How do I know if I have sleep apnea?

Only a sleep study can confirm it, and that is read by a sleep physician rather than a dentist. Loud snoring, waking up tired, morning headaches, and a partner noticing you gasp at night are the usual reasons people get tested.

Do I need a sleep study before you can help?

For sleep apnea, yes. Treatment should follow a diagnosis. If you already have sleep study results, bring them. If you have never been tested, come in anyway and we will look at your airway and help you arrange an evaluation.

How is this different from a night guard?

They look similar but do opposite jobs. A night guard cushions teeth against grinding and does nothing for breathing. A sleep apnea appliance repositions the lower jaw to open the airway. Wearing the wrong one will not help your sleep.

Can an oral appliance replace my CPAP?

Sometimes, but not always. Oral appliances are best supported for snoring and mild to moderate sleep apnea. CPAP remains the standard for severe cases. Any change to prescribed CPAP therapy should be made with your sleep physician, not on your own.

Is it uncomfortable to sleep in?

Most patients adjust within a week or two. Mild jaw tension or extra saliva early on is normal and usually settles. If you also deal with jaw clicking or locking, TMJ therapy may need looking at first. And if you grind your teeth as well as snore, a separate night guard may be part of the plan.

How do I clean and store the appliance?

Rinse it after every use and let it dry fully before storing it in its case. We go over the specifics for your device when we fit it.

How long does an oral appliance last?

Several years with good care, though it depends on how heavily you grind and how your bite changes over time. We check its condition at your regular visits.

Does insurance cover an oral appliance?

Coverage varies, and sleep apnea appliances are sometimes billed through medical rather than dental insurance. Dentiq Dentistry works with most major PPO plans and can verify your benefits before treatment begins.

Patient sleeping restfully after sleep apnea treatment at Dentiq Dentistry in Houston, TX

Sleep Apnea & Snoring

Sleep Apnea Treatment
in Houston, TX

Do you wake up exhausted even after a full night's sleep? If loud snoring, restless nights, or constant daytime fatigue sound familiar, a custom oral appliance may help.

BOOK YOUR CONSULTATION

(713) 526-2904

Snoring & Sleep Apnea Treatment

If You're Not Sleeping Well, Your Body Isn't Resting

Millions of people live with sleep apnea without realizing it. The airway narrows or closes repeatedly through the night, breathing pauses, and the body never reaches the deep sleep it needs. Most patients notice the fatigue long before anyone connects it to their breathing.

At Dentiq Dentistry we make custom oral appliances that hold the lower jaw slightly forward to keep the airway open while you sleep, reducing snoring and improving airflow. A sleep apnea diagnosis comes from a sleep physician, and we work alongside yours or help you get evaluated if you have not been tested yet.

Call (713) 526-2904

Custom oral appliance used to treat snoring and sleep apnea in Houston, TX

Treatment Process

A process built around breathing easier at night

From first conversation to a device that fits comfortably. Here is what to expect.

Digital scan being taken to build a custom sleep apnea oral appliance at Dentiq Dentistry

Step

Consultation

We review your symptoms and sleep concerns, examine your airway and bite, and go over any sleep study results you already have. If you have not been evaluated, we help you take that step.

Step

Digital Scanning

We take digital scans of your teeth instead of messy impression trays, capturing the detail needed for an appliance that fits precisely.

Step

Your Appliance Is Made

Your appliance is built to your measurements and set to the jaw position that opens your airway while staying comfortable enough to wear all night.

Step

Fitting and Follow-Up

We fit the appliance in person, then keep monitoring your progress and adjusting it so it stays comfortable and keeps working as intended.

Signs You May Have Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea often goes undiagnosed for years

Loud or Frequent Snoring

Often the first thing a partner notices, and the most common reason patients come in.

Waking Up Tired

Seven or eight hours in bed but you still wake up feeling like you barely slept.

Morning Headaches

Headaches on waking can follow a night of interrupted breathing and lower oxygen levels.

Gasping or Choking at Night

Waking suddenly short of breath is a sign the airway is closing during sleep.

Daytime Fatigue

Nodding off at your desk, in traffic, or in front of the TV when you should feel alert.

Trouble Concentrating

Memory slips and difficulty focusing often trace back to sleep that never gets deep enough.

Dry Mouth on Waking

A dry or sore mouth in the morning usually means you spent the night breathing through it.

Irritability or Mood Changes

Short temper and low mood are common when the body goes months without real rest.

How It Compares

Oral Appliance vs. CPAP vs. Over-the-Counter

Each option suits a different situation. Here is an honest look at how they line up.

Feature

Oral Appliance

CPAP Machine

Store-Bought

How it works

Holds the lower jaw forward to keep the airway open

Pushes pressurized air through a mask to hold the airway open

Aims to reduce snoring noise, does not treat apnea

Fit

Custom-made from digital scans of your teeth

Mask sizes vary, straps need adjusting

Boil-and-bite, generic shape

Wearing it nightly

Small and silent, nothing to plug in

Machine noise and mask pressure take adjusting to

Bulky, often works loose overnight

Best suited to

Fits in a pocket, no power needed

Requires the unit, power, and supplies

Easy to pack

Travel

Snoring and mild to moderate sleep apnea

Moderate to severe sleep apnea, still the clinical standard

Light snoring with no diagnosed apnea

Untreated Sleep Apnea Affects More Than Your Sleep

Sleep apnea does more than interrupt your night. Over time, research has linked untreated sleep apnea to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, problems with memory and concentration, and a higher risk of fatigue-related accidents behind the wheel.

The encouraging part is that effective treatment exists, and for many patients a simple oral appliance is enough. We will look at your airway and bite, review any sleep study you have had, and tell you honestly whether an appliance is likely to help or whether you would be better served by a CPAP or a referral to a sleep physician.

The Dentiq Dentistry Houston team, who provide oral appliance therapy for sleep apnea

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about sleep apnea and oral appliance therapy.

Social Reviews

What Our Patients Say

Our patients are the best measure of the care we provide. Read what they have to say about their visits, their results, and the team behind every smile.

Patient smiling after treatment at Dentiq Dentistry in Houston, TX

Your confident smile is our guide

Ready to schedule your visit?

If snoring or sleep apnea is affecting your sleep, you do not have to live with it. Book a consultation at Dentiq Dentistry and we will talk through whether an oral appliance fits your situation.

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Call (713) 526-2904

Dentiq Dentistry office exterior at night in Houston, TX

At Dentiq Dentistry Houston, we provide a full spectrum of care under one roof, from routine cleanings and fillings to dental implants, All-On-X full-arch restoration, veneers, Invisalign, and same-day crowns. With advanced technology and an in-house lab, we keep treatment precise, comfortable, and refreshingly convenient.

Sleep Apnea Treatment in Houston, TX

If You're Not Sleeping Well, Your Body Isn't Resting

A process built around breathing easier at night

Sleep apnea often goes undiagnosed for years

Oral Appliance vs. CPAP vs. Over-the-Counter

Untreated Sleep Apnea Affects More Than Your Sleep

Frequently Asked Questions

What Our Patients Say

Ready to schedule your visit?

Comprehensive Dental Care In The Heart Of Houston, TX

Sleep Apnea Treatment
in Houston, TX