Sleep Apnoea & Snoring

The Dental Connection to Sleep

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat relax too much during sleep, causing the airway to collapse. While CPAP machines are the medical gold standard for managing the condition, they do not address the underlying anatomical cause.

As dentists, we look at the structure of your mouth and jaws. A narrow upper jaw (palate), a lower jaw that sits too far back, or a large tongue in a small mouth are primary anatomical risk factors for airway collapse.

Signs You May Have a Sleep Breathing Issue

• Loud, chronic snoring
• Waking up gasping or choking
• Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat
• Morning headaches and jaw pain (often from nocturnal teeth grinding)
• Excessive daytime sleepiness and brain fog
• High blood pressure or cardiovascular issues

How We Can Help

We collaborate closely with sleep physicians and ENT specialists to ensure comprehensive care. Our dental interventions focus on optimizing your airway anatomy:

• Airway Screening: Using our digital intake forms (including the STOP-BANG and Epworth Sleepiness Scale) and CBCT imaging to evaluate your airway volume.
• Oral Appliance Therapy: Custom-fitted devices that gently hold the lower jaw forward during sleep, preventing the tongue from collapsing backward.
• Adult Palatal Expansion: Utilizing techniques like MARPE to permanently widen the upper jaw and nasal floor, creating more room for the tongue and improving nasal airflow.