Sleep Apnoea Treatment in Edmondson Park
What is sleep apnoea and why is it serious?
Sleep apnoea is a condition in which your airway repeatedly collapses during sleep, causing breathing to stop, sometimes dozens or hundreds of times per night.
Each time breathing stops, the brain rouses you just enough to restart it. You usually have no memory of this happening. But the repeated interruptions prevent you from reaching the deep, restorative stages of sleep.
The result is chronic sleep deprivation, even if you think you are sleeping a full eight hours.
There are two main types: Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA), where the airway physically collapses, and Central Sleep Apnoea, where the brain fails to signal the breathing muscles correctly. OSA is by far the more common type and the one most effectively treated with oral appliance therapy.
Could you have sleep apnoea?
Many people with sleep apnoea do not know they have it.
The most common symptom, stopping breathing during sleep, happens when you are unconscious. It is often a bed partner who first notices something is wrong.
SYMPTOM CHECKLIST
- Loud, persistent snoring, especially snoring with pauses, gasps, or choking sounds
- Waking feeling unrefreshed even after a full night of sleep
- Excessive daytime sleepiness, struggling to stay awake during routine activities
- Waking with a dry mouth, sore throat, or headache in the morning
- Waking repeatedly during the night, often to urinate
- Difficulty concentrating, poor memory, or mood changes during the day
- High blood pressure that is difficult to control
- Your partner has noticed you stop breathing during sleep
If your partner has noticed you stopping breathing during sleep, please book an assessment, do not wait.
The hidden health risks of untreated sleep apnoea
Every time breathing stops, oxygen drops and the heart works harder. Over years, this contributes to high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.
Untreated sleep apnoea is also linked to type 2 diabetes, depression, and significantly higher risk of motor vehicle accidents.
Treatment is available, effective, and for many patients, a custom dental appliance is the most comfortable first step.
What sleep apnoea treatment may involve?
Treatment depends on the type and severity of sleep apnoea.
Your doctor or sleep specialist may recommend one or more of the following approaches.
Lifestyle changes
Weight management, reducing alcohol, quitting smoking and improving sleep habits may help reduce symptoms for some patients.
CPAP therapy
CPAP uses a steady flow of air to help keep the airway open during sleep. It is commonly recommended by a doctor or sleep specialist, particularly for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnoea.
Mandibular advancement splint
A mandibular advancement splint is a custom-made oral appliance worn while you sleep. It gently holds the lower jaw forward to help keep the airway open and reduce snoring and breathing interruptions.
How a mandibular advancement splint may help
A Mandibular Advancement Splint (MAS) is a custom-fitted device worn in the mouth during sleep. It gently positions the lower jaw forward, keeping the airway open and preventing the collapse that causes sleep apnoea and snoring.
It requires no mask, machine, or power supply, making it far more convenient and tolerable than CPAP for many patients.
A MAS is most effective for mild to moderate OSA. For severe cases, it may be used alongside CPAP or as an alternative for patients who cannot tolerate it.
Why local families choose
Ed Square Dental?
At Ed Square Dental, we believe exceptional dentistry goes beyond great clinical results — it’s about how you feel every step of the way.
Our locally run practice is built on genuine care, the latest technology, and a team that truly listens.
Locally owned & operated
A family-run practice with deep roots in the Edmondson Park community. We genuinely care about our neighbours’ health and wellbeing.
Advanced dental technology
We continuously invest in the latest equipment so every patient receives accurate diagnoses and the highest standard of care.
Gentle, caring approach
We understand visiting the dentist can feel overwhelming. Our warm team makes every appointment calm and stress-free.
Flexible payment options
Quality dental care should be accessible. We accept all major health funds plus Afterpay, ZipPay, and Denticare plans.
Convenient location
In the heart of Ed Square Town Centre, open Monday to Saturday with late Thursday hours.
See why patients recommend us
We’re proud to be one of Edmondson Park’s most trusted dental practices.
Here’s what our patients have to say.
