Sleep Apnea Treatment

Common symptoms include: loud snoring, gasping or choking during sleep (often noticed by a partner), waking up with a dry mouth or headache, excessive daytime sleepiness, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and waking frequently during the night. If you experience several of these symptoms, talk to your doctor or dentist about a sleep evaluation.

A mandibular advancement device (MAD) gently positions your lower jaw slightly forward during sleep. This prevents the soft tissues at the back of your throat from collapsing and blocking your airway. The result is reduced snoring, fewer apnea episodes, better oxygen levels, and more restful sleep.

For mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, oral appliances are recognized as an effective treatment option by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. For severe sleep apnea, CPAP is generally considered the gold standard. However, an oral appliance may be recommended for severe cases when a patient cannot tolerate CPAP, since a treatment you actually use is better than one you don’t.

Custom-made oral appliances are much more comfortable than you might expect. They’re small, lightweight, and made specifically from impressions of your teeth. Most patients adjust to wearing one within 1 to 2 weeks. Unlike CPAP machines, there are no masks, hoses, or noise to deal with.

Yes. A proper diagnosis of sleep apnea through a sleep study (either in a lab or a home sleep test) is required before oral appliance therapy. This ensures the treatment is appropriate for your condition and allows us to compare results after treatment. We can help coordinate the process if you haven’t had a study yet.

Oral appliances for diagnosed sleep apnea are often covered by medical insurance (not dental insurance), since sleep apnea is a medical condition. Coverage varies by plan, so our team will help verify your benefits and navigate the pre-authorization process. Out-of-pocket costs typically range from $1,500 to $3,000 without insurance.

Absolutely. Dentists with training in dental sleep medicine are qualified to fabricate and manage oral appliance therapy for sleep apnea. We work in collaboration with your physician or sleep specialist to ensure your treatment is comprehensive and effective. The dentist’s role is the appliance; the physician’s role is the diagnosis and overall management.