Sleep appliances · Bayside Melbourne
Snoring and sleep apnoea appliances in Cheltenham
An oral appliance is a custom-made device worn at night that holds the lower jaw slightly forward, with the aim of keeping the airway more open during sleep. It is one option among several, and it is only appropriate after a medical diagnosis. Park Road Dental makes these appliances at 155 Park Road, Cheltenham, working alongside your doctor. Call (03) 9584 4949.
Diagnosis comes first, and it is a medical one
Dentists do not diagnose sleep apnoea. Obstructive sleep apnoea is a medical condition diagnosed by a doctor or sleep physician, usually on the basis of a sleep study, and it can have significant health consequences when it goes untreated.
Snoring can be a symptom of sleep apnoea, but plenty of people snore without having it and some people have it without much snoring at all. If you have not been assessed, the first step is a conversation with your GP — not with us. We are happy to be part of the plan afterwards.
What an oral appliance is
The appliance looks a little like two thin splints joined together, one on the upper teeth and one on the lower. It holds the lower jaw in a slightly forward position, which for some people helps keep the airway from collapsing during sleep.
It is custom-made to a scan of your teeth and is adjustable, so the amount of forward positioning can be changed gradually rather than set in one go. It is worn only during sleep.
Who an appliance may suit
Your sleep physician decides what treatment is appropriate for your situation. Broadly, oral appliances are considered for people with simple snoring, for some people with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnoea, and for people who have been prescribed CPAP but cannot tolerate it.
An appliance is not a substitute for CPAP where CPAP has been prescribed and is working, and it is not suitable for everyone. Severe cases, in particular, are generally managed differently. What suits you is a decision for the practitioner who diagnosed you.
What it involves here
If your doctor or sleep physician has recommended an oral appliance, we start with a dental assessment. That is a genuine gate, not a formality: the appliance holds against your teeth and jaw joints all night, so we check that the teeth are healthy enough to take it, that there is enough support, and that your jaw joints are in a condition to tolerate being held forward.
If it is appropriate, we take a digital scan, fit the appliance and then adjust it over subsequent visits. Follow-up matters — your sleep physician will usually want to confirm whether it is actually working, which may mean a repeat sleep study.
Limits, side effects and review
Oral appliances do not work for everyone, and effectiveness varies between individuals. Common early effects include jaw or tooth tenderness, increased salivation or a dry mouth, and a bite that feels slightly off first thing in the morning. These often settle, but not always.
Longer-term use can change tooth position and the way the bite meets. That is why regular dental review is part of appliance therapy rather than an optional extra — we monitor it, and if the changes are unacceptable to you, we say so.
Working with your doctor
Appliance therapy works best when the dental and medical sides are talking to each other. Bring your sleep study results and any correspondence from your sleep physician to the first appointment.
If you snore and have never been assessed, start with your GP. If you grind your teeth and snore, both can be discussed at the same appointment — our night guards page covers the grinding side.
Snoring & sleep apnoea FAQs
Can a dentist diagnose sleep apnoea?
No. Obstructive sleep apnoea is diagnosed by a doctor or sleep physician, usually following a sleep study. A dentist can make and fit an oral appliance once a diagnosis has been made and a medical practitioner has advised that an appliance is appropriate.
Is an oral appliance an alternative to CPAP?
That is a decision for your sleep physician, not for us. Oral appliances are considered for simple snoring, for some mild to moderate cases, and for people who cannot tolerate CPAP. Where CPAP has been prescribed and is working well, an appliance is not a straightforward substitute.
Will an appliance stop my snoring?
Results vary between individuals and cannot be predicted in advance. Some people notice a substantial difference, some notice a partial one, and for some an appliance does not suit. Follow-up review is how we find out which applies to you.
Are appliances covered by health funds?
It depends on your fund and your level of extras cover. We accept all major Australian health funds and claim on the spot, so any rebate is applied on the day and you pay the gap.
Talk to us about a sleep appliance in Cheltenham
New patients are welcome and no referral is needed. We are open six days, including Wednesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings, with on-site parking.
Book a consultation →