What Is Sleep Apnea and Snoring Treatment?
Sleep apnea and snoring are more than just disturbances during the night; they can be signs of serious airway problems that impact your overall health, mood, and daily performance. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when soft tissues in the throat collapse during sleep, temporarily blocking airflow and causing repeated pauses in breathing. These interruptions can occur dozens of times each night, often leaving patients exhausted, even after what seems like a full night’s sleep. Snoring, which is caused by vibrations in partially blocked airways, may also indicate compromised airflow and can disrupt not only your rest but also your partner’s.
Left untreated, sleep apnea can contribute to high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and even cognitive decline. That’s why seeking treatment is so important for long-term health. At Altoona Smiles Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we offer custom-fitted oral appliances designed to reposition the jaw and tongue, keeping the airway clear and open throughout the night. These small, portable devices are a comfortable and non-invasive alternative to bulky CPAP machines for many patients. By improving airflow and reducing airway collapse, treatment helps restore restful sleep, alleviate symptoms like daytime fatigue or morning headaches, and protect your health.
Why Trust Altoona Smiles Family and Cosmetic Dentistry?
Addressing sleep apnea and snoring effectively requires precision, advanced training, and an understanding of the complex relationship between oral structures and breathing. At Altoona Smiles Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we take the time to thoroughly evaluate your symptoms, health history, and unique anatomy. Using modern diagnostic tools and digital scanning, we can design custom oral appliances that fit comfortably, work effectively, and are tailored to your lifestyle. These appliances are discreet, durable, and easy to wear, making them a convenient solution for long-term use.
What sets our care apart is the level of guidance and support we provide. From your initial consultation to follow-up adjustments, we make sure you feel informed, confident, and cared for every step of the way. We clearly explain how treatment works, what results to expect, and how to use and care for your appliance at home. If needed, we adjust or refine your device to maximize effectiveness and comfort. Our commitment extends beyond treating symptoms; we focus on improving your sleep quality, protecting your systemic health, and helping you regain energy and peace of mind. Patients trust us because we combine clinical skill, advanced technology, and compassionate care to deliver meaningful, lasting relief.
Benefits of Sleep Apnea and Snoring Treatment
- Restores Restful Sleep
By keeping the airway open throughout the night, custom-fitted oral appliances help reduce snoring and prevent interruptions caused by sleep apnea. Patients experience deeper, more restorative rest, leading to improved focus, energy, and mood during the day. - Protects Overall Health
Untreated sleep apnea has been linked to high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and increased risk of stroke. Treatment reduces these risks by restoring consistent oxygen flow, supporting both oral and whole-body health for years to come. - Comfortable and Non-Invasive
Unlike CPAP machines that can be bulky and difficult to tolerate, oral appliances are small, lightweight, and discreet. They fit comfortably in your mouth, are easy to travel with, and require no surgery, making them an ideal solution for many patients.
Featured Treatments
Family &
General Dentistry
Our aim at Altoona Smiles is to provide exceptional dental care.
Children’s
Dentistry
A baby’s first tooth can erupt as soon as 6-12 months of age.
Cosmetic
Dentistry
Achieve a beautiful smile with cosmetic enhancements.
Emergency
Dentistry
Altoona Smiles offers same-day appointments.
Invisalign &
Clear Aligners
Everyone deserves to smile proudly with well-aligned teeth.
Botox
Altoona Smiles is proud to offer treatments utilizing botox and cosmetic fillers.
Sleep Apnea Treatment Options and Efficacy
Apnea Reduction (Events/Hour Decrease) %
Patient Compliance/Adherence %
Mild OSA (5-15 Events/Hour) – CPAP
95
65
Mild OSA (5-15 Events/Hour) – Oral Appliance
88
85
Moderate OSA (15-30 Events/Hour) – CPAP
92
60
Moderate OSA (15-30 Events/Hour) – Oral Appliance
80
78
Severe OSA (30+ Events/Hour)
85
70
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
0%
50%
100%
Narrative: Shows that while CPAP is more effective at reducing apnea events (92-95%), patient compliance is significantly better with oral appliances (78-85% vs. 60-65%). For mild-to-moderate sleep apnea, oral appliances offer a great balance of efficacy and compliance. Severe sleep apnea may require CPAP or combination therapy despite lower compliance rates.
| Sleep Apnea Severity | AHI (Apnea-Hypopnea Index) | Primary Treatment | Alternative Treatment | Efficacy | Compliance | Success Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mild OSA | 5-15 events/hour | CPAP or Oral Appliance | Positional therapy, weight loss | 88-95% reduction | 65-85% (oral appliance higher) | 80-90% |
| Moderate OSA | 15-30 events/hour | CPAP (preferred) or Oral Appliance | Combination CPAP + oral appliance | 80-92% reduction (CPAP better) | 60-78% (oral appliance preferred) | 75-85% |
| Severe OSA | 30+ events/hour | CPAP (first-line) | Surgery, combination therapy; oral appliance insufficient alone | 85%+ (CPAP) or 70% (oral appliance) | 60-70% (CPAP challenging) | 70-80% |
American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) | American Sleep Apnea Association | National Institutes of Health (NIH) Sleep Research | Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine | Clinical studies on oral appliance therapy efficacy and patient outcomes
Key Findings About Sleep Apnea & Snoring Services
Sleep apnea affects approximately 25 million American adults and involves repeated breathing interruptions during sleep; the most common form, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), occurs when the airway collapses during sleep, blocking airflow and causing oxygen drops that trigger brief awakenings.
