Dental sleep medicine in Delta and Surrey

Looking for an Alternative to a CPAP Machine?

Dr. Tim Cheung is a sleep dentist who provides custom oral appliance therapy for adults with a physician’s diagnosis, and a sleep screening if you think something may be wrong.

Request An Appointment

Please don’t include medical details in this form. If you have a prescription or sleep study report, email it to [email protected] before your visit.

    Have you had a sleep study?

    Do you currently have a dentist?


    Visit our dental clinic serving Surrey and Delta

    Address

    #302-8035 120 St. Delta BC V4C 6P8

    Phone

    604-596-5585

    Hours

    Mon: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
    Tue: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
    Wed: 8:00 am to 3:00 pm.
    Thu: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
    Fri to Sun: Closed.

    Our front desk answers calls during office hours and returns messages right away. Calls after hours or on Fri to Sun are returned Monday.
    This page is for general information and is not medical advice. Obstructive sleep apnea is a medical condition that requires diagnosis by a physician. A dentist does not diagnose sleep apnea. Oral appliance therapy is provided after a written request or prescription from your physician.
    Hours line: Mon, Tue, Thu 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Wed 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. Closed Fri to Sun. Messages left outside these hours are returned Monday.

    Health Canada licensed devices for sleep apnea

    Works with your physician

    Signs worth talking to your doctor about

    Snoring is often seen as a nuisance, but it may be associated with sleep-disordered breathing, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Poor-quality sleep may affect your energy, concentration and overall well-being.

    • Loud or frequent snoring
    • Pauses in breathing during sleep that someone else has noticed
    • Waking up tired even after a full night in bed
    • Low energy or trouble concentrating during the day
    • A CPAP machine you can’t tolerate because of the mask, the noise or the restricted movement
    These signs don’t mean you have sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is a medical condition that only a physician can diagnose. A sleep screening with Dr. Cheung is a good first step, and he will refer you to your doctor if it is warranted.

    Choose the path that fits you

    I think I might have a sleep problem

    1. Book a sleep consultation online or call 604-596-5585.
    2. At your visit, Dr. Cheung goes through medical questionnaires, explains how obstructive sleep apnea presents and the health risks it carries, and reviews the different treatment options.
    3. He then does a preliminary check of your teeth, gums and oral health to see whether an oral appliance could be an option for you.
    4. If sleep apnea is suspected, he refers you to your physician for assessment and diagnosis.

    Already have a dentist? Dr. Cheung is happy to work alongside them. We would not seek to be your main dental provider, only to help treat sleep-disordered breathing. If you don’t have a dentist, your first visit is a new patient exam that includes the sleep screening.

    I already have a prescription or sleep study

    1. Email your physician’s prescription and your sleep study report to [email protected] before your visit.
    2. Book online or call 604-596-5585.
    3. Dr. Cheung reviews your paperwork and assesses whether an oral appliance is suitable for you.
    4. If it is, your custom appliance is made and fitted, then adjusted over several follow-up visits.
    Snoring only? An appliance for snoring is available, but a sleep study is still required first to rule out obstructive sleep apnea.

    An alternative to a CPAP machine: the custom oral appliance

    CPAP is the traditional treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, but some people find the mask bulky, the noise disruptive or the restricted movement hard to live with. For selected patients, a custom oral appliance may be an option, and data shows many patients tolerate an oral appliance much better than CPAP.
    A mandibular advancement device (MAD) is a custom-made appliance worn during sleep. It gently positions the lower jaw forward to help keep the airway more open. It is adjustable, often in steps as small as half a millimetre, so comfort and fit can be fine-tuned.
    Unlike over-the-counter boil-and-bite mouthguards, a custom appliance is made for your mouth after a comprehensive dental exam and diagnostic records. Appliances for sleep apnea are Health Canada licensed medical devices.
    Not everyone is a suitable candidate. Dr. Cheung looks at your oral health, jaw function, number of teeth and existing dental work before recommending an appliance.

    What to expect after you start

    Regular follow-up visits during the first six months while the appliance is adjusted.
    An exam at least once a year after that.
    With proper care, a custom appliance may last three to five years.

