Sleep Apnea & Snoring Treatment
Snoring might feel like “just an annoyance”… but in many cases, it’s your body’s warning sign that your airway is struggling to stay open at night.
At O2 Dental Group, we help patients across North Carolina get real answers—and real relief—from snoring and sleep-disordered breathing using comfortable, custom oral appliances designed to keep your airway open while you sleep.
What patients are looking for:
- Better sleep and more consistent energy
- Less snoring (and better sleep for your partner)
- Improved focus, mood, and daytime performance
- A comfortable alternative to CPAP for many patients
- Treatment that may be partially covered by medical insurance
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) happens when your airway becomes blocked during sleep. This can cause breathing to slow down—or stop completely—for short periods throughout the night. Many people don’t realize it’s happening. Instead, they simply feel exhausted, foggy, or “off” every day.
Common signs and symptoms include:
- Loud, frequent snoring
- Waking up tired even after a full night’s sleep
- Morning headaches or dry mouth
- Gasping, choking, or pauses in breathing during sleep
- Daytime sleepiness, low energy, or brain fog
- Irritability, anxiety, or mood changes
Snoring vs. Sleep Apnea: What’s the Difference?
Snoring is often caused by vibration in the throat tissues when airflow is partially blocked. Sometimes it’s harmless. But sometimes, it’s one of the clearest signs of sleep apnea.
If your snoring is loud, frequent, and paired with daytime fatigue—or someone has noticed you stop breathing at night—it’s worth taking seriously.
Why Treating Sleep Apnea Matters
Sleep apnea is bigger than sleep. When your body repeatedly struggles for oxygen at night, it can affect your long-term health and quality of life.
Untreated sleep apnea has been linked to:
- High blood pressure
- Increased risk of stroke
- Heart disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
- Chronic headaches
- Poor focus, memory issues, and mood changes
Oral Appliance Therapy
Many people assume their only treatment option is a CPAP machine. CPAP can be effective, but it’s not always easy to tolerate. For many patients, a custom oral appliance offers a simpler, more comfortable solution.
A sleep apnea oral appliance fits like a mouthguard and gently positions your jaw to help keep your airway open while you sleep.
Oral appliances are often appreciated because they are:
- Comfortable and custom-fit
- Quiet and easy to use
- Compact and travel-friendly
- A strong option for mild to moderate OSA
- A helpful alternative for patients who struggle with CPAP
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Sleep Appliance?
You may be a great candidate for oral appliance therapy if you have mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, snore consistently, or want a non-invasive option that doesn’t require a mask or machine.
You may qualify if you:
- Have mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea
- Have severe sleep apnea but struggle with CPAP use
- Snore consistently and want a non-invasive approach
- Want a travel-friendly option that fits your lifestyle
- Want treatment without tubing, noise, or air pressure
Our Process at Grupo Dental O2
We keep the process straightforward and patient-friendly:
Step 1: Consultation & Symptom Review
We review your symptoms, sleep concerns, and health history.
Step 2: Sleep Study Confirmation
If you already have a sleep study, we’ll review it. If not, we’ll guide you toward the right next step.
Step 3: Custom Appliance Design
We capture accurate impressions and design a comfortable, custom-fit appliance.
Step 4: Fitting & Adjustments
We ensure your appliance fits properly and make adjustments for comfort and results.
Step 5: Follow-Up & Ongoing Support
We track how you’re doing and coordinate additional testing when needed.
Medical Insurance & Medical Billing
Many patients assume a sleep appliance must be paid out-of-pocket because it’s made by a dentist. But sleep apnea is a medical condition—and in many cases, oral appliance therapy can be billed through medical insurance.
Coverage depends on your diagnosis, plan benefits, medical necessity documentation, and deductible. Our team can help you understand your options and what to expect before you start.
Medical vs. Dental Billing (Simple Explanation)
Dental insurance is designed to cover teeth and gums. Medical insurance covers conditions that affect your overall health—including airway and breathing disorders. Because sleep apnea impacts your airway and oxygen levels, oral appliances may qualify under medical coverage using medical codes.
If you’ve been told “insurance won’t cover it,” there’s a good chance they were only looking at dental coverage—not medical.
What Patients Notice When Treatment Works
Once patients start breathing better at night, we commonly hear feedback like:
- “I finally wake up feeling rested.”
- “My energy is back.”
- “I’m not falling asleep during the day anymore.”
- “My snoring is gone—or way quieter.”
- “My focus and mood improved.”
Why Choose O2 Dental Group?
There are many places that offer sleep appliances. Our difference is simple: we focus on comfort, consistency, and real results—not just delivering a device.
- Modern digital technology for precise, custom fit
- A treatment plan focused on comfort and long-term success
- Medical billing guidance to help make treatment affordable
- Convenient locations across North Carolina
- A team approach to support you through the process
Sleep Apnea & Snoring – FAQs
How do I know if I have sleep apnea?
If you snore loudly, wake up tired, or feel exhausted during the day, sleep apnea is possible. Other signs include morning headaches, dry mouth, waking up gasping, and trouble focusing. A sleep study is the best way to confirm.
Can a dentist treat sleep apnea?
Yes. Dentists trained in airway-focused care can provide custom oral appliances for obstructive sleep apnea. We coordinate your treatment using your sleep study results.
Is an oral appliance really effective for sleep apnea?
For many patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea, oral appliances can be very effective. They may also help certain patients with severe OSA who cannot tolerate CPAP.
What does a sleep apnea oral appliance look like?
It looks similar to a mouthguard or retainer. It’s custom-made to fit comfortably and helps keep your airway open while you sleep by adjusting jaw position.
Is a sleep appliance more comfortable than CPAP?
Most patients find it easier to wear than a CPAP mask. It’s smaller, silent, travel-friendly, and doesn’t require hoses or air pressure.
Will medical insurance cover a sleep appliance?
In many cases, yes. Medical insurance may cover all or part of the cost depending on your plan and diagnosis. We’ll help guide you through documentation and benefits verification.
Do I need a sleep study before getting treatment?
Typically, yes. A sleep study confirms the diagnosis and helps determine medical necessity for insurance coverage. If you don’t have one, we’ll help you understand the next step.
Can this help with snoring even if I don’t have sleep apnea?
Yes. Many patients seek treatment to reduce snoring. If sleep apnea isn’t present, an appliance may still improve airflow and reduce the vibration that causes snoring.
Schedule Your Sleep Apnea Consultation
If you’re waking up exhausted, snoring loudly, or someone has told you that you stop breathing at night—don’t ignore it.
Sleep apnea is treatable, and the right treatment can change your life.
Schedule a sleep apnea consultation with O2 Dental Group today, and let’s help you breathe better, sleep deeper, and feel like yourself again.
Schedule Today!
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