Snoring and Sleep Apnoea

Living in the city that never sleeps, it’s easy to accept feeling tired as the norm. But loud snoring and sleep apnoea can turn rest into a struggle, leaving you drained instead of recharged. At Diestel and Partners, we focus on simple, effective solutions. We use the easy Pranaq Tiptraq sleep tracker and create comfortable, custom-made oral appliances to help you finally get a good night’s sleep. It’s about restoring your natural energy so you can feel your best.

Book a consultation today to start your journey toward better sleep!

What are Mandibular Advancement Devices (MADs)?

Think of it as a very comfortable, custom-made mouthguard that you wear only while you sleep. It’s designed to do one simple thing: gently hold your lower jaw in a slightly forward position. It’s a small adjustment—often just 3 to 4 millimeters —but for many people, that’s all it takes to make a dramatic improvement in how they breathe at night.

How does it help?

It keeps the airway clear: By easing the jaw forward, it also pulls the tongue along with it, stopping it from falling back and blocking your throat while you sleep.
It creates more space: This gentle forward movement opens up the passageway in your throat. When there’s more room, air can flow through easily instead of causing the vibrations we hear as snoring.
It helps you breathe easier: By preventing these blockages, the device helps ensure a steady flow of oxygen throughout the night. This means fewer breathing disruptions and a deeper, more restorative sleep for you.

Why a Custom Fit from Your Dentist Makes All the Difference:

It’s true that you can find less expensive, one-size-fits-all options online or at the pharmacy. These “boil-and-bite” kits might seem convenient, but they often lead to more frustration than relief. Here’s why:

They’re Often Uncomfortable: Everyone’s mouth is unique. A generic device is unlikely to fit you well, which can lead to soreness, jaw discomfort, and ultimately, you just stopping use altogether.
They Might Not Work: These devices lack precision. They often can’t position your jaw in the exact, gentle way needed to effectively open your airway without causing strain.
They Could Cause Issues: An ill-fitting device can actually put pressure on your teeth in the wrong ways, potentially shifting them over time and creating new problems with your bite.
You’re On Your Own: There’s no professional to check if it’s right for you, make adjustments for comfort, or ensure it’s actually working.

This is why we believe in a different approach:

Built Just for You: We use a simple digital scan to create a map of your teeth. This allows us to make a device that fits you perfectly, making it much more comfortable to wear every night.
Precision Adjustment: We can calibrate the device to move your jaw forward just the right amount—enough to make breathing easier, but not so much that it feels uncomfortable.
Safe and Protective: The custom design ensures that any pressure is spread evenly across your teeth, safeguarding your smile and your jaw joints.
Guided Care: Most importantly, you’re not doing this alone. We’re here to ensure the treatment is right for you, answer your questions, and make any needed tweaks to help you succeed.

How We Help You Understand Your Sleep

If you suspect you might have sleep apnoea, figuring it out shouldn’t be complicated. We use a simple, modern approach with the Pranaq TipTraQ, a small wearable device that gives us clear insights into your sleep patterns from the comfort of your own home.

Our Process at Diestel and Partners

1. A Simple Test at Home

We’ll provide you with a small, easy-to-use device (the Pranaq TipTraQ) to wear on your finger for a few nights. It quietly monitors your breathing and oxygen levels while you sleep in your own bed.

2. A Clear Conversation About Your Results

We’ll sit down with you, explain what the data shows in plain language, and answer all your questions. There’s no confusing medical jargon.

3. A Personalised Path Forward

If the results show that a Mandibular Advancement Device could help you, we’ll create your custom appliance based on the specific findings from your test.

What is Sleep Apnoea?

In simple terms, sleep apnoea is a condition where your breathing pauses throughout the night. These pauses can last from a few seconds to a minute and can happen many times an hour. Each time you start breathing again, it might be with a loud snort or gasp. This constant cycle pulls you out of deep sleep, even if you don’t remember waking up, preventing your body and mind from getting the rest they need to recharge.

There are two main types

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA): This is the most common type. It happens when the muscles in the back of your throat relax too much, causing a physical blockage in your airway.
Central Sleep Apnoea: This is less common and occurs when your brain doesn’t send the proper signals to the muscles that control your breathing.

