Common Questions About Sleep Treatment

Oral appliance therapy is a non-invasive treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and snoring. It involves wearing a custom-made device, similar to a mouthguard, during sleep. The appliance gently holds your jaw in a forward position to keep your airway open, reducing breathing interruptions.

Yes. Oral appliance therapy is clinically proven to be highly effective for treating mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnoea and primary snoring. For people with severe sleep apnoea who are unable to tolerate CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) therapy, oral appliances can be a valuable alternative, especially when managed by a trained dental sleep medicine professional.

Oral appliances are widely recognised by sleep specialists and ENT doctors as the leading treatment for snoring — offering both excellent effectiveness and superior comfort compared to other options.
While lifestyle adjustments like weight loss and side-sleeping can certainly help reduce snoring, oral appliances remain the gold standard for consistently managing the problem.
It’s important to note that many over-the-counter solutions, including sprays, pillows, and medications, lack strong evidence of success and often provide little to no lasting relief.

At Sleep Matters, you’ll first have a detailed consultation with Dr Jess, a dentist specially trained in dental sleep medicine. If oral appliance therapy is right for you, we will:

1. Take precise dental digital scans and jaw measurements.

2. Custom design a device tailored to your mouth and your sleep disorder severity.

3. Fit and adjust the appliance to maximise comfort and effectiveness.

4. Follow up closely to ensure your therapy is working optimally.

Unlike over-the-counter devices, custom oral appliances require careful assessment, design, fitting, and ongoing monitoring to ensure they:

• Properly manage your sleep apnoea.

• Avoid unwanted side effects like jaw problems or teeth movement.

• Are adjusted as your needs change over time.

At Sleep Matters, Dr Jess has advanced training in dental sleep medicine to deliver safe, effective, evidence-based treatment that is tailored specifically to your health needs.

Side effects are usually mild and temporary as you adjust to wearing the appliance. They can include:

• Minor jaw discomfort or stiffness

• Tooth or gum sensitivity

• Excessive saliva or dry mouth

• Bite changes with long-term use. We closely monitor for these and make adjustments as needed to minimise any issues.

While the mouth is naturally sensitive, most of our patients adjust to their appliance within just a night or two. Many are pleasantly surprised by how comfortable it feels — and often say they can't imagine sleeping without it! Our advanced 3D-printed devices are custom-made to fit precisely and are designed to be exceptionally slim and lightweight for maximum comfort.

Older-style acrylic oral appliances typically had a lifespan of around 3 to 5 years. Today’s advanced 3D-printed nylon appliances are far more durable — they’re highly resistant to breakage and built to last much longer.

Many patients choose to upgrade to a new appliance after a few years or request a second device as a backup. Thanks to our 3D printing technology, replacement appliances can be provided at a much lower cost.

Over-the-counter (OTC) devices are “one-size-fits-all” and often poorly fit the mouth, leading to discomfort, poor effectiveness, and increased risk of side effects like jaw misalignment.
Custom appliances from Sleep Matters are:

• Individually designed for your mouth and condition

• Highly adjustable for comfort and precision

• Supported by medical-grade materials and professional care

• Proven effective through follow-up testing and adjustment

Oral appliances are generally the first-line therapy for mild to moderate sleep apnoea. For severe cases, CPAP is usually recommended first.
However, oral appliance therapy can be a highly valuable alternative for severe sleep apnoea patients who:

• Are unable or unwilling to tolerate CPAP

• Prefer a portable, silent treatment option

• Are managed by a trained dental sleep medicine professional with close monitoring

At Sleep Matters, we work closely with your sleep physician to ensure you receive the right treatment for your level of apnoea severity.

• A premium, custom-designed 3D-printed oral appliance using the latest technology

• A satisfaction guarantee with a 80% refund option if you're not happy with your results within 3 months

• Ongoing expert support, including any extra adjustment or review visits as needed within the first 12 months

• A comprehensive three-year warranty covering the appliance and its care