Sleep Apnea & Oral Appliances
A custom-fitted oral appliance for snoring and mild-to-moderate sleep apnea, quieter and easier to travel with than CPAP, at our Fremont, Cupertino, and Milpitas offices.
Sleep Apnea Overview
Obstructive sleep apnea happens when the soft tissue at the back of the throat collapses during sleep and blocks the airway, sometimes hundreds of times a night. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine estimates that about 26 percent of adults between 30 and 70 have it, and a large share are undiagnosed. Left untreated, it is linked to high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, daytime fatigue, and a higher accident risk.
For snoring and mild-to-moderate cases, a custom-fitted oral appliance worn at night can work remarkably well. It is quiet, portable, and far easier to travel with than a CPAP machine. The FDA-cleared appliances we fit gently advance the lower jaw, which keeps the airway open while you sleep, for patients across Fremont, Cupertino, Milpitas, San Jose, and the wider Silicon Valley.
Signs & Symptoms
Sleep apnea often goes unnoticed because the person having the episodes is asleep through them; a bed partner usually spots it first. A documented sleep study, in a lab or at home, is required before we can fit an appliance, and we coordinate with sleep medicine doctors around the Bay Area for that.
- Loud, chronic snoring.
- Witnessed pauses in breathing during sleep.
- Gasping or choking awakenings.
- Excessive daytime sleepiness even after a full night in bed.
- Morning headaches or a dry mouth and sore throat on waking.
- Difficulty concentrating and restless, unrefreshing sleep.
How It Works
The most common device is a mandibular advancement appliance. It looks similar to a sports mouthguard, but it has two pieces, one for the upper teeth and one for the lower, connected by a small adjustable mechanism that holds the lower jaw slightly forward. That small shift opens the airway behind the tongue, which is usually where the blockage happens, reducing snoring and apnea episodes without the noise or equipment of a CPAP. The AASM also recognizes oral appliance therapy as an option for moderate to severe cases when CPAP cannot be tolerated.
Appliance vs. CPAP
Both treatments work, but they suit different patients. CPAP remains the standard for severe sleep apnea, and nothing else moves as much air as reliably. For mild-to-moderate cases, an oral appliance is often the better fit in practice, mainly because patients keep using it: it is small, silent, needs no power source, and slips into a jacket pocket for travel, where CPAP means a mask, a hose, a motor, and a carry-on with a power adapter.
The trade-offs run the other way too. An appliance can cause mild jaw soreness at first and, over years, some gradual tooth movement that we watch for at your cleanings. CPAP's downsides tend to be dryness, mask marks, and a sense of claustrophobia that some people never quite get past. We will tell you plainly which option your case calls for, and sometimes the honest answer is both, at different times.
Treatment Process
An appliance cannot be made without a documented sleep apnea diagnosis, so your physician or a sleep specialist orders the sleep study first. Once you have results, you bring them to a consultation where we examine your bite, jaw movement, and oral health to confirm an appliance is appropriate, then take a digital scan of your teeth rather than a traditional impression. The appliance is custom-made to your bite in a lab, usually a two to three week turnaround, and you wear it home the night it is fitted after we make small adjustments for comfort and jaw position. Over the following weeks we fine-tune the advancement based on how you feel, often alongside a follow-up sleep study to confirm it is working, and we check the appliance at your regular cleanings after that for wear, fit, and any change in your bite.
Sleep apnea appliances, answered
Do I need a diagnosis before getting an appliance?
Yes. We cannot fit an oral appliance for sleep apnea without a documented diagnosis from a physician or sleep specialist, usually based on a sleep study. If you suspect sleep apnea but have not been evaluated, we can point you to trusted sleep medicine practices in the area.
Is it comfortable to wear?
Most people adjust within a week or two. Mild jaw soreness or extra salivation is common at first and usually fades. Most patients report sleeping better, not worse, once they are past that adjustment period.
Will it stop my snoring?
For most people with snoring or mild-to-moderate sleep apnea, yes, it significantly reduces or eliminates snoring. A bed partner is often the first to notice the change.
Can I use an appliance if my sleep apnea is severe?
CPAP is the first-choice treatment for severe cases. If you cannot tolerate CPAP, an oral appliance is a recognized alternative, and we discuss this with your sleep physician before moving forward.
How long does an appliance last?
A well cared for custom appliance typically lasts several years before it needs replacing. We check it at your regular cleanings and recommend replacement once wear becomes noticeable.
Is it covered by insurance?
Oral appliances for sleep apnea are often billed to medical insurance rather than dental, since they treat a medical condition. We help you understand your coverage and submit claims correctly before treatment begins.