Overview
Dental sleep medicine is a specialised field of dental practice that deals with the use of oral appliances (e.g. mouthguards) to treat sleeping disorders, including sleep apnea and snoring. The best form of treatment for each patient is usually co-determined by a dentist and a sleep physician.
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea, one of the most serious sleep disorders out there, is when a person’s breathing ceases repeatedly in their sleep due to a complete or partial blocking of their airway. The severity of the condition is dependent on the frequency and duration of ‘apnea’, which literally refers to “without breath”.
As foreign as sleep apnea sounds to you, it is actually more common than you think as most cases of sleep apnea go undiagnosed. In fact, a study in 2016, by Jurong Health Services, has found that 1 in 3 Singaporeans suffers from moderate to severe sleep apnea, and 1 in 10 suffers from severe sleep apnea. Yet, up to 90% of the cases were previously undiagnosed.
What are some symptoms of sleep apnea?
How is sleep apnea treated?
Depending on the severity of your condition, different treatments may be recommended. If you are suffering from a mild case of sleep apnea, your dentist may suggest that you wear an anti-snoring device during sleep. This helps to reposition your jaw and tongue to improve air circulation. However, a more severe case of sleep apnea would require more invasive treatments such as the use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) system, or surgery.
What are the treatment charges ?
Anti-snoring Device
$600 – $1500
If you have any further questions regarding the treatment, please feel free to call 8684 1000 to speak to our patient care associate. Alternatively, you may fill in our online enquiry form here.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I tell if I have sleep apnea?
Symptoms of sleep apnea include headaches, dry mouth in the morning, excessive gasping, snoring during sleep, or difficulty falling asleep.
2. How can sleep apnea be treated?
Depending on the severity of your condition, different treatments may be recommended. If you are suffering from a mild case of sleep apnea, your dentist may suggest that you wear an anti-snoring device during sleep. This helps to reposition your jaw and tongue to improve air circulation. However, a more severe case of sleep apnea would require more invasive treatments such as the use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) system, or surgery.
