Sleep Apnea Treatment

Oral Appliance Therapy

pro somnusSleep apnea is a condition where breathing is repeatedly interrupted during sleep. These pauses can affect sleep quality, oxygen levels, energy, focus, and overall health.

Common signs of sleep apnea may include loud snoring, waking up gasping or choking, morning headaches, daytime fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and restless sleep. Sleep apnea is often diagnosed through a sleep study, either at home or through a sleep medicine provider.

How Oral Appliance Therapy Can Help

For many patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, or for patients who cannot tolerate CPAP therapy, a custom oral appliance may be an effective treatment option.

An oral appliance is worn while sleeping and is designed to gently position the lower jaw forward. This helps keep the airway more open and can reduce snoring and breathing interruptions during sleep.

A Comfortable Alternative to CPAP

CPAP therapy is still considered the standard treatment for many patients with sleep apnea, especially more severe cases. However, some patients find CPAP difficult to tolerate because of the mask, air pressure, noise, or travel inconvenience.

For appropriate candidates, oral appliance therapy may offer a smaller, quieter, and more comfortable alternative.

ProSomnus Oral Appliances

pro somnus applianceAt Winston Smiles Dentistry, we may use advanced oral appliance systems such as ProSomnus for sleep apnea treatment. ProSomnus appliances are custom-made, precision-designed devices that are created to fit comfortably while helping support a more open airway during sleep.

Compared with some traditional oral appliances, ProSomnus devices are designed with a low-profile, durable, and patient-friendly design. We will help determine whether this type of appliance is appropriate based on your diagnosis, anatomy, comfort, and treatment goals.

What to Expect

If oral appliance therapy may be right for you, we will review your sleep apnea diagnosis, evaluate your teeth, bite, jaw joints, and airway-related concerns, and discuss treatment options.

A custom oral appliance is made specifically for your mouth. Once delivered, we will make adjustments as needed and help coordinate follow-up care with your sleep physician when appropriate.

Is Oral Appliance Therapy Right for You?

Oral appliance therapy may be an option for patients who:

  • Have mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea
  • Snore or have airway-related sleep concerns
  • Cannot tolerate CPAP therapy
  • Want a smaller, travel-friendly treatment option
  • Have been referred by a sleep physician for oral appliance therapy

Because sleep apnea is a medical condition, diagnosis and ongoing care should involve a qualified medical provider or sleep physician. Our role is to help provide the dental appliance therapy when it is appropriate.

If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea or are having difficulty tolerating CPAP therapy, contact Winston Smiles Dentistry to learn more about oral appliance therapy.