Sleep apnoea treatment in Wellington
Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a condition where the airway repeatedly collapses during sleep, causing snoring, choking, and disrupted breathing.
Most people who come to us with sleep apnoea symptoms have been struggling for a long time - often without realising it. Sleep apnoea is common, treatable, and far more manageable than most people expect.
The Sleep Matters Clinic provides diagnosis, treatment, and long‑term management for sleep apnoea across Wellington, Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt, Porirua, and Kapiti.
What is obstructive sleep apnoea?
Obstructive sleep apnoea is a sleep disorder where the airway becomes partially or fully blocked during sleep, causing repeated pauses in breathing, snoring, and drops in oxygen levels.
Common symptoms
Loud snoring
Choking or gasping during sleep
Morning headaches
Daytime sleepiness
Poor concentration
Waking unrefreshed
Why sleep apnoea matters
Untreated OSA increases the risk of:
High blood pressure
Heart disease
Stroke
Type 2 diabetes
Workplace and driving accidents
Understanding Obstructive Sleep Apnoea
How we diagnose sleep apnoea
At‑home sleep study
At-home sleep studies can be organised directly through the Sleep Matters Clinic:
Simple overnight sleep test
Comfortable, familiar environment
Results analysed by a specialist sleep physician
Clear diagnosis and treatment plan
Understanding your results
The sleep study results are analysed by a specialist sleep physician, and the sleep report includes information about your:
Apnoea-Hypopnoea Index (AHI)
Oxygen levels
Snoring intensity
Treatment recommendations
Sleep apnoea treatment options
CPAP therapy
CPAP uses gentle air pressure to keep the airway open.
Gold standard treatment
Highly effective for severe OSA
Requires face mask, tube connectors and machine use
Oral appliance therapy (mandibular advancement splints)
A slim, custom device worn during sleep to hold the jaw forward.
Ideal for mild-moderate OSA
Medically proven alternative if CPAP can’t be tolerated
Quiet, easy to transport, comfortable
Positional therapy
For patients whose OSA worsens on their back.
Encourages side-sleeping
Often used with other treatments
Lifestyle and medical management
Helpful when used together with other treatments.
Weight management
Nasal breathing optimisation
Reducing alcohol intake
Collaboration with GP's, ENT’s and sleep physicians
Why choose the Sleep Matters Clinic?
Wellington’s dedicated Dental Sleep Medicine clinic
Dr Jessica Harris and the Sleep Matters team specialise exclusively in snoring and sleep apnoea care - not general dentistry.
Comprehensive diagnosis & treatment
From sleep studies to CPAP alternatives, we provide full‑pathway care.
Collaborative medical approach
We work closely with sleep physicians, GPs, ENTs, and dentists to ensure safe, evidence‑based care.
Personalised, patient‑first treatment plans
Every plan is tailored to your airway, sleep study, symptoms & lifestyle.
Our sleep apnoea care process
Step 1: Free suitability screening
Your free screening includes a review of your symptoms, an assessment of any previous sleep studies (or arrangement of a new test if required), a check of your suitability for treatment, and a clear explanation of the next steps.
Step 2: At‑home sleep study
If you haven’t had a sleep study, we arrange a simple overnight test you can complete at home, with results interpreted by a sleep physician to provide a clear and accurate diagnosis.
Step 3: Treatment selection
Once your diagnosis is confirmed, we help you choose the most appropriate treatment option, whether that’s CPAP therapy, oral appliance therapy, positional therapy, or a combination of approaches.
Step 4: Follow‑up and long‑term care
We monitor your progress, optimise your treatment over time, arrange repeat sleep studies when needed, and provide ongoing support to ensure long‑term results.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Obstructive sleep apnoea is a condition where the throat tissues collapse during sleep and block the airway. Breathing interruptions can repeat many times throughout the night.
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Common signs include loud snoring, choking or gasping during sleep, and waking unrefreshed. Daytime tiredness and reduced concentration also appear in many people.
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Treatment at our clinic focuses on oral appliance therapy supported by a diagnosis from a sleep physician, where required. CPAP may still feature in wider care, though our service centres on dental sleep medicine solutions.
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Yes, oral appliance therapy is presented as a proven alternative for many people who cannot tolerate CPAP. Suitability depends on clinical assessment and confirmed diagnosis.
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Diagnosis is confirmed through sleep testing, with our pathway using an overnight home sleep study when needed. A specialist sleep physician reviews results and provides an official report.
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Yes, obstructive sleep apnoea is common and is often undiagnosed because many of the symptoms occur during sleep. People sometimes only become aware of symptoms when a partner notices breathing changes at night.
Book your Free Sleep Apnoea Assessment
If you’re ready to understand your symptoms and explore treatment options, you can book a free screening at our Wellington clinic. This appointment gives you a clear picture of what’s happening with your sleep and whether oral appliance therapy is right for you.