If snoring or restless nights are wearing you down, you are not alone — and you may have more options than you think. At Greene Dental Associates in Fairborn, Ohio, Dr. Percy Torkornoo offers custom oral appliance therapy for snoring and mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea: a small, comfortable device worn at night, with no mask, no hoses, and no machine noise.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type of sleep apnea. During sleep, the muscles in the back of the throat relax and the airway narrows or closes. Breathing pauses for a few seconds at a time — sometimes many times per hour — until the brain briefly rouses you to start breathing again. Most people do not remember these interruptions, but they can keep you from reaching deep, restorative sleep and leave you feeling unrefreshed in the morning.
Sleep apnea is a medical condition, and treatment starts with a proper diagnosis. A physician — usually with the help of an overnight sleep study — must evaluate your symptoms and confirm whether an oral appliance is appropriate for you.
Signs You May Have Sleep Apnea
Because the breathing interruptions happen while you are asleep, many people first hear about them from a partner. Common signs include:
- Loud, persistent snoring
- Pauses in breathing noticed by a partner
- Gasping or choking during the night
- Morning headaches
- Dry mouth or sore throat when you wake up
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Trouble concentrating
- Irritability
Why Treating Sleep Apnea Matters
When breathing is interrupted again and again through the night, the body never quite settles into deep rest. Over time, untreated sleep apnea is associated with poor sleep quality, daytime fatigue, and added strain on the heart and blood pressure. Addressing it may help you wake feeling more rested and get more out of your days — which is why a proper diagnosis and a treatment plan tailored to you matter.
How an Oral Sleep Appliance Treats Sleep Apnea
An oral sleep appliance is a small, custom-made device you wear over your teeth while you sleep — similar in feel to a sports mouthguard or orthodontic retainer. It gently holds your lower jaw slightly forward, which helps keep the airway open through the night. By keeping the airway open, the appliance may reduce snoring and lessen the breathing interruptions of mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea.
Each appliance is made just for you from impressions or digital scans of your teeth, and we work with well-established dental laboratories for fabrication. Because it is custom-fit, most patients find it comfortable to wear — and because there is no mask, no hoses, and no machine, it is quiet, portable, and easy to take along when you travel.
To learn more about the device itself, visit our Oral Sleep Appliances page.
A Comfortable Alternative to CPAP
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) works well for many people, but some patients simply cannot tolerate sleeping with a mask and machine. If CPAP has not worked for you, an oral sleep appliance may offer a simpler path: nothing over your nose or face, nothing to plug in, and nothing humming beside the bed. Many patients report that the appliance is easy to get used to — and a treatment you actually wear every night is the one most likely to help.
What to Expect
Here is how oral appliance therapy typically works at our Fairborn office:
- Consultation — We talk through your symptoms, your sleep history, and whether an oral appliance might be right for you.
- Physician diagnosis — Because sleep apnea is a medical condition, a physician must evaluate you first — usually with an overnight sleep study — to confirm the diagnosis and whether an oral appliance is appropriate.
- Impressions or digital scans — We take precise impressions or digital scans of your teeth so the appliance fits you exactly.
- Laboratory fabrication — Your scans are sent to a well-established dental laboratory, where your custom appliance is crafted.
- Fitting appointment — You try in your new appliance, and we adjust it for comfort and fit.
- Follow-up and adjustments — We see you for progress checks and fine-tune the appliance as needed to keep you comfortable.
Caring for Your Appliance
A little daily care goes a long way. Each morning, rinse your appliance and brush it gently with a soft toothbrush and mild soap or a cleaner made for oral appliances — avoid hot water, which can warp the fit. Store it in its protective case when you are not wearing it, and bring it to your regular dental checkups so we can check its condition and fit. With good care and routine checkups, your appliance can serve you well for years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a sleep study first?
Yes. Sleep apnea is a medical condition, so treatment starts with a proper diagnosis. A physician — usually with an overnight sleep study — needs to evaluate your symptoms and confirm whether an oral appliance is appropriate for you before we make one.
Will an oral appliance help with snoring?
Many patients report that their snoring lessens a great deal once they start wearing their appliance, because keeping the airway open may reduce the vibration that causes snoring sounds. Results vary from person to person, and a follow-up with your physician can confirm how well the appliance is working for you.
How long does an oral sleep appliance last?
With daily cleaning, proper storage, and regular dental checkups, a custom appliance often lasts several years. Normal wear, changes in your bite, or grinding can shorten its life, so bring it to your checkups and let us know if the fit ever feels different.
Is oral appliance therapy covered by insurance?
Coverage varies from plan to plan. Oral appliance therapy for sleep apnea is often billed under medical insurance rather than dental insurance. Our office can help you check your benefits and understand your options — though we cannot guarantee coverage.
Ready to Sleep Better?
If snoring or restless sleep is affecting you or your partner, talk to us about custom oral appliance therapy. Call (937) 426-2400 or book an appointment online — we will help you take the first step toward quieter, more restful nights.