32 Yrs Dentistry
Dr. Sandeep Jain
Dental Implants, Bone Grafting, All on 4, Cosmetic Dentistry, Veneers, Dentures
Director / General Dentist
Speaks: English, Hindi, Punjabi
Snoring and Sleep Apnoea
Struggling with poor sleep or loud snoring? You know how it can impact rest, health, and overall well-being. At Smith & Jain Dentists in Central HK, we offer advanced sleep apnoea treatment to restore your restful nights. Our innovative approach includes the Pranaq Tiptraq wearable sleep tracker and the Mandibular Advancement Devices (MADs) Serene Silensor for effective therapy. Our services provide personalized care to combat sleep apnoea and improve your overall health.
Book a consultation today to start your journey toward better sleep!
Table of Content
What is Mandibular Advancement Devices Serene Silensor?
A Mandibular Advancement Device is a custom-made oral appliance, similar to a sports mouthguard, that you wear while you sleep. Its primary function is to gently hold your lower jaw (mandible) forward. This simple movement of just 3-4mm is often all it takes to make a dramatic difference.
How does it work?
- Repositions the Jaw & Tongue: The forward movement pulls the tongue forward, preventing it from collapsing and blocking the airway.
- Widens the Airway: This creates more space in the throat, allowing air to flow freely and reducing the vibrations that cause snoring.
- Improves Oxygen Flow: By keeping the airway open, a MAD helps maintain healthy oxygen levels and reduces breathing disruptions throughout the night.
Why a Custom-Made MAD from a Dentist is the Gold Standard
While you can find inexpensive, prefabricated “boil-and-bite” MADs online or in pharmacies, these off-the-shelf options come with significant drawbacks:
- Poor Fit: Prefabricated devices are one-size-fits-all, but mouths are not. A poor fit can be uncomfortable, cause jaw pain, and lead to patients abandoning the treatment altogether.
- Ineffective Positioning: They often cannot achieve the precise, calibrated forward positioning (the crucial 3-4mm) needed to effectively open the airway without strain.
- Potential for Damage: An ill-fitting device can cause your teeth to shift unintentionally over time, leading to bite problems and requiring orthodontic correction.
- Lack of Professional Oversight: There is no dental professional to assess your suitability, monitor progress, or adjust the device for comfort and efficacy.
In contrast, a custom-made MAD from a qualified dentist is a medical-grade solution:
- Precise and Comfortable: We take detailed digital impressions of your teeth to create a device that fits your unique dental architecture perfectly, maximising comfort and compliance.
- Calibrated and Adjustable: We can precisely calibrate the degree of advancement to the exact millimetre that is most effective for your airway while remaining comfortable for your jaw joints. Many custom devices also allow for fine-tuning after you take it home.
- Safe for Your Teeth and Jaw: The device is designed to distribute pressure evenly, protecting your teeth and temperomandibular joints (TMJ).
- Part of a Comprehensive Plan: Your dentist works as part of your healthcare team, ensuring the MAD is the right treatment for your specific condition.
How We Help You to Diagnose Sleep Apnoea?
Suspect sleep apnoea? We use the Pranaq Tiptraq wearable sleep tracker, a cutting-edge device to monitor your sleep patterns.
1. At-Home Sleep Screening
You’ll wear a compact, easy-to-use device (the Pranaq TipTraQTM) for 7 nights to monitor your breathing and oxygen levels.
2. Detailed Results Review
We’ll analyse the comprehensive data with you at a follow-up appointment.
3. Personalised Treatment Plan
If a MAD is right for you, we’ll craft your custom device based on the precise findings from your test.
What is Sleep Apnoea?
Sleep apnoea is a serious sleep disorder where your breathing repeatedly stops and starts throughout the night. These pauses can last from a few seconds to minutes and may happen 30 times or more an hour. Each time your breathing resumes, it might be with a loud snort or choking sound. This cycle disrupts your sleep, preventing you from reaching the deep, restorative stages of sleep your body needs.
There are two main types
- Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA): The most common form, caused by the relaxation of throat muscles which collapse and block the airway.
- Central Sleep Apnoea: Occurs when your brain doesn’t send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.
How is it Related to Snoring?
While not everyone who snores has sleep apnoea, snoring is a primary warning sign.
- Snoring is the hoarse or harsh sound that occurs when air flows past relaxed tissues in your throat, causing the tissues to vibrate as you breathe.
- Sleep Apnoea involves the same vibration but with a critical difference: the airway becomes completely blocked, stopping breathing altogether.
Think of it this way: Loud, frequent snoring is a key symptom of obstructive sleep apnoea. However, if your snoring is interrupted by episodes of gasping or choking, you likely be experiencing apnoea events and should seek a professional evaluation.
How Does Sleep Apnoea Affect Health?
Untreated sleep apnoea significantly impacts your health, increasing risks of:
Cardiovascular Issues
Hypertension and heart disease due to oxygen deprivation.
Cognitive Decline
Memory problems and difficulty concentrating from poor sleep.
Metabolic Disorders
Higher chances of diabetes and weight gain.
Daytime Fatigue
Reduced productivity and mood swings in Hong Kong’s busy environment.
How Do You Know If You Have Sleep Apnoea? Snoring is a Key Sign
While loud, persistent snoring is a strong indicator, sleep apnoea involves pauses in breathing. It’s important to get a professional diagnosis. The journey often starts with recognising the symptoms:
- Loud, frequent snoring
- Witnessed pauses in breathing during sleep (noted by a partner)
- Gasping or choking sounds at night
- Waking up feeling unrefreshed, despite a full night’s sleep
- Daytime fatigue and sleepiness
- Morning headaches
- Difficulty concentrating
Diagnosis typically involves a sleep study. Today, this is easier than ever. While an in-lab study is an option, many patients are now given a simple, take-home monitoring device for a night or two. This device tracks your breathing, oxygen levels, and heart rate. Additionally, wearable technology like the Oura Ring, Apple Watch or other tracking devices can provide useful data on sleep patterns and oxygen saturation, which can be helpful information for diagnosis.
Who is at Risk for Sleep Apnea?
- 📌 Individuals with upper respiratory tract disorders
- 📌 Those who are overweight or have a BMI over 35 kg/m²
- 📌 People with high blood pressure
- 📌 Regular smokers and alcohol consumers
- 📌 Males (higher risk compared to females and children)
Who is a Good Candidate for an Anti-Snoring Device?
- ✔ Those who snore loudly and continuously
- ✔ Those with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
- ✔ Those who opt out of surgery
- ✔ Those who do not want to use a CPAP machine
Benefits of Anti-Snoring Appliances
- ✅ 3D digital scanning ensures a highly accurate, custom-made fit
- ✅ Personalized design for a perfect fit
- ✅ Reduces snoring and helps with sleep apnea
- ✅ Enhances sleep quality for better daytime performance
- ✅ Small, portable, and requires no power source
- ✅ Easy to clean and maintain
- ✅ Comfortable to wear, suitable for Hong Kong’s climate
- ✅ No embarrassment while wearing it, allowing normal daily activities
- ✅ No annoying noise disturbing your partner or roommates
- ✅ Prevents tooth wear for those who grind their teeth at night
Our Sleep Apnoea Dentist
Book Your Sleep Apnoea Consultation Today!
Take the first step towards better sleep and health. Contact Smith & Jain Dentists in Central, Hong Kong, to book a professional consultation with our expert team.