How is it Connected to Snoring?

While not everyone who snores has sleep apnoea, loud and persistent snoring is one of the biggest clues.

Snoring is the sound that happens when air flows past a narrowed airway in your throat, causing airflow turbulence.

Sleep Apnoea is what happens when those tissues relax so much that they completely block your airway, stopping your breathing altogether.

A good way to think of it is: snoring can be the sound of a narrow airway, but sleep apnoea is what happens when it slams shut. If your snoring is often interrupted by silent pauses followed by choking or gasping sounds, it’s a strong sign you should get it checked out.

How Can Sleep Apnoea Affect Your Health?

When left untreated, the constant cycle of waking up and struggling for breath night after night can take a real toll on your overall health, increasing your risk of:

Heart Problems

The strain of oxygen deprivation can lead to high blood pressure and put extra stress on your heart.

Daytime Fatigue

It’s more than just feeling tired. It can lead to a lack of energy, low mood, and difficulty concentrating on your day.

Metabolic Issues

It can affect your body’s ability to process sugars, increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes and making weight management more challenging.

Could You Have Sleep Apnoea? Listen to the Clues.

While loud, constant snoring is a big red flag, the real sign of sleep apnoea is when those snores are interrupted by silence—those moments when breathing actually stops. If you’re wondering whether this might be you, it often starts by noticing a few key signs:

Your snoring is loud enough to be heard in another room.
A partner has told you they sometimes hear you stop breathing, gasp, or choke in your sleep.
You wake up feeling just as tired as when you went to bed.
You struggle with daytime fatigue, even after a full night’s sleep.
You often wake up with a dry mouth, sore throat, or morning headache.
You have trouble focusing or remembering things during the day.

Getting A Clear Answer Is Easier Than You Think

While a sleep study is the best way to know for sure, it doesn’t always mean an overnight stay in a lab. For many people, it’s as simple as using a small, take-home monitor for a night or two that tracks your breathing and oxygen levels. Even data from your own smartwatch or sleep ring can provide helpful clues to discuss with us.

Who Might Be More at Risk?

Some people are more likely to develop sleep apnoea. You might recognise yourself in this list:

Anyone with a narrower airway or ongoing nasal congestion.
Those who are carrying some extra weight.
People who have been diagnosed with high blood pressure.
Individuals who smoke or regularly consume alcohol.
Men are statistically at a higher risk than women.

Is a MAD a Good Option for You?

A custom oral appliance can be a great solution for many people, especially if you:

Snore loudly and regularly, disturbing your own sleep or your partner’s.
Have been diagnosed with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnoea.
Are looking for an alternative to surgery or find a CPAP machine uncomfortable or inconvenient.

What Are the Benefits of Choosing a Custom Device?

Opting for a device made just for you comes with some wonderful advantages:

A Perfect Fit: We use 3D scanning to make a device that fits your smile uniquely, so it’s comfortable to wear.
It Actually Works: It’s highly effective at reducing snoring and managing sleep apnoea.
Wake Up Refreshed: By improving your sleep, you’ll feel more energised and clear-headed during the day.
Simple and Convenient: It’s small, doesn’t need any power, and is easy to take with you when you travel.
Easy to Live With: It’s simple to clean and comfortable to wear every night.
Quiet and Discreet: It works silently, so it won’t disturb your partner, and no one needs to know you’re wearing it.
Dual Protection: For those who grind their teeth at night, it also acts as a protective guard.

If any of this sounds familiar, the best next step is to have a conversation with us. We’re here to listen and help you find the right path to a better night’s sleep.

Our Sleep Apnoea Dentist

Dr. Sandeep Jain

Dental Implants, Bone Grafting, All on 4, Cosmetic Dentistry, Veneers, Dentures

Director / General Dentist
Speaks: English, Hindi, Punjabi

Book Your Sleep Apnoea Consultation Today!

Take the first step towards better sleep and health. Contact Diestel & Partners in Central Hong Kong to book a professional consultation with our expert team.