Call 020 3813 3848, message us on WhatsApp (07522 141064), email smile@dentalwellnessfinchleyroad.co.uk or book online.
