Sleep Apnoea & Snoring Treatment in Townsville

What Is Sleep Apnoea?

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a condition in which the muscles and soft tissues of the throat repeatedly relax and collapse during sleep, partially or completely blocking the upper airway. This causes breathing pauses lasting 10 seconds or longer, often dozens or hundreds of times per night, leading to disrupted sleep and reduced oxygen levels. According to the Australasian Sleep Association, approximately 9 per cent of Australian women and 25 per cent of Australian men have clinically significant OSA, yet up to 80 per cent of moderate to severe cases remain undiagnosed. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reports that sleep disorders, including OSA, affect an estimated 1.5 million Australians. Dentists trained in sleep medicine — including those treating teeth grinding — play an increasingly important role in screening, identifying, and managing this condition in Townsville and across North Queensland through oral appliance therapy.

Sources: Australasian Sleep Association; Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW); Sleep Health Foundation.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Apnoea?

Common signs and symptoms include:

• Loud, chronic snoring — often reported by a partner
• Witnessed breathing pauses during sleep
• Gasping or choking upon waking
• Excessive daytime sleepiness despite apparently adequate sleep duration
• Morning headaches and a dry mouth upon waking
• Difficulty concentrating and memory problems
• Irritability and mood changes
• Frequent night-time urination

If you or your partner recognise these symptoms, a sleep study is the essential first step toward diagnosis and treatment.

How Does a Dentist Treat Sleep Apnoea?

Dentists treat mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnoea using oral appliance therapy, most commonly a mandibular advancement splint (MAS). This custom-made device is worn during sleep and works by holding the lower jaw in a slightly forward position, which prevents the tongue and soft palate from collapsing into the airway.

Treatment follows a collaborative model — your GP or sleep physician diagnoses the condition through a sleep study, and our dental team designs and fits the oral appliance, adjusting it progressively to achieve optimal airway opening.

How Does Oral Appliance Therapy Compare to CPAP?

Research published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine (2015) found that while CPAP delivers slightly greater airway pressure, oral appliance therapy achieves comparable health outcomes in mild to moderate cases because patients wear the device more consistently.

Who Benefits Most from Oral Appliance Therapy?

Oral appliance therapy is recommended for:

1. Patients with mild to moderate OSA — as a first-line treatment
2. CPAP-intolerant patients — those who cannot tolerate the mask, noise, or airflow
3. Snorers without apnoea — primary snoring responds well to mandibular advancement
4. Frequent travellers — the compact device is far easier to transport than a CPAP machine
5. Patients who prefer a non-invasive option — no surgery, no machine, no mask

Patients with severe OSA should discuss combined therapy options with their sleep physician, as CPAP may be more appropriate for severe cases.

What Does the Treatment Process Involve?

1. Initial Consultation and Screening

We perform a thorough dental and airway assessment, review your sleep study results, and discuss your symptoms and treatment goals.

2. Digital Impressions and Bite Registration

Precise digital or physical impressions are taken of your upper and lower teeth, along with a bite registration that records your jaw position.

3. Custom Splint Fabrication

Your impressions are sent to a specialist dental laboratory where a custom mandibular advancement splint is fabricated. This typically takes one to two weeks.

4. Fitting and Calibration

At your fitting appointment, the splint is inserted and adjusted for comfort and jaw position. We set an initial advancement position and provide instructions for gradual adjustment over the following weeks.

5. Follow-Up and Titration

A review appointment is scheduled two to four weeks later to assess comfort, symptom improvement, and any need for further advancement. Ongoing reviews ensure the appliance remains effective and your dental health is maintained.

Why Choose Townsville Dental Clinic for Sleep Apnoea Treatment?

Our team is experienced in the assessment and management of sleep-disordered breathing using custom oral appliance therapy. We work collaboratively with your GP and sleep physician to ensure integrated care, and we use high-quality, laboratory-fabricated mandibular advancement splints for optimal fit and durability.

Patients across Townsville, Aitkenvale, Kirwan, and the wider North Queensland region choose our practice for sleep apnoea care that is evidence-based, patient-centred, and convenient. Contact us today to discuss whether oral appliance therapy is right for you.

Further reading

• Sleep Apnoea, Snoring and Dental Appliances: A Townsville Guide

Related Services

• Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
• TMJ & Jaw Pain Treatment
• Custom Mouthguards

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