Treatment of sleep apnoea and snoring in Lugano

Restorative dentistry is the process of repairing teeth that are damaged, usually due to caries but also due to fracture or colour and shape imperfections, in order to restore the functional and aesthetic integrity of the dental organ.

+41 (0)91 921 01 71

Snoring and sleep apnoea (OSA)

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing stops and starts again repeatedly during sleep. OSA is a permanent chronic medical condition that can affect sleep, health and quality of life.

It is linked to hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, car accidents, workplace accidents and stroke.

It can have a significant impact on quality of life, causing unnecessary stress in working and family relationships, particularly between partners who sleep in the same bed.

Treatment for sleep apnoea

The first step is to make a diagnosis, which is done mainly by consulting an ENT doctor or hospital and performing clinical tests, such as:

  • Polysomnography (PSG) – a test that is conducted in a sleep laboratory or hospital where the patient must stay overnight ;
  • Home polygraphy – performed using a device that the patient wears at home.

Based on the results of the tests and the blood oxygen desaturation values, the number of awakenings related to respiratory effort (RERA) and the apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI), the doctor can assess the degree of severity of the disease and the most appropriate type of treatment. The principle treatment of this pathology is performed with CPAP; that is, positive pressure mechanical ventilation delivered through an oral-nasal mask.

Doctor-dentist

In mild or moderate cases or where the patient has difficulty accepting a CPAP device, the sleep specialist can refer the patient to the dentist to make an orthodontic device that allows mandibular advancement, thus freeing up the posterior airways.
These oral devices are comfortable and easy to use, and are well tolerated by patients. The patient will require a preliminary examination of the state of the teeth and an investigation for any latent pathology. The device is made by taking impressions of the upper and lower arch and recording the optimal position of advancement.

Share by: