Frequently Asked Questions: Sleep Apnea Gold Coast

  • Can I finance my treatment with a payment plan?

    At the Dental Implant and Specialist Centre, accessible healthcare is a part of our philosophy. For this reason, we have implemented a system of payment that can alleviate the financial stress of medical treatment. You have several options when it comes to paying for your treatment. If you would prefer, you can simply pay upfront.

    However, if you are not in a position to do this, then we can arrange to finance your treatment with a payment plan. Our administrative staff will happily provide you with further information related to payment.

    We aim to make this as straightforward as possible. As a part of this, we do provide our patients with detailed quote confirming the costs associated with treatment. If you are looking to get a Medicare or private health fund rebate, then you can find the relevant information on the quote. It is important to remember that these rebates are at the discretion of Medicare or your private health fund. You should clarify the terms of the rebate to avoid any confusion.

  • Is the maxillo-mandibular advancement procedure performed while awake or asleep?

    Maxillo-mandibular advancement is a form of maxillofacial surgery. As a result, we perform it on patients under general anaesthetic. This means that you will be asleep for the entire duration of the procedure. For all procedures that require an anaesthetist, we use hospital facilities. You will be admitted as an in-patient before your procedure.

    Gold Coast hospitals are among the best in the world, with leading-edge technology and state of the art equipment. When coupled with the expertise of our specialist surgeons, you can rest assured that you are getting the best treatment possible. For all of our surgical procedures, we aim to be as non-invasive as possible. This allows us to minimise your time spent in recovery, and maximise the outcome of the procedure.

  • How long will I be spending in recovery?

    If you undergo maxillo-mandibular advancement surgery, then you will spend time recovering both in the hospital and at home. Immediately following your surgery you will probably spend between three and four nights in the hospital.

    This period of recovery is particularly important. During this time, your Gold Coast sleep specialist will be closely observing your progress and recovery. Doing so allows us to ensure that the treatment was a success and that you are not at risk of any complicating factors.

    When you are discharged from the hospital, you will need to spend another three to four weeks recovering at home. During your time recovering at home, you cannot work or study. We suggest that, prior to your surgery, you arrange to have at least three weeks off work altogether. Recovery times do vary from patient to patient. Some may take considerably longer to recover than others. Your sleep specialist will be able to give you a clearer idea of how long your recovery will take. It is always advisable to listen carefully and follow any advice offered by your specialist.

  • Is surgery used to treat all severe cases of sleep apnea?

    There are many treatment options available for sleep apnea. At our Gold Coast sleep clinic, we take a personalised approach to the treatment of all our patients. This means that we will work around your needs to devise the right solution. Usually, we resort to surgery in severe cases where patients are not responding or cannot tolerate alternative treatments. Our specialists will offer more information on your treatment when you go for an appointment.