Snoring or sleep apnoea: how can a dentist help?

When should snoring be assessed?

Snoring can occur without apnoea, but it does not rule out a breathing problem during sleep. Tell a healthcare professional if someone notices breathing pauses, you wake gasping, or you experience substantial daytime sleepiness.

Fábrica do Sorriso starts by understanding your sleep and medical history. A sleep study may be needed to establish the diagnosis and severity. A questionnaire or phone application does not replace clinical evaluation.

What should I bring to my first appointment?

Bring sleep studies, medical reports, your medication list and details of treatments you use. If you have CPAP, explain your specific difficulties using it. Without a diagnosis, describe your symptoms and how long you have noticed them.

The team also assesses your teeth, gums, jaw and suitability for an oral appliance. An initial consultation takes around 45 minutes as a reference. Treatment recommendations consider both dental assessment and information from sleep medicine professionals.

• Sleep

  snoring, waking, observed pauses and daytime tiredness.

• Medical history

  conditions, medication and earlier treatments.

• Oral health

  teeth, gums, bite and jaw joint.

• Examinations

  existing studies or referral for those needed.

How does a mandibular advancement device work?

This custom oral appliance holds the jaw further forward during sleep, helping keep the airway open in selected cases. Fábrica do Sorriso’s described process includes digital planning, fitting the appliance and adjustment appointments.

It is different from a regular bruxism splint or a generic appliance bought without assessment. Teeth, gum health and the jaw joint affect suitability. The team explains the proposed device, how to care for it and its costs before treatment.

Can it replace CPAP?

That depends on diagnosis, severity and individual needs. An oral appliance may be an option for selected obstructive sleep apnoea cases, including when CPAP is not tolerated, but it is not suitable for every situation.

Do not stop prescribed treatment yourself. Decisions are made with the responsible doctor and dental sleep medicine team. Severe apnoea or other forms of apnoea may need a different approach. The aim is to control the breathing problem as well as reduce snoring.

Why is follow-up needed after receiving the device?

The appliance needs fitting and adjustments according to your response and comfort. Reviews also assess teeth, bite and jaw. Contact the clinic about pain or difficulty wearing it rather than modifying the appliance at home.

Less snoring alone does not prove apnoea is controlled. Follow-up with sleep professionals and further testing when indicated assess effectiveness. If you are too sleepy to drive safely, do not drive and seek medical guidance.

What does it cost, and how do I book at FDS?

A dental sleep medicine consultation costs €65 privately. This is not the price of the mandibular advancement device or the whole treatment pathway. Studies, the appliance and additional care have separate costs explained in your plan and quote.

Choose Almada, Fernão Ferro or Baixa da Banheira and request a consultation for snoring or sleep apnoea. Check insurance or agreement cover with reception before visiting. Bring reports from your sleep doctor, if you have one, to help coordinate your care.

The most common questions

Does everyone who snores have sleep apnoea?

No. Snoring can occur without apnoea. Observed breathing pauses, gasping at night or substantial sleepiness warrant assessment and may lead to a sleep study.

Does the €65 fee include the oral device?

€65 is the private dental sleep medicine consultation fee. The device, studies and other care are proposed and quoted separately according to assessment.

Do I need a diagnosis before booking?

No. You can seek assessment of symptoms. Where necessary, the team helps coordinate with sleep medicine professionals and examinations to establish the diagnosis.

Does a bruxism splint treat sleep apnoea?

Do not assume so. A protective splint and a mandibular advancement device have different functions. An apnoea appliance needs its own indication, fitting and follow-up.

Can I stop CPAP when I receive the device?

Any treatment change must be agreed with your responsible doctor. Do not stop CPAP yourself; the new plan needs to be checked for effective control of apnoea.