Symptoms of sleep apnea include loud snoring, gasping for air during sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, and difficulty concentrating; many patients are unaware they have sleep apnea until a bed partner reports breathing pauses or they seek evaluation for daytime fatigue.
Untreated sleep apnea significantly increases risk of heart attack, stroke, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and sudden cardiac death; the oxygen drops and sleep disruptions place substantial stress on the cardiovascular system, making sleep apnea treatment critical for overall health and longevity.
Oral appliance therapy, custom-fitted dental devices that hold the lower jaw forward during sleep to keep the airway open, is an effective treatment alternative to CPAP machines for mild-to-moderate sleep apnea; many patients prefer oral appliances because they are compact, portable, and quieter than CPAP machines.
Success of oral appliance therapy requires proper diagnosis (sleep study), accurate impression and custom fabrication of the appliance, appropriate jaw positioning determined by the sleep physician, and regular follow-up monitoring; treatment effectiveness varies by individual anatomy and severity of sleep apnea.
Patients with severe sleep apnea or those who don’t respond adequately to oral appliance therapy may require CPAP, surgery, or combination therapy; Dr. Eric coordinates with sleep physicians to determine whether oral appliance therapy is appropriate and to optimize treatment outcomes.
See Why Patients Trust Us Through Verified Reviews
“Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition that affects millions of Americans and often goes undiagnosed or untreated. While I’m not a sleep medicine specialist, I’m trained to recognize signs of sleep apnea and work with sleep physicians to provide an important treatment option: oral appliance therapy using custom-fitted dental devices. These appliances are comfortable, quiet, and often preferred by patients who can’t tolerate CPAP machines. If you snore heavily, wake gasping for air, or have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, we can help determine whether an oral appliance might be right for you and coordinate care with your sleep physician.”
Dr. Nicole Brummel
Co-Owner & General Dentist
Questions Patients Ask About Sleep Apnea & Snoring Services
How do I know if I have sleep apnea or just snore?
Snoring alone doesn’t mean you have sleep apnea, but loud snoring is often a sign. Key differences: snoring is just noise; sleep apnea involves actual breathing pauses. Signs of sleep apnea include gasping for air during sleep (observed by bed partner), extreme daytime sleepiness despite adequate sleep time, morning headaches, or waking unrefreshed. If you snore heavily or have these symptoms, the Altoona Smiles team recommends evaluation by a sleep physician, who can order a sleep study to confirm whether you have sleep apnea.
How do oral appliances work, and how are they different from CPAP?
Oral appliances are custom-fitted dental devices worn during sleep that gently hold your lower jaw forward, keeping your airway open. CPAP uses air pressure to keep the airway open. Oral appliances are smaller, quieter, portable, and many patients find them more comfortable than CPAP machines. However, CPAP is often more effective at reducing severe apnea events. The Altoona Smiles team works with your sleep physician to determine which treatment is best for your specific situation.
Will an oral appliance affect my teeth or bite?
Custom-fitted oral appliances are designed to minimize impact on teeth and bite. Minor changes in bite can occur with long-term nightly wear, but serious problems are rare when properly fitted and monitored. The Altoona Smiles team regularly checks your appliance fit and bite alignment to ensure your teeth and jaw remain healthy. If any changes occur, adjustments can be made to the appliance.
How do I get an oral appliance, and what’s the process?
First, you need a sleep study confirming sleep apnea diagnosis (ordered by your sleep physician). Then the Altoona Smiles team takes precise impressions of your teeth and jaw, which are sent to a lab for custom fabrication. Your sleep physician determines your target jaw position, which is programmed into the appliance. Once the appliance arrives, the Altoona Smiles team fits it, makes adjustments for comfort, and provides instructions. Follow-up sleep studies monitor treatment effectiveness, and adjustments are made as needed.
Does insurance cover oral appliance therapy?
Many insurance plans cover oral appliances for diagnosed sleep apnea, though coverage varies. Some plans require a CPAP trial first; others cover oral appliances as primary treatment. The Altoona Smiles team works with insurance to verify coverage and help maximize benefits. The cost is typically lower than CPAP machines ($500-3000 for a custom appliance). We also discuss payment options if insurance coverage is limited.