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Anti Snoring Devices

Anti-snoring devices/Somnomed

Do you or your partner snore?
Do you suffer from daytime sleepiness or tiredness throughout the day?
Do you feel short of breath or gasp for air in your sleep?
Here is a link to the Epworth Sleepiness Scale test.

You may be suffering silently in your sleep for years, not getting enough oxygen to your brain and heart! Fortunately, your dentist at Hearts Dental are well trained in spotting patients potentially at risk of OSA. By observing the shapes and structures in your mouth, and watching how you speak, swallow and breath, we can notice subtle symptoms that point to signs of OSA.

If we are concerned about your sleep and your health at risk, the next step is often a written referral to your GP to explain the concern, as well as an arrangement for a home sleep test to measure the level of your OSA. An independent experienced sleep physician will analyse your sleep study results and make recommendations to the most appropriate form of therapy for you.
Often people easily dismiss symptoms of OSA as one-offs, simply blaming the daytime tiredness to sickness, changes in routine, or too much alcohol the night before. However more and more researches are showing that OSA has long term negative effects in people.

During your sleep, frequent drop in blood oxygen levels throughout the night means more stress on your heart. This activates the nervous system responsible for heart performance. Ultimately this can lead to hypertension, or high blood pressure.

Approximately 50% of patients with diagnosed OSA also suffer from hypertension. Hypertension itself is a risk factor for heart attacks and chest pains.

Another problem with untreated OSA is that blood sugar level fluctuation during sleep due to depletion of blood oxygen. Untreated OSA patients have an increased risk of developing adult type II diabetes.

Sleepiness during the day due to lack of proper rest at night can significantly increase the risk of motor vehicle accidents as some drivers cannot keep their eyes open at the wheels. This is known as micro-naps, and highly dangerous!
The two main treatment options for OSA sufferers are:

- CPAP devices
- Sleep splints

While the CPAP device is useful in treating a severe form of OSA. The bulkiness of the machine, as well as the drying effect and restrictiveness to the user, means the compliance is very poor. Most sufferers report discontinued use of the machine within 12 months of time!

Sleep splints are custom made to fit your mouth. As a result, they are much better tolerated, with 9 out of 10 Somnomed users reporting continued use after 12 months.

At Hearts dental, our goal is to restore quality to your sleep so you feel well-rested, healthy and energised to meet each day. We chose to use SomnoMed appliances over other brands because their ongoing research effects in OSA align with our “patients best interest at heart” philosophy. Their 3-year warranty also means peace of mind for us and our patients alike.
If it has been recommended by your sleep physician that you visit a dentist for a sleep splint then there are a few simple steps:

Visit 1: Your dentist will examine the status of your oral health to determine that an oral appliance will be appropriate for you. Dental moulds and bite records will be taken at this visit. Please allow 2 weeks turnaround time.
Visit 2: Your dentist will fit you with the new SomnoMed splint and go through how to use, remove, and care for the device.
Visit 3: Review visits known as “titration” visits at weekly and fortnightly interval to ensure that your appliance is performing well and you are getting the good sleep you (and your partner) deserve!

If you have been diagnosed with a sleep-related disorder and your sleep physician recommends a dental appliance, please contact Hearts Dental for an appointment.
Dr. Qing Guo Believes
BETTER HEALTH COMES FROM BETTER TEETH