Sleep More Comfortably With a Custom Oral Appliance
If obstructive sleep apnea or frequent snoring is disrupting your sleep, a custom oral appliance may help keep your airway more open at night. At Henrietta Family Dental, Dr. Ihab Soliman provides sleep apnea devices in Rochester, New York, including the ProSomnus® Sleep Device for appropriate patients seeking a non-CPAP treatment option.
Unlike a CPAP machine, an oral appliance does not require a mask, hose or powered airflow. Instead, the custom device gently positions your lower jaw forward while you sleep, which can help prevent the airway from becoming obstructed.
Ready to find out whether oral appliance therapy is right for you? Call 585-424-3310 to schedule a consultation with our dentist.
How Do Sleep Apnea Oral Appliances Work?
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the airway repeatedly becomes narrowed or blocked during sleep. These interruptions can interfere with restful sleep and may contribute to symptoms such as loud snoring, daytime fatigue and difficulty feeling refreshed in the morning.
A sleep apnea oral appliance is designed to support a more open airway by adjusting the position of the lower jaw while you sleep. Moving the jaw slightly forward also advances the tongue, helping create more room for airflow.
ProSomnus Sleep Device at Henrietta Family Dental
Dr. Ihab Soliman and our team use the ProSomnus Sleep Device for oral appliance therapy. The appliance is customized for the patient and designed to gently hold the lower jaw in a forward position during sleep.
For appropriate patients with obstructive sleep apnea, this approach can provide a compact, quiet and convenient alternative to sleeping with CPAP equipment.
For additional information about the appliance, you can review the ProSomnus Sleep Device information.
Who May Benefit From a Sleep Apnea Device?
Oral appliance therapy is not the right treatment for every person with sleep apnea. Dr. Soliman will evaluate your individual circumstances to determine whether a dental sleep device is an appropriate option.
Oral appliance therapy may be worth discussing if you:
- Have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea
- Experience frequent snoring related to airway obstruction
- Are looking for a non-CPAP treatment option
- Have difficulty using or tolerating CPAP therapy
- Want a compact treatment option that is easier to travel with
If you suspect you have sleep apnea but have not been diagnosed, it is important to have the condition properly evaluated rather than attempting to treat symptoms such as snoring on your own.
Signs and Symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea often affects patients while they are unconscious, so another person may notice nighttime symptoms first. Common concerns associated with obstructive sleep apnea can include:
- Loud or persistent snoring
- Pauses in breathing during sleep
- Gasping or choking during the night
- Frequently interrupted sleep
- Morning headaches
- Daytime sleepiness or fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Waking without feeling rested
Snoring alone does not necessarily mean you have sleep apnea. Because sleep apnea is a medical condition, appropriate diagnosis is an important part of determining the right treatment.
Oral Appliance Therapy vs. CPAP
CPAP and oral appliance therapy approach obstructive sleep apnea differently. CPAP uses pressurized air delivered through a mask to help maintain an open airway. A dental sleep appliance works mechanically by repositioning the jaw to support airflow.
Some patients find oral appliances easier to incorporate into their nighttime routine because they are small, quiet and do not require electricity, tubing or a mask. They are also portable for travel.
However, an oral appliance should not be considered automatically better than CPAP. The appropriate treatment depends on your diagnosis, individual health needs and recommendations from the professionals involved in your sleep apnea care.
What to Expect With a Custom Sleep Apnea Device
Your oral appliance therapy begins with an evaluation to determine whether your teeth, jaw and oral health can appropriately support treatment. Dr. Ihab Soliman will also discuss your sleep apnea history and current treatment.
If a ProSomnus device is appropriate, the appliance is customized for your mouth rather than using a generic over-the-counter mouthpiece. The goal is to position the lower jaw in a way that supports the airway while maintaining a comfortable fit.
Follow-up is an important part of treatment. Dr. Soliman can monitor the fit of your appliance, your comfort and any changes involving your teeth or jaw.
