Snoring & Sleep Apnoea Treatment in Bondi Junction

When snoring is more than just annoying

If you snore loudly, wake up gasping for air, or feel exhausted despite spending 8 hours in bed, you might have obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) — a serious condition where your airway repeatedly collapses during sleep, cutting off your oxygen supply.

Sleep apnoea isn't just about snoring or disturbing your partner. Left untreated, it significantly increases your risk of:

• High blood pressure and heart disease
• Stroke
• Type 2 diabetes
• Depression and mood disorders
• Daytime fatigue and impaired concentration
• Motor vehicle accidents due to drowsiness

The good news? Effective treatment exists, and it doesn't necessarily mean sleeping with a CPAP machine.

Dr Brendan Quill specialises in oral appliance therapy — a proven, comfortable alternative to CPAP that many patients find easier to use consistently. After years of helping Eastern Suburbs patients reclaim restful sleep, he's seen firsthand how life-changing proper treatment can be.

How does it compare to CPAP?

CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) is the gold standard treatment for severe sleep apnoea, and it works extremely well — when people actually use it. The problem? Many patients find CPAP masks uncomfortable, claustrophobic, or impractical, leading to poor compliance.

Oral appliances are ideal if you:

• Have mild to moderate sleep apnoea
• Can't tolerate CPAP or have tried and given up
• Travel frequently for work
• Want a quieter, less intrusive solution
• Have a bed partner who's tired of the CPAP noise
• Simply want an alternative to consider

For severe sleep apnoea, CPAP is often still the most effective option. But for many patients with mild to moderate OSA, oral appliances deliver comparable results with much better compliance — and consistent treatment is what actually improves your health.

We're not here to talk you out of CPAP if it's working for you. But if you've struggled with it or never wanted to try it in the first place, oral appliance therapy might be exactly what you need.

The treatment process

1. Initial consultation & assessment — We'll review your sleep study results (if you have one), discuss your symptoms, and examine your teeth, jaw, and airway. If you haven't had a sleep study, we can refer you to a sleep specialist for proper diagnosis — oral appliances are prescription devices that require a sleep apnoea diagnosis.

2. Custom device fitting — If you're a good candidate, we'll take detailed impressions or digital scans of your teeth to create a custom-fitted appliance. Unlike over-the-counter devices, custom appliances are precisely fitted to your mouth for maximum comfort and effectiveness.

3. Adjustment & calibration — At your fitting appointment, we'll ensure the appliance fits comfortably and adjust the jaw position to optimise airway opening. Fine-tuning is normal — we'll schedule follow-up visits to make adjustments as needed.

4. Follow-up & monitoring — After you've been using the appliance for a few months, we'll coordinate with your sleep physician for a follow-up sleep study to confirm the device is working effectively. We'll continue to monitor your progress and make adjustments to ensure optimal results.

5. Ongoing care — We'll see you periodically to check the appliance's condition, assess your bite and jaw health, and make sure the device continues working properly. With good care, oral appliances typically last 3–5 years before needing replacement.

Will it feel uncomfortable?

Most patients adjust to their oral appliance within a week or two. You might experience:

• Mild jaw soreness for the first few days (similar to wearing braces)
• Increased salivation initially (your mouth adapts quickly)
• Temporary tooth sensitivity

These effects typically resolve as you get used to the device. If discomfort persists, we'll adjust the appliance to improve comfort. The key is communication — let us know what you're experiencing so we can fine-tune the fit.

The vast majority of our patients find oral appliances far more comfortable than CPAP masks and actually look forward to better sleep rather than dreading bedtime.