X-AP
Sleep Apnoea Treatment in North Brisbane
Traditional Sleep Apnoea Treatment
One of the most common forms of treatment for sleep apnoea is a technique known as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). CPAP uses a machine hooked up to a breathing mask worn over the nose and mouth.
This device gently forces air through the mask at a consistent rate to keep the airway and throat open and provide oxygen. This treatment has been proven to be effective, however many patients stop their treatment before long – because of the device’s bulk, noise, or discomfort.
Simpler Oral Appliances
A less intrusive and more comfortable treatment alternative is now available for many sufferers. It takes the form of a simple ‘oral appliance’ or mouthpiece that is custom-fitted for your mouth.
The X-AP is an oral appliance developed by Albany Clinic’s Dr Andrew Murray as an effective and more comfortable treatment for sleep apnoea. X-AP is worn only during sleep, and is designed to hold the lower jaw closed in a comfortable way, thereby encouraging breathing through the nose and preventing airway collapse from pausing your breathing.
Experiencing poor quality or loss of sleep?
Dr Andrew Murray can help you diagnose the source of your problem and help you start to get a better night’s sleep.
If you’re in the North Brisbane area please call Albany Clinic on (07) 3264 2622 today to book an appointment. Dr Murray has more than 10 years years of direct experience in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnoea and other sleep disorders.
Assessment of oral appliances as an effective treatment
Oral appliances are increasingly gaining acceptance in the treatment of snoring and sleep apnoea. They have been developed as alternatives or to complement weight loss or sleep-position change, nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and surgery for the treatment of upper-airway obstruction.
The Australian Dental Association practice parameters indicate that oral appliances (OA) are a suitable first line therapy for simple snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnoea, and that they represent an appropriate alternative therapy in more severe cases when nCPAP is not accepted and surgery not indicated.
Are there any side effects?
Research into many different types of oral appliance has shown that up to 50% of patients may experience some negative effects such as increased salivation, temporomandibular joint (jaw) discomfort or changes in dental health as a result of appliance use. Because X-AP is designed to be less bulky and is custom fitted there are fewer problems related to its use.
The following additional features of the X-AP appliance mean significant negative effects are much less likely:
(a) The X-AP is used during sleep only
(b) Simple application
(c) Soft elastomer bite enhancing comfort and reducing likelihood of dental issues
The X-AP is custom fitted to provide the safest and most effective solution to your individual problem. Your dentist will assess the health of your teeth and advise whether the appliance is suitable for you.
Regular dental care and assessment should be discussed with your dentist – this measure will ensure that if any issues do arise, they will be detected and addressed quickly.
What About Snoring?
Snoring comes from vibration of either the soft palate – at the back of the mouth, vibration of the tongue or the relaxed walls of the airways in the throat.
The X-AP device is primarily designed to assist with sleep apnoea, but by encouraging nose-breathing (most snorers breathe through their mouth) and reducing vibration of the soft palate and tongue, it is also effective in the treatment of snoring.
Can I use X-AP with CPAP?
Patients who already use CPAP sometimes have difficulty holding their mouth closed and require a head strap to keep their chin up. The X-AP appliance is a comfortable alternative to overcome this problem. By its design, it may also help to reduce the pressure required for CPAP and can be substituted for those occasional nights away from the home environment.
Call Albany Clinic in North Brisbane on (07) 3264 2622 today to book an appointment (click for location). Dr Murray has more than 10 years of direct experience in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnoea and other sleep disorders.
Call Albany Clinic in North Brisbane on (07) 3264 2622 today to book an appointment (click for location).
Dr Murray has more than 10 years of direct experience in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnoea and other sleep disorders.