The structures that cause obstructive sleep apnea — the jaw, tongue, palate, and pharyngeal soft tissues — are oral structures that dentists evaluate and can treat. A small or retruded jaw reduces airway space. A narrow palate restricts nasal breathing. Dental sleep medicine addresses these anatomical contributors through oral appliances, orthodontic expansion, and surgical coordination.

Dentists with training in dental sleep medicine provide oral appliance therapy for sleep apnea under the direction of a sleep medicine physician diagnosis. The dentist fabricates, fits, and titrates the oral appliance. The sleep physician makes the diagnosis and monitors treatment efficacy through follow-up sleep studies. This collaborative model is the standard of care.

A mandibular advancement device (MAD) is a custom-fabricated dental appliance worn during sleep that holds the lower jaw in a forward position. This advancement moves the tongue base forward, tensions the pharyngeal walls, and increases the diameter of the airway. The result is reduced or eliminated airway collapse during sleep, documented by improvement in the apnea-hypopnea index on follow-up sleep testing.

We perform a CBCT airway analysis to measure your airway dimensions and identify obstruction sites. We coordinate a home sleep study or in-lab polysomnography with a board-certified sleep physician for definitive diagnosis. Once the AHI (apnea-hypopnea index) score confirms sleep apnea severity, we determine whether an oral appliance or CPAP is the best treatment.

Common symptoms include loud snoring, witnessed breathing pauses during sleep, gasping or choking during sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and nocturia (frequent nighttime urination). Diagnosis requires a sleep study — either in-lab polysomnography or a home sleep test — ordered by a physician. ADSC can coordinate referral for diagnostic testing.

ADSC performs clinical airway assessment, CBCT volumetric airway analysis, and screening questionnaires (STOP-BANG, Epworth Sleepiness Scale). Definitive diagnosis requires a sleep study interpreted by a board-certified sleep medicine physician. ADSC coordinates referrals for diagnostic testing and works collaboratively with the diagnosing physician to implement and monitor oral appliance therapy.

CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) produces a three-dimensional image of the airway from the nasal cavity through the oropharynx. Software measures the airway volume, minimum cross-sectional area, and the specific location of maximum constriction. This data identifies which anatomical factors — retruded jaw, large tongue base, lateral pharyngeal wall collapse — contribute to the individual patient's airway obstruction.

Yes. Pediatric sleep apnea affects 1 to 5 percent of children, most commonly caused by enlarged tonsils and adenoids, but also by craniofacial factors including narrow palatal arches and retrognathic mandibles. Symptoms in children differ from adults: hyperactivity, behavioral problems, bedwetting, mouth breathing, and poor school performance are common presentations. ADSC evaluates pediatric airway as part of every child's dental assessment.

Medical insurance (not dental insurance) typically covers oral appliances for diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea. Coverage requires a documented sleep study diagnosis and, in many cases, documentation that CPAP was tried and not tolerated. The administrative team at ADSC handles medical insurance pre-authorization and works to maximize coverage.

Custom mandibular advancement devices typically range from $1,500 to $3,000 depending on the appliance design selected. Medical insurance coverage, when applicable, reduces out-of-pocket cost significantly. The practice provides detailed cost estimates based on your specific insurance coverage before treatment begins.

Untreated moderate to severe OSA significantly increases the risk of hypertension, heart attack, stroke, cardiac arrhythmia, type 2 diabetes, and motor vehicle accidents from daytime sleepiness. The repeated oxygen desaturation events during sleep create chronic cardiovascular and metabolic stress. Treatment — whether CPAP, oral appliance, or surgery — substantially reduces these risks.

Loud, habitual snoring is the most common symptom of obstructive sleep apnea and warrants evaluation — especially if accompanied by witnessed apneas, daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, or hypertension. Not all snoring indicates apnea, but the distinction requires either a home sleep test or polysomnography. ADSC can screen you and coordinate diagnostic testing if indicated.

Snoring is the vibration of relaxed pharyngeal soft tissues during breathing — it may occur without airway obstruction. Sleep apnea involves actual airway closure (apnea) or significant narrowing (hypopnea) that causes oxygen desaturation and sleep fragmentation. Snoring can be a standalone condition or a symptom of underlying apnea. A sleep study distinguishes between benign snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.

Weight loss can significantly improve mild to moderate OSA by reducing fat deposition in the parapharyngeal space and at the tongue base. However, many patients with OSA have structural anatomical factors — retrognathic jaw, narrow palate, large tonsils — that persist regardless of weight. Weight management is an important component of treatment but is rarely sufficient as the sole intervention.

Schedule a consultation. The visit includes clinical airway assessment, CBCT imaging, and screening questionnaire review. If a sleep study has not yet been performed, ADSC coordinates referral for diagnostic testing. If you already have a sleep apnea diagnosis, bring your sleep study results to the consultation and the team can begin treatment planning for oral appliance therapy immediately.