Sleep Apnoea
Book your Consultation £100
Somnomed Flex & Avant £1200 (includes 2 reviews)
If you snore, wake frequently, feel exhausted, clench or grind your teeth, or struggle with jaw joint discomfort, your breathing during sleep may be part of the picture. Our combined medical and dental approach helps diagnose obstructive sleep apnoea and, where suitable, treat it with a discreet custom mandibular advancement device.
Dr Sandip Banerjee, Respiratory and Sleep Disorders Consultant, and Dr Behzad Manzoor, dentist with a special interest in TMJ, occlusion, tooth wear and oral appliances, have worked collaboratively in Kent and Medway for the past 10 years to support carefully selected patients.
What is Sleep Apnoea?
Sleep apnoea is a sleep disorder characterised by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep. These pauses — known as apnoeas — can last from a few seconds to over a minute, and may occur dozens or even hundreds of times per night.
Each episode causes a brief arousal from sleep, often unnoticed, which disrupts the natural sleep cycle and reduces sleep quality over time.
Many people live with sleep apnoea for years without realising it, attributing their symptoms to stress, ageing, or a busy lifestyle. Left untreated, it can have a significant impact on your health, energy, and quality of life.
Types of Sleep Apnoea
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA)
The most common form. The muscles at the back of the throat relax excessively during sleep, temporarily blocking the upper airway — often resulting in loud snoring, gasping, or choking sensations.
Central Sleep Apnoea (CSA)
The airway stays open, but the brain fails to send the right signals to the muscles that control breathing.
CSA is linked to neurological dysfunction and underlying conditions such as heart failure or stroke.
Complex Sleep Apnoea Syndrome
A combination of OSA and CSA, sometimes emerging after CPAP treatment begins. This type requires careful specialist management.
Symptoms & Risk Factors
Common signs of sleep apnoea include loud persistent snoring, episodes of paused breathing or gasping noticed by a bed partner, waking unrefreshed, morning headaches, and excessive daytime sleepiness. Difficulty concentrating, low mood, and irritability are also frequently reported.
Risk factors that can increase your likelihood of developing sleep apnoea include:
Obesity — excess weight around the neck and upper airway
Anatomical features such as a narrow throat or enlarged tonsils
Older age, being male, smoking, and alcohol consumption
Underlying conditions including heart failure or stroke
Certain medications such as opioids or sedatives
The connection between sleep apnoea and dentistry
Bruxism and tooth wear
Patients with sleep apnoea may clench or grind as part of repeated arousal patterns during sleep. This can contribute to worn teeth, fractured fillings, cracked teeth, muscle tenderness and morning headaches.
Jaw joint strain
Jaw joint clicking, aching muscles, limited mouth opening and facial tension can co-exist with sleep-disordered breathing. In suitable cases, appliance design must respect both the airway and the jaw joints.
Dentists can help identify risk
When a dentist sees heavy grinding, advanced tooth wear, scalloped tongue patterns, fractured restorations or jaw pain, it may be appropriate to ask whether sleep apnoea screening is needed.
What is a mandibular advancement device?
A mandibular advancement device, sometimes called a mandibular advancement splint or oral appliance, is a digitally planned, custom-made device worn during sleep. It gently moves the lower jaw forwards to help keep the airway more open and create better space for the tongue.
How it works
Fits over the teeth as a discreet night-time appliance
Moves the mandible slightly forwards in a controlled way
Helps the tongue and soft tissues sit more favourably
Can improve airflow, reduce snoring and support suitable sleep apnoea cases
For many patients, it can be far easier to travel with and wear than a mask-based treatment.
For many patients, it can be far easier to travel with and wear than a mask-based treatment.
Who may benefit
Patients diagnosed with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnoea
Patients who have been medically assessed and advised that an oral appliance is appropriate
Selected patients who cannot tolerate or do not wish to continue CPAP
Patients with adequate dental and periodontal support for a custom appliance
Why we use SomnoDent Avant technology
For suitable patients, we may recommend the SomnoDent Avant from SomnoMed, one of the most established names in oral appliance therapy. SomnoMed describes itself as the global leader in oral appliance therapy, and the Avant platform is designed as a highly engineered, digitally manufactured mandibular advancement device focused on comfort, stability and accuracy.
Why custom digital appliances matter
Discreet and custom-made
Your device is planned around your own teeth, bite and jaw movement rather than being a generic off-the-shelf solution.
Jaw joint aware
Patients with TMJ symptoms need careful assessment, because the amount of advancement and the style of appliance should be chosen thoughtfully.
Designed around oral health
Gums, teeth, restorations, tooth wear and bite stability all matter before treatment starts and during follow-up.
Your multidisciplinary treatment journey
Meet Dr Sandip Banerjee
Respiratory and Sleep Disorders Consultant
Dr Banerjee is a Kent-based respiratory and sleep specialist with expertise in sleep apnoea and related breathing disorders.
He is a consultant at Medway Maritime Hospital and has led sleep and respiratory support services in Kent. His role in this pathway is diagnosis, medical assessment and determining whether an oral appliance is a suitable treatment option.
Meet Behzad Manzoor
Dentist with a special interest in TMJ, occlusion and oral appliances
Dr Behzad Manzoor is an implant and aesthetic dentist in Kent and Associate Professor and Clinical Lead in Implant Dentistry at the College of Medicine and Dentistry.
His documented interests include TMJ, management of tooth wear and occlusion. In this service, he assesses dental suitability for mandibular advancement devices and plans carefully fitted appliances for selected patients, especially where tooth wear, bruxism or jaw joint factors also need attention.
FAQs
Can I book directly for a mandibular advancement device?
Patients should first have sleep apnoea investigated and diagnosed through the medical pathway. Once diagnosis is established and an oral appliance is recommended, the dental assessment can begin.
Is it an alternative to CPAP?
For suitable patients, yes. Some people with mild to moderate sleep apnoea may be managed with an oral appliance, and some patients who cannot tolerate CPAP may also be considered following medical advice.
Will it help with snoring?
It often can. Because the device helps open the airway during sleep, many patients notice reduced snoring as well as better breathing.
What if I also grind my teeth or have jaw pain?
That is exactly why a dental sleep service should not be one-size-fits-all. Jaw joints, muscles, bite and tooth wear should be assessed before treatment so the appliance is designed appropriately.
Book Your Free Consultation
24/7 Service. Same Day Appointment Are Available
- 01622 728159
- reception@barmingdental.co.uk
- 372 Tonbridge Rd, Maidstone ME16 8TR2
Feedbacks
What our patient say's
Other Locations
London Sleep Apnoea Specialist in Rochester
Are you looking for a sleep apnoea specialist in London? We offer expert consultations and diagnosis for patients across the city. Contact us to book your appointment.
Maidstone Sleep Apnoea Specialist in Maidstone
Based in Kent and looking for sleep apnoea treatment in Maidstone? Our clinic offers comprehensive sleep assessments and specialist care close to home. Get in touch to schedule your consultation.