Why a Custom Appliance Matters
A sleep apnea device affects the position of your jaw for hours each night. For that reason, fit and positioning matter.
A custom appliance is created specifically for your mouth and treatment needs. Dr. Ihab Soliman can evaluate how the device fits your teeth and jaw and make adjustments when appropriate rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all solution.
Can a Sleep Apnea Device Help With Snoring?
Because snoring can occur when tissues vibrate as air moves through a narrowed airway, repositioning the lower jaw may reduce snoring for some patients. The ProSomnus appliance is designed to help maintain a more open airway while you sleep.
However, persistent snoring can also be a warning sign of obstructive sleep apnea. Treating the sound of snoring without evaluating its cause could leave an underlying sleep disorder unaddressed.
Sleep Apnea Treatment Requires Ongoing Follow-Up
Receiving an oral appliance is not necessarily the end of treatment. Your response to therapy should be monitored, and your appliance may require adjustments over time.
Regular dental visits also allow Dr. Soliman to monitor your teeth, bite and oral tissues while you use the device. Continue following the recommendations of the medical professionals managing your sleep apnea diagnosis as well.
Experienced Care With Dr. Ihab Soliman
Dr. Ihab Soliman earned a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine and completed a general practice residency at Rochester General Hospital. His comprehensive dental background allows him to evaluate how oral appliance therapy relates to your teeth, bite, jaw and overall oral health.
At Henrietta Family Dental, sleep apnea devices are provided as part of an individualized approach rather than treating every patient or every case of snoring the same way.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sleep Apnea Devices
What is a sleep apnea oral appliance?
A sleep apnea oral appliance is a custom device worn while sleeping. It positions the lower jaw forward to help maintain a more open airway in appropriate patients with obstructive sleep apnea.
What sleep apnea device does Henrietta Family Dental use?
Dr. Ihab Soliman and our team use the ProSomnus Sleep Device for appropriate oral appliance therapy patients.
Is a sleep apnea device the same as a CPAP machine?
No. CPAP uses pressurized airflow through a mask, while an oral appliance works by repositioning the jaw to help maintain an open airway.
Can an oral appliance replace my CPAP?
That depends on your individual sleep apnea diagnosis and treatment needs. Do not stop using prescribed CPAP therapy without discussing the change with the appropriate healthcare professional. Dr. Soliman can evaluate whether oral appliance therapy may be an option for you.
Can a sleep apnea device stop snoring?
Oral appliance therapy may reduce snoring for some patients by supporting a more open airway. Because persistent snoring can also be associated with sleep apnea, the underlying cause should be appropriately evaluated.
Is a ProSomnus device custom-made?
Yes. The ProSomnus appliance provided through our office is customized for the individual patient rather than being a generic over-the-counter mouthpiece.
Is an oral sleep appliance easy to travel with?
Oral appliances are compact and do not require the mask, tubing or powered airflow used by CPAP machines, which can make them convenient for travel.
Will I need follow-up appointments?
Yes. Follow-up allows Dr. Ihab Soliman to evaluate the appliance’s fit and monitor your teeth, bite, jaw and oral health while you use it.
Can I get an oral appliance if I only snore?
Snoring has several possible causes and does not automatically mean you have obstructive sleep apnea. Dr. Soliman can discuss your symptoms and whether additional evaluation is appropriate before recommending treatment.
Where can I get a sleep apnea device in Rochester, New York?
Henrietta Family Dental provides customized ProSomnus sleep apnea devices for appropriate patients. Call 585-424-3310 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Ihab Soliman.
Breathe Easier and Get More Restful Sleep
If obstructive sleep apnea is interfering with your sleep and CPAP is difficult to tolerate, a custom oral appliance may provide another treatment option. Dr. Ihab Soliman can evaluate your oral health and discuss whether the ProSomnus Sleep Device is appropriate for your needs.
Call Henrietta Family Dental at 585-424-3310 to schedule a consultation with our dentist and learn more about sleep apnea devices in Rochester, New York.