Your sleep apnoea treatment journey at Ed Square Dental
Dental treatment for sleep apnoea follows a clear, well-supported process. Here is what to expect.
We discuss your symptoms, sleep history, and medical background. Where a formal diagnosis has not yet been made, we provide a referral to a sleep physician for a sleep study.
A sleep study confirms the type and severity of your sleep apnoea. It can be conducted in a sleep clinic or at home with a portable device.
We take precise impressions of your teeth. Your custom Mandibular Advancement Splint is fabricated to fit your mouth precisely -- for comfort, effectiveness, and durability.
We fit the appliance and show you how to use and care for it. The level of advancement is adjustable -- we start conservatively and fine-tune based on your response.
Follow-up appointments let us assess effectiveness, make adjustments, and monitor jaw joint health. We coordinate with your sleep physician as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I have sleep apnoea?
Common signs include loud snoring (especially with gasps or pauses), waking unrefreshed, excessive daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, dry mouth, and difficulty concentrating. A formal diagnosis requires a sleep study. If you suspect sleep apnoea, book a consultation at Ed Square Dental and we can discuss referral for a sleep study.
What is a sleep apnoea mouthguard?
A sleep apnoea mouthguard — or Mandibular Advancement Splint (MAS) — is a custom-fitted oral appliance worn during sleep. It gently positions the lower jaw slightly forward to keep the airway open and prevent the collapse that causes sleep apnoea and snoring. It is worn only during sleep and removed in the morning.
Is a dental appliance better than CPAP?
CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) is the gold standard treatment for severe sleep apnoea and is highly effective. However, many patients find CPAP difficult to tolerate — the mask, noise, and inconvenience lead to poor compliance. For mild to moderate OSA, a custom oral appliance is often equally effective and significantly more comfortable and tolerable long-term. For patients who cannot use CPAP, an appliance is often the recommended alternative.
Do I need a sleep study before getting an appliance?
In most cases, yes. A formal sleep study is required to diagnose sleep apnoea and determine its severity before an appliance is prescribed. Ed Square Dental can refer you to a sleep physician if you have not yet had a sleep study. In some cases — particularly for snoring without suspected sleep apnoea — an appliance may be provided without a formal diagnosis.
Can a sleep apnoea appliance be used with CPAP?
Yes — for some patients, an oral appliance is used in combination with CPAP, or as an alternative when CPAP is not tolerated. This approach is managed collaboratively between our dentist and sleep physician.
Is sleep apnoea treatment covered by health insurance?
Oral appliances for sleep apnoea may attract benefits under extras cover with some private health funds. Coverage varies significantly between funds and policies. We recommend contacting your health fund directly. We process health fund claims on the spot via HiCaps and can assist you at your appointment.
How long does a sleep apnoea appliance last?
A well-maintained custom oral appliance typically lasts two to five years depending on the material and wear. Your dentist will monitor the condition of the appliance at your review appointments and advise when replacement is indicated.
Can sleep apnoea be cured?
For most adults, sleep apnoea is a chronic condition that is managed rather than cured. However, lifestyle changes — particularly weight loss and avoiding alcohol before bed — can significantly improve or in some cases resolve sleep apnoea in appropriate patients. Your sleep physician will advise on lifestyle factors relevant to your case.
Sleep apnoea treatment can help you feel like yourself again
Chronic sleep deprivation changes who you are — your energy, your patience, your ability to concentrate, your joy.
Most patients who complete sleep apnoea treatment describe the improvement as profound. Not because the appliance is complicated. Because genuine, restorative sleep is transformative.
At Ed Square Dental, we work with patients and their sleep physicians to find a treatment approach that is comfortable, effective, and sustainable.
Flexible payment options
Quality dental care should be accessible to everyone. We accept all major health funds and offer a range of flexible payment options to make your treatment as affordable as possible, with no compromise on quality.
Major health funds accepted
We accept all private health insurance providers and process your claim on the spot via HiCaps.
