Sleep Apnea and Oral Appliance Therapy
If you struggle with loud snoring, constant fatigue, or waking up gasping for air, you may have sleep apnea, a condition in which breathing repeatedly starts and stops during sleep. Sleep apnea is diagnosed by a healthcare provider, usually with a sleep study. If you’ve been diagnosed and can’t tolerate a CPAP machine, an oral appliance is something you can discuss with your provider.
At SmileWorks Dental, as a sleep apnea dentist Meridian patients can visit, we offer custom-made oral appliances for patients who have been diagnosed with sleep apnea. These devices are worn during sleep to help keep the airway open.
For 17 years, Dr. Daron Lind has served patients across Meridian, Boise, Kuna, and Nampa, and we work alongside your physician or sleep specialist when appropriate.
Understanding Sleep Apnea and Its Impact
Sleep apnea occurs when breathing repeatedly starts and stops during sleep. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, symptoms can include frequent loud snoring, gasping for air, daytime sleepiness, dry mouth, and headaches. You may not know you have these symptoms until someone tells you.
Patients often come to us searching for obstructive sleep apnea treatment after noticing symptoms like headaches, dry mouth, or daytime tiredness. If you recognize these signs, talk to your healthcare provider, who may recommend a sleep study.
Treatment options include healthy lifestyle changes, a CPAP machine, oral devices, and in some cases surgery, and your provider can help you decide what is right for you.
An Alternative for Patients Who Can’t Use CPAP
A CPAP machine is the most common treatment for sleep apnea, but some people don’t want to use one or can’t tolerate it. In that case, a provider may prescribe an oral device, and you may be referred to a dentist to have one custom fit, as described by NHLBI. As a CPAP alternative Meridian option, we offer oral appliance therapy.
Custom oral appliances work by holding your lower jaw and tongue forward to help keep your airway open during sleep. They’re compact and easy to travel with. It can take time to get used to wearing one, so tell us if it doesn’t feel right.
If CPAP hasn’t worked for you, ask your provider whether an oral appliance could be an option.
Custom Oral Appliances Made for You
At SmileWorks Dental, we design custom sleep apnea oral appliances using advanced digital scanning and precise measurements to fit your jaw structure, bite alignment, and airway needs.
The appliance is worn during sleep and works by maintaining jaw and tongue position to help prevent a blocked airway. Results vary from person to person, and we coordinate with your physician or sleep specialist when appropriate.
An oral appliance is one part of managing sleep apnea, alongside the lifestyle changes your provider may recommend.
Solutions for Chronic Snoring
While not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, frequent loud snoring is a symptom of it and can disrupt both your sleep and your partner’s rest. As a stop snoring dentist, we can evaluate what may be contributing to your snoring and talk through your options.
If snoring is a concern, mention it to your healthcare provider, since it can be a sign of sleep apnea. If sleep apnea has been ruled out, we can discuss whether an oral appliance may help with snoring.
If snoring is affecting your sleep or your relationships, we’re happy to talk through your options.
Comprehensive Airway-Focused Care
At SmileWorks Dental, we take a medical-dental approach to sleep airway health. We begin with an airway assessment, digital scans, and a review of your medical history to see whether an oral appliance may be an option for you. Your diagnosis and its severity come from your physician or sleep specialist, usually through a sleep study.
Every step is explained clearly so you understand what to expect from treatment. We also coordinate with your physician or sleep specialist when appropriate.
To learn more about how sleep apnea is diagnosed and treated, talk with your healthcare provider.
Our Personalized Treatment Approach
We understand that cost and uncertainty are common barriers to seeking treatment. That’s why we offer transparent pricing, medical insurance assistance (coverage varies by plan), and financing through CareCredit and our SmilePlan membership.
You’ll work with the same dentist throughout your treatment, so you get consistent, personalized attention at every appointment.
If jaw pain, headaches, or bite discomfort are affecting your daily life, our TMJ Treatment Meridian page explains how we evaluate jaw concerns. Schedule your consultation today to talk through your options.
