At Mesa Dental Group, we take time to listen to your concerns, explain your options clearly, and coordinate with sleep physicians when needed. Our goal is to help you find a practical treatment plan that supports better breathing and more restful sleep.
How Dentists Help With Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which the airway repeatedly narrows or closes during sleep, interrupting normal breathing. These interruptions can lead to fragmented sleep and reduced oxygen levels.
Dentists can play an important role in screening for signs associated with sleep apnea and providing oral appliance therapy when appropriate. At Mesa Dental Group, we review your medical history, perform a thorough oral exam, and use digital technology to evaluate your teeth, bite, and oral anatomy.
Our technology includes the Trios digital scanner, intraoral cameras, and digital X-rays when needed. If an oral appliance is appropriate for your treatment plan, we can create a custom device designed for comfort and function. When medical evaluation or management is needed, we coordinate care with your sleep physician.
Sleep Apnea Care at Mesa Dental Group
Dr. Cherishma Jami, Dr. Craig Deagle, and Dr. Cameron Hamidi provide patient-focused dental care in San Diego. We prioritize clear communication and take the time to explain what we see, your options, and what to expect during treatment.
Our office uses digital technology, including Trios scanning, digital X-rays, and laser dentistry, to support efficient and precise care. We also offer amenities such as blankets, free Wi-Fi, water, and coffee to help make visits more comfortable.
Most importantly, we focus on creating a treatment plan that fits your needs and daily routine.
What To Expect During Your Sleep Apnea Evaluation
Your visit begins with a conversation about your symptoms, sleep patterns, and medical history. We then perform an oral exam to evaluate your teeth, jaw, bite, and other factors that may affect oral appliance therapy.
Your evaluation may include:
- A review of your sleep-related symptoms and medical history
- An oral exam
- Digital scans or X-rays to document your anatomy
- A discussion of whether oral appliance therapy may be appropriate
- Coordination with your sleep physician when needed
If a custom oral appliance is recommended, we take digital impressions and design the device to fit your bite. Follow-up appointments allow us to check the fit and make adjustments as needed.
Oral Appliance Therapy for Sleep Apnea
Oral appliance therapy may be an option for some people with obstructive sleep apnea, including patients who have difficulty tolerating CPAP.
A custom sleep apnea appliance is worn while you sleep and is designed to position the jaw to help keep the airway open. These devices are compact, portable, and customized to fit your mouth.
Candidates may include:
- People with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea
- Patients who have difficulty using CPAP
- People looking for a portable treatment option while traveling
Whether an oral appliance is right for you depends on your individual diagnosis, anatomy, and treatment needs. Mesa Dental Group works with sleep physicians to help ensure your care is appropriately coordinated.
What If an Oral Appliance Is Not the Right Option?
Oral appliance therapy is not appropriate for every patient. If another form of treatment would be more suitable, we can coordinate with your sleep physician to help you explore other options.
Depending on your needs, treatment may involve CPAP, positional therapy, or other medical approaches. We explain the role of oral appliance therapy clearly so you can understand how it fits into your overall sleep apnea care.
Follow-Up Care and Monitoring
Ongoing follow-up is an important part of oral appliance therapy. After you begin wearing your appliance, we schedule visits to evaluate comfort, fit, bite changes, and overall progress.
Follow-up care may include:
- Checking for jaw soreness or discomfort
- Monitoring tooth movement or changes in your bite
- Adjusting the appliance to improve fit and airway support
- Reviewing changes in your symptoms
- Coordinating with your sleep physician and reviewing sleep study results when available
These visits help us monitor your oral health and ensure the appliance continues to function as intended.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sleep Apnea Treatment
Can a dentist treat sleep apnea?
Dentists can screen for signs associated with sleep apnea and provide oral appliance therapy when appropriate. Diagnosis and medical management are typically coordinated with a sleep physician.
Who may be a candidate for a sleep apnea oral appliance?
Oral appliances may be appropriate for some people with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea and for certain patients who cannot comfortably tolerate CPAP. Your dentist and sleep physician can help determine whether this type of treatment is right for you.
Can an oral appliance replace CPAP?
For some patients, an oral appliance may be an alternative to CPAP. The appropriate treatment depends on the severity of your sleep apnea, your anatomy, and your physician's recommendations.
Does a sleep apnea appliance feel bulky?
A custom appliance is designed to fit your mouth and bite. Many patients need an adjustment period, and follow-up appointments allow us to improve the fit and comfort if needed.
How quickly will I notice results?
Every patient responds differently. Some people notice changes in snoring, sleep quality, or daytime alertness after beginning treatment, while others may need additional adjustments and monitoring.
Does Mesa Dental Group accept insurance?
We accept all PPO plans and can help with claims and paperwork.
Does oral appliance therapy hurt?
The appliance should be adjusted for a comfortable fit. Some patients may experience temporary jaw soreness or changes in bite, which is why regular follow-up is important.
Schedule a Sleep Apnea Evaluation in San Diego
If snoring, poor sleep, or daytime fatigue is affecting your quality of life, Mesa Dental Group can help you explore whether oral appliance therapy may be appropriate.
Our San Diego dental team provides careful evaluations, custom oral appliances when indicated, and ongoing coordination with sleep physicians. Call Mesa Dental Group today to schedule your sleep apnea evaluation.
For additional sleep apnea information and resources, Mesa Dental Group also refers patients to Sleep Apnea Centers of San Diego, and may coordinate care with Dr. Shasho.
