Sleep Apnea & Snoring

• During sleep the muscles of the throat and tongue relax. In obstructive sleep apnea the soft tissue falls back far enough to block airflow, the oxygen level drops, and the brain briefly wakes the body to restart breathing — sometimes dozens of times an hour, usually without the person remembering.
• Loud snoring, pauses in breathing that a partner notices, gasping, morning headaches, a dry mouth, waking unrefreshed and heavy daytime sleepiness are the typical signs. In the mouth, worn teeth from grinding, a scalloped tongue and a crowded throat can point the same way.
• Snoring on its own is not always apnea, and apnea does not always involve snoring. Only a sleep study — at home or in a lab — measures what actually happens, and only a physician can diagnose it.
• Treatment decisions belong with the treating sleep clinician. Oral appliances may be options for selected adults; myofunctional exercise evidence is limited and exercises are not an automatic replacement for prescribed treatment.

• A screening conversation and questionnaire about sleep, snoring, daytime tiredness and health history, alongside an examination of the teeth, jaw, tongue and throat.
• If anything suggests sleep-disordered breathing, we refer you to a sleep physician for testing rather than guessing at a diagnosis.
• If you already have a diagnosis, we review the sleep report — the severity matters, because it determines which dental options are reasonable.
• The teeth, gums and jaw joints are checked to make sure they can support an appliance before one is suggested.

1. 01Assessment by an appropriate dental or medical clinician.
2. 02Referral for a home or lab sleep study and a physician's diagnosis, if you don't have one.
3. 03A shared decision on treatment: CPAP, a mandibular advancement device, myofunctional therapy, or a combination.
4. 04Follow-up testing to confirm the treatment is working, with records shared with your physician.

• Mandibular advancement device (MAD)

  A custom oral appliance that holds the lower jaw forward during sleep; assessment and follow-up determine suitability and effectiveness.

• Myofunctional therapy, coaching & training

  Guided exercises and habit training for selected oral movement and resting patterns; evidence for sleep outcomes is limited.

• CPAP through your sleep physician

  The standard first-line treatment for moderate to severe apnea; a dental option can help if CPAP is not tolerated.

• A dentist cannot diagnose sleep apnea — that requires a sleep study and a physician.
• Dental treatment is generally best suited to snoring and mild to moderate apnea, or to people who cannot use CPAP.
• Results are confirmed by follow-up testing, not by how you feel alone.

These factors explain the scope of care, not a Whole Tooth price quote. Assessment fees are separate from later treatment estimates. Whole Tooth’s fees and disclosure policy require confirmation; ask about applicable assessment charges before arranging a visit.

• Scope of the assessment and medical diagnostic evaluation.
• Testing and any subsequent treatment are separate steps with their own estimates.

• Mandibular Advancement Devices

  A custom oral appliance that holds the lower jaw forward during sleep. Learn who may benefit, what treatment involves and why follow-up matters.

  Read the guide

• Myofunctional Therapy

  Guided exercises and habit training for selected oral movement and resting patterns. Assessment determines whether therapy is appropriate.

  Read the guide

• Airway & Sleep Screening

  Review oral findings and sleep symptoms that may warrant medical sleep testing, without treating a dental screening as a diagnosis.

  Read the guide

• Night Guards

  Protect teeth from nighttime grinding with a custom-fitted guard, supported by bite adjustments and ongoing checks for wear.

  Read the guide