Sleep & Snoring Dentistry
Oral appliance therapy for sleep apnea and snoring.
When oral appliance therapy is the right tool
For mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea and for patients who cannot tolerate CPAP, a custom oral appliance is an effective, well-tolerated alternative. The appliance repositions the lower jaw forward during sleep, opening the airway.
Working with your sleep physician
A sleep study and formal diagnosis from a physician are prerequisites for oral appliance therapy. We coordinate directly with your sleep physician and share titration data so treatment is genuinely collaborative, not duplicative.
The appliance itself
We use Herbst and TAP appliances. Both are FDA-cleared, custom-fabricated, and adjustable. Titration (finding the right forward position) takes 2 to 4 weeks and is based on your symptoms and a follow-up sleep study.
Long-term maintenance
Oral appliances last 3 to 5 years. We check the appliance and your response to it every 6 months. Your sleep physician rechecks with a sleep study every 12 to 24 months.
The details other practices skip.
- 1.Coordinated directly with your sleep physician, not standalone dental work
- 2.Titration package included in the fee
- 3.Medical insurance submission for most cases
What the full timeline looks like.
Consultation
60 minutes. Review sleep study, clinical exam, and treatment planning.
Fitting
45 minutes. Impressions and bite registration for custom fabrication.
Delivery and titration
45 minutes. Appliance fitted, wear protocol reviewed, first titration set.
Titration and long-term
Every 2 to 4 weeks during titration; every 6 months thereafter.
What your fee actually includes.
Herbst and TAP appliances
FDA-cleared, adjustable, custom-fabricated devices.
Home sleep testing coordination
We coordinate post-therapy sleep testing with your physician.
How it plays out in practice.
Situation · Moderate OSA, intolerant of CPAP after 18 months of trying.
Outcome · Herbst appliance with 4-week titration. Follow-up sleep study showed AHI improvement from 22 to 6. Continues on therapy.
Do I need a sleep study first?
Yes. A formal sleep study and physician diagnosis are required before any oral appliance is delivered. We can refer you to sleep physicians we work with regularly if you do not have one.
Will insurance cover this?
Most medical insurance plans cover oral appliance therapy as durable medical equipment when OSA is diagnosed. We submit to medical insurance on your behalf, not just dental.
Talk to us about sleep & snoring dentistry.
Complimentary consultation. One hour with a clinical director, imaging, and a written treatment plan.