Oral Appliances
Grinding, snoring, aching jaw?
A surprising number of common problems — morning headaches, chipped teeth, a sore jaw, a partner who can't sleep — can be helped with a well-fitted oral appliance made for your mouth.
Why it matters
Grinding wears teeth down — permanently
If you clench or grind your teeth at night, you're putting the equivalent of a small car through them for several hours every night. Over years, that flattens biting surfaces, chips front teeth and causes sensitivity and jaw pain. A properly made night guard redirects that force away from your teeth so you wake up comfortable and your teeth stay intact.
What we offer
Appliances we commonly make
Night guards (occlusal splints)
A custom-fitted splint that protects your teeth and jaw from clenching and grinding at night. Far more comfortable and effective than a boil-and-bite.
Snoring appliances (MAS)
A mandibular advancement splint gently holds your lower jaw slightly forward while you sleep, opening the airway and reducing snoring for you and your partner.
TMD splints
For people with jaw clicking, locking, or muscle pain — a diagnostic and treatment splint that helps settle the joint and muscles.
Orthodontic retainers
Custom retainers to hold your teeth in place after orthodontic treatment, or to maintain a previous result.
How we do it at Austral
Find the cause first
Before we make any appliance, we look at why you need it. Grinding, for example, can be driven by stress, sleep disturbance, bite issues or even certain medications — so we look at the whole picture, not just the teeth. If we suspect your snoring is actually obstructive sleep apnoea, we'll refer you for a sleep study before making a device.
Appliances made for the wrong reason can do more harm than good. Ours are made for the right reason.
FAQs
Questions people usually ask
How do I know if I grind my teeth?
Common signs are waking up with jaw soreness or headaches, flattened biting surfaces, chipping front teeth, sensitivity, or a partner who hears the grinding at night. A quick exam will tell us what's happening — and most people have no idea they do it until we point it out.
Will a snoring appliance stop me snoring completely?
For many patients, yes — or at least reduce it to something their partner can sleep through. It depends on what's causing the snoring. If we suspect obstructive sleep apnoea, we will refer you for a sleep study first, because sleep apnoea is a medical condition that needs proper diagnosis.
Are night guards covered by health insurance?
Most private health funds cover part of the cost of a custom occlusal splint — the exact amount depends on your fund and level of cover. We can give you a written quote with the item codes so you can check with your fund.
How long does an oral appliance last?
A well-made occlusal splint typically lasts three to five years with regular use, and longer if you only wear it occasionally. Snoring appliances similar. We check fit and wear at your regular check-ups.
Book an appliance consultation
Tell us what's going on and we'll work out whether an appliance will actually help.
Call 02 9606 0553