Sleep apnea is more than loud snoring. It is a sleep-related breathing problem that can affect your whole body. Many people do not know they have it, because it happens while they sleep. The good news is that there are effective treatments. At The Center for Aesthetic and Implant Dentistry, Dr. Taylor Ruby and Dr. Bryan Harris help patients who have sleep apnea by providing custom oral appliance therapy. This is a comfortable, proven option for many people, and it can be used as an alternative to CPAP or along with CPAP in some cases.
What is Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea happens when breathing stops or becomes very shallow during sleep. These pauses can last 10 seconds or longer and may happen many times each hour. The most common type is obstructive sleep apnea, which occurs when the airway collapses or gets blocked by relaxed throat tissues.
Snoring can be a sign, but not everyone who snores has sleep apnea. With sleep apnea, the brain senses low oxygen and briefly wakes the body to restart breathing. Many people do not remember these wake-ups, but their sleep becomes broken and less restful.
Common signs and symptoms include:
- Loud snoring, gasping, or choking sounds during sleep
- Daytime tiredness, morning headaches, dry mouth, or trouble focusing
A medical sleep study is needed to diagnose sleep apnea. If you have symptoms or concerns, a physician can help confirm what type you have and how severe it is.
How Sleep Apnea Affects Your Health
Sleep apnea can impact health in ways that go far beyond feeling tired. When oxygen levels drop and sleep is interrupted again and again, the body stays in a stress state. Over time, this can raise the risk for serious problems.
Untreated sleep apnea is linked with higher risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. It can also affect mood, memory, and focus. People with sleep apnea may feel irritable, anxious, or down. They may also have trouble performing at work or school.
Another concern is safety. Daytime drowsiness can make it easier to fall asleep while driving or during other tasks that need attention. Getting the right treatment can help you sleep more deeply and feel more like yourself again.
How a Dentist Can Help
Dentists play an important role in sleep apnea care because the mouth and jaw directly affect the airway. For many patients, a custom oral appliance can help keep the airway open during sleep.
At The Center for Aesthetic and Implant Dentistry, Dr. Taylor Ruby and Dr. Bryan Harris evaluate the teeth, gums, jaw position, and bite to see if oral appliance therapy is a good fit. This is especially helpful for patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, and for patients who cannot tolerate CPAP.
Dentists do not diagnose sleep apnea, but they can work as part of a care team. With a confirmed diagnosis from a sleep physician, your dentist can coordinate care and provide a custom device designed to support better breathing at night.
Oral Appliance Therapy
Oral appliance therapy uses a small, custom-made device worn in the mouth while you sleep. Many people describe it as similar in size and feel to an athletic mouthguard, but it is designed for breathing support, not sports.
Most oral appliances work by gently moving the lower jaw forward. This helps keep the tongue and soft tissues from falling back and blocking the airway. The appliance is custom-fit to your teeth and is often adjustable, so it can be fine-tuned for comfort and results.
Oral appliances can be a great option for patients who:
- Want an alternative to CPAP, or cannot sleep well with a CPAP mask
- Travel often and prefer a smaller, easier-to-pack treatment
CPAP is still considered a top treatment for many people, especially for severe sleep apnea. But oral appliance therapy can be a strong alternative for the right patient. In some cases, it may also be used along with CPAP, such as when a patient uses CPAP at home but wants an easier option for travel. Your sleep physician and dentist can help guide the best plan.
What to Expect
Getting started is usually simple and comfortable. Your first visit includes a detailed conversation about symptoms, sleep quality, and health history. If you already have a sleep study, the team will review those results. If you do not, you may be referred to a sleep physician for testing.
Next, the dental team checks your teeth and gums to make sure an appliance can be worn safely. Digital scans or impressions are taken to create your custom device. When your oral appliance is ready, you return for a fitting. The fit should feel secure, comfortable, and easy to wear.
Follow-up visits are important. Small adjustments can make a big difference. Your dentist will help fine-tune the jaw position to improve airflow while keeping your bite comfortable. Over time, you will also have checkups to monitor tooth wear, jaw comfort, and appliance condition.
Like any medical treatment, oral appliance therapy can have side effects in some patients, such as jaw soreness, tooth tenderness, dry mouth, or changes in bite. Regular follow-ups help catch and manage issues early.
Request an Appointment for Sleep Apnea Help
If you think sleep apnea may be affecting your health, you do not have to manage it alone. The Center for Aesthetic and Implant Dentistry offers custom oral appliance therapy designed to support better breathing and better sleep.
Request an appointment to meet with Dr. Taylor Ruby or Dr. Bryan Harris and learn whether a custom oral appliance may be right for you. We will walk you through the process, answer your questions, and coordinate with your sleep physician so you feel confident in your care plan. Call (502)-516-3896 or use our online form to get started.