Sleep Apnoea
What is sleep apnoea?
Sleep Apnoea and Hypopnoea Syndrome (SAHS) is a very common pathology (it affects 25% of the population) that entails a number of risks for health of the patients.
Symptoms of sleep apnoea mainly happen while you sleep.
They include:
- breathing stopping and starting
- making gasping, snorting or choking noises
- waking up a lot
- loud snoring
During the day, you may also:
- feel very tired
- find it hard to concentrate
- have mood swings
- have a headache when you wake up
Thanks to APNiA® the patients with mild and moderate apnoea can be screened where appropriate and treated in dental clinics using personalised splints. It is also useful for patients with severe apnoea who reject or do not tolerate treatment with CPAP machines, provided by sleep units, or to establish combined treatment.
Why treat this at a dental clinic?
Recently published studies show that there is a direct relationship between bruxism and SAHS, so dentists become the first port of call for the detection of sleep apnoea and thanks to APNiA® they are also the first port of call for the diagnosis and treatment of mild-moderate cases of SAHS and patients with chronic snoring.
BTI APNIA, System of diagnosis and treatment for sleep apnoea and snoring
The APNiA® system is the only one on the market that allows diagnosis and subsequent treatment. It consists of an electronic device that performs the sleep study, diagnosis software and an intraoral device to treat to the patient.
Electronic Device APNiA®
APNiA® detects 7 different information channels while the patient is sleeping: respiratory flow, respiratory effort, oximetry, heart rate, body position, snoring and respiratory rate..
The device is comfortable and easy for the patient to put on at home, adjusting the nasal cannula and pulse oximeter on the index finger.
Diagnosis Software
The device software lets you know simply, reliably and fully automatically whether the pathology is present and its level of severity.
Due to its design and functionality, the software tops the list of the most simplified respiratory polygraphs on the market, making it possible to carry out the sleep test at home without the supervision of technical staff. Additionally, it allows professionals to automatically interpret the results using the associated BTI Apnia software.
This device detects 7 different information channels while the patient is sleeping: oximetry, heart rate, snoring, body position, respiratory rate, respiratory flow and respiratory effort, which allow the different types of sleep apnoea to be identified.
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Following the results of a sleep study, Lisa will inform the patient of their level of severity in regards to any apnoea’s. If the level is mild to moderate she is likely to recommend an Anti-Snoring Device. If the level is severe, she will refer you for appropriate diagnosis and management.
Anti Snoring appliance with buccal connecting hinges
The Silensor device moves the mandible (upper jaw) forward using flexible plastic hinges to connect upper and lower splints this helps to improve the opening of the airway.
The bespoke features of the design
- Varying sizes of hinges are supplied to allow the mandible to move further forward
- The appliance is individually designed and manufactured in a fully digital process (CAD CAM)
- The Silencer device is made out of an innovative material which increases comfort and minimises breakages.
Follow up
Lisa will ask you to attend for follow up appointments to discuss your progress with the device. Due to the nature of the design, the hinges may need to be changed for the most effective results.
Lisa will repeat the sleep study once again following several weeks of the patient wearing the device and compare the results.
Fees
Initial Consultation – £50
Sleep Study and Analysis – £150
Sleep Silensor – £650*
*If a patient proceeds with a sleep silensor following a sleep study and consultation then the total fee will be £650 and the fee for the consultation and sleep study will be deducted.