    One option among several

    An oral appliance is only one way to manage sleep-disordered breathing. For every patient, Dr. Cheung looks at:

    Z

    Overall health

    How your general health may relate to your sleep.
    Z

    Lifestyle

    Physical activity, nutrition, your sleep environment and habits, mental health and recreational substance use.
    Z

    Nasal breathing

    A basic evaluation of how well you breathe through your nose.
    Where appropriate, Dr. Cheung works with other health professionals, such as your family physician, a respirologist, an ENT specialist or a psychiatrist, so you get the right care from the right person.

    Your sleep dentist in Delta

    Dr. Tim Cheung provides dental sleep medicine at Wellbeing Dental in North Delta, welcoming patients from Delta, Surrey and the surrounding area. He works as part of your healthcare team and collaborates with your physician.

    How insurance and payment work

    Sleep apnea treatment is usually claimed under extended medical benefits, not dental benefits. Basic MSP does not cover it.

    What to know before you claim:
    • Medical insurers do not speak with dental providers, so you contact your insurer yourself. We give you a form of the questions to ask, so you know your benefits before you commit.
    • Insurers usually ask for your sleep study showing a diagnosis, plus a prescription from your physician for an oral appliance with the reason (for example, you can’t tolerate CPAP). A mild diagnosis often has no coverage.
    • Many plans set an amount toward either a CPAP machine or an oral appliance.
    • You will pay for the treatment upfront, and we will provide a receipt so you can submit your claim to your medical insurance for reimbursement.
    • Payment plans are available over four months.

    Fees depend on your situation. Call 604-596-5585 and we will walk you through them.
    If you receive income or disability assistance, or you can’t tolerate CPAP, the Ministry of Health may provide help with the cost. Ask us for details.

    Is your child snoring or breathing through their mouth?

    Frequent mouth breathing and regular snoring can sometimes point to airway or oral development concerns that deserve attention. Dr. Cheung screens children for sleep-disordered breathing and for related orthodontic and jaw development conditions.
    He looks at breathing, growth patterns and tongue, lip and cheek habits. Recognizing these early can mean faster management if a problem is suspected.
    Based on current guidance, we do not recommend a dental treatment on its own to improve a child’s airway. Screening helps your family get to the right assessment sooner.
    Good to know: early orthodontic treatment, such as rapid palatal expansion to make room for crowded teeth, also widens the nasal cavity, which may improve nasal breathing. This is a side benefit, not a treatment for sleep apnea.

    Frequently asked questions

    Do I need a prescription for an oral appliance?
    For sleep apnea, yes. Dr. Cheung can provide an oral appliance only after a written request or prescription from your physician. If you don’t have a diagnosis yet, start with a sleep screening.
    Can I get an appliance just for snoring?
    Yes, but a sleep study is still required first to rule out obstructive sleep apnea.
    Is an oral appliance better than CPAP?
    They are different options. CPAP is the traditional treatment. An oral appliance may suit selected patients, particularly people who can’t tolerate CPAP, and data shows many patients tolerate an appliance much better. Your physician and Dr. Cheung help you decide what fits.
    Are the appliances approved in Canada?
    Appliances for treating medically diagnosed sleep apnea are Health Canada licensed medical devices.
    Does insurance cover it?
    Sometimes, through extended medical benefits rather than dental benefits. Basic MSP does not cover it. See “How insurance and payment work” above.
    How many visits will I need?
    Expect a few follow-up visits over about four to six months while the appliance is adjusted, then an exam at least once a year.
    How long does an appliance last?
    With proper care, a custom appliance may last three to five years.
    Do I have to become a patient at Wellbeing Dental?
    With proper care, a custom appliance may last three to five years.If you already have a dentist, Dr. Cheung can work alongside them. If you don’t, your first visit is a new patient exam that includes the sleep screening.
    Do you treat children?
    We screen children for sleep-disordered breathing and related orthodontic and jaw concerns. See “Is your child snoring or breathing through their mouth?” above.
    I'm looking for a dental clinic in Surrey. Do you serve my area?
    Yes. Our clinic is in Delta and welcomes patients from Surrey and nearby communities.

    8035 120 St Suite 302, Delta,
    BC V4C 6P8, Canada

    Office Hours

    Mon. 8:00am - 5:30pm
    Tues. 8:00am - 5:30pm
    Wed. 8:00am - 3:00pm
    Thurs. 8:00am - 5:30pm
    Fri. Closed
    Sat. Closed
    Sun. Closed

    NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIPTION