Snoring is common. It is also, for many people, more than a noise problem. Chronic snoring can indicate obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), a condition where the airway partially or fully closes during sleep. Left unmanaged, OSA is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular issues, daytime fatigue, and reduced quality of life.
If you have been told you snore heavily or you have a confirmed OSA diagnosis, a custom oral appliance fitted by a dentist may be worth considering. At Ivy Dental in Brisbane, we design and fit mandibular advancement splints (MAS) at our Everton Park and Nundah clinics as part of our dental sleep medicine service.
Important clarification: Dental sleep medicine is not sedation dentistry. Ivy Dental does not offer IV sedation, happy gas, or general anaesthesia. Dental sleep medicine treats a sleep disorder using a custom oral appliance worn during sleep. Sedation dentistry manages anxiety during dental procedures. They are entirely different services.
How a mandibular advancement splint works
A mandibular advancement splint is a two-piece device made from dental impressions of your upper and lower teeth. When worn during sleep, it holds the lower jaw (mandible) in a slightly forward position.
This forward positioning does two things. It increases the space behind the tongue, reducing the likelihood of soft tissue collapsing into the airway. It also tensions the muscles of the throat, helping to keep the airway open.
The result, in many cases, is a measurable reduction in snoring and in the number of apnoea events per hour. Research published in the journal Sleep and other peer-reviewed sources has found oral appliances to be effective for mild to moderate OSA, particularly when patients cannot tolerate CPAP therapy.
Custom vs over-the-counter devices
Pharmacies and online retailers sell "boil and bite" snoring mouthguards. These are heated, moulded loosely to the teeth, and worn overnight. They cost between $30 and $150.
Custom devices made by a dentist differ in several ways:
- Fit. A custom splint is made from precise dental impressions or digital scans. It fits securely and does not dislodge during sleep.
- Adjustability. Most prescription splints have a mechanism that allows the degree of jaw advancement to be adjusted over time. This lets the dentist fine-tune the appliance for effectiveness and comfort.
- Durability. Custom devices are fabricated from medical-grade materials and typically last several years with proper care.
- Monitoring. When a dentist fits the appliance, they also monitor your jaw joints, bite, and any side effects at follow-up appointments.
Over-the-counter devices may reduce snoring noise for some people. They do not offer the precision, adjustability, or clinical oversight of a prescription appliance. For a diagnosed sleep disorder, a custom device fitted by a trained clinician is the appropriate option.
Who may benefit from an oral appliance
Not everyone with snoring or OSA is a candidate for a mandibular advancement splint. Suitability depends on several factors.
Good candidates may include:
- Patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnoea confirmed by a sleep study
- Patients who snore chronically but do not have OSA (primary snoring)
- Patients who have tried CPAP and cannot tolerate the mask, noise, or maintenance
- Patients who travel frequently and want a portable alternative to CPAP
An oral appliance may not be suitable if:
- You have severe OSA (your sleep physician will advise on the right treatment)
- You have fewer than 8 to 10 healthy teeth to anchor the device
- You have active temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder
- You have significant jaw movement restrictions
Your sleep physician and dentist will assess suitability together. A current sleep study is required before we can evaluate whether an oral appliance is appropriate for you.
Book a dental sleep medicine consultation to discuss your options.
The process at Ivy Dental
Step 1: Sleep study. Before any dental treatment, you need a confirmed diagnosis. This requires a sleep study, either in a sleep lab or as a home-based test arranged by your GP or sleep physician. We do not conduct sleep studies, but we can advise on the referral pathway.
Step 2: Dental assessment. Once you have your sleep study results, we assess your teeth, jaw joints, and bite to determine if an oral appliance is suitable. We also discuss your symptoms, sleep patterns, and any previous treatments.
Step 3: Impressions and fabrication. We take detailed impressions or digital scans of your teeth. These are sent to a specialist dental laboratory (or in some cases fabricated by our in-house lab) to manufacture the appliance. Fabrication typically takes 2 to 3 weeks.
Step 4: Fitting and calibration. At the fitting appointment, we adjust the appliance for comfort and set the initial jaw advancement position. Over the following weeks, you may return for adjustments as the appliance is calibrated for optimal effectiveness.
Step 5: Follow-up. We recommend a follow-up sleep study after several weeks of consistent use to measure whether the appliance is reducing your apnoea events. Ongoing reviews check for any changes to your bite or jaw joints.
How it compares to CPAP
CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) remains the gold standard for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnoea. It delivers pressurised air through a mask to keep the airway open.
For patients with mild to moderate OSA, oral appliances offer a different set of trade-offs:
Factor | CPAP | Oral appliance |
|---|---|---|
Effectiveness for severe OSA | High | Limited |
Effectiveness for mild-moderate OSA | High | Moderate to high |
Portability | Bulky, requires power | Fits in a small case |
Noise | Fan noise from machine | Silent |
Compliance rates | Variable (mask discomfort) | Generally higher for suitable patients |
Maintenance | Filter changes, mask cleaning | Rinse and brush daily |
Neither option is universally better. The right choice depends on the severity of your condition, your tolerance for each device, and your sleep physician's recommendation.
Snoring, grinding, and the overlap
Many patients who snore also grind their teeth (bruxism). These conditions can coexist, and some patients initially present for a night guard for grinding before discovering they also have a sleep-disordered breathing issue.
A mandibular advancement splint is not a night guard. A night guard protects teeth from grinding forces but does not advance the jaw. An MAS advances the jaw but may not provide the same grinding protection. If you have both conditions, your dentist may recommend a specific device design or a combination approach.
Night guards for selected grinding cases start from $650. A custom mandibular advancement splint at Ivy Dental starts from $1,600 and requires an appropriate diagnostic and clinical pathway.
What to do next
If you snore regularly, the first step is a conversation with your GP about a sleep study. Once you have a diagnosis, our clinical team can assess whether a custom oral appliance is appropriate.
For patients already diagnosed with OSA or chronic snoring who want to explore oral appliance therapy, we welcome you to book a consultation at our Everton Park or Nundah clinic.
Book a dental sleep medicine consultation or call (07) 3266 7120.
Indicative pricing. Your quote may differ based on clinical assessment.
