CPAP is an effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, but only when you can wear it. Many people find the mask, the hose, and the constant airflow hard to sleep with, and the machine ends up in a closet. If that sounds familiar, you are not alone, and you are not out of options.
At Drew Dental, Dr. Allyson Drew and Dr. Jason Drew provide oral appliance therapy, a comfortable, custom-fitted CPAP alternative for patients throughout Aptos, Capitola, Soquel, and Santa Cruz County. Both doctors have completed advanced training in dental sleep medicine, and Dr. Allyson Drew is a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine.
Call (831) 688-6060 to schedule a sleep consultation.
Oral appliance therapy is recognized by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine as a treatment option for adults with obstructive sleep apnea. It may be a good fit if you:
Oral appliances are most often recommended for mild to moderate sleep apnea. For severe sleep apnea, CPAP usually remains the first recommendation. Some patients with severe sleep apnea who cannot use CPAP still benefit from an appliance, or from using an appliance together with CPAP at a lower pressure. Your sleep physician and our team will decide what is appropriate for you together.
An appliance also requires healthy teeth and gums to anchor to. We check this during your dental exam.
In obstructive sleep apnea, the muscles in the throat relax during sleep. The tongue and soft tissues fall back and narrow or block the airway. Each time this happens, oxygen drops and your brain briefly wakes you to restart breathing, often many times an hour without you remembering it.
A custom oral appliance looks similar to a sports mouthguard or orthodontic retainer. You wear it only while you sleep. It holds your lower jaw slightly forward, which brings the tongue forward and keeps the airway open so air can move freely.
The appliances we provide are custom made from impressions or digital scans of your teeth. They are adjustable, so we can move the jaw forward in small steps until your symptoms improve while keeping you comfortable. This is a key difference from over-the-counter snoring mouthpieces, which are not adjustable and are not designed to treat sleep apnea.
Benefits patients notice:
| Feature | CPAP | Custom Oral Appliance |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Pressurized air through a mask holds the airway open | Holds the lower jaw forward to keep the airway open |
| Best suited for | Mild to severe sleep apnea; first choice for severe cases | Mild to moderate sleep apnea, CPAP intolerance, and snoring |
| Comfort | Mask, hose, and airflow can be hard to adjust to | Small device worn on the teeth; most patients adapt within a few weeks |
| Noise | Low machine hum | Silent |
| Travel | Requires the machine, power, and supplies | Fits in a small case |
| Prescribed by | Sleep physician | Sleep physician, fitted and managed by a trained dentist |
The best treatment is the one you will actually use every night. For many patients who have given up on CPAP, a well-fitted oral appliance means consistent treatment for the first time.
We screen every patient at Drew Dental for signs of sleep-disordered breathing, including snoring, daytime fatigue, and tooth wear from nighttime grinding. At your consultation we review your symptoms, sleep history, and any previous sleep study or CPAP experience.
Sleep apnea is a medical condition and must be diagnosed by a physician. If you have not had a sleep study, we can help you arrange one, either an overnight study at a sleep center or a home sleep test. If you already have a diagnosis, we work with your sleep physician directly.
We examine your teeth, gums, and jaw joints to make sure an appliance is safe for you. We then take precise impressions or digital scans to create your custom device.
When your appliance arrives, we fit it, teach you how to wear and clean it, and set a comfortable starting position. Over the following weeks we adjust it in small steps as your symptoms improve.
Once you and your symptoms have settled, a follow-up sleep test confirms that the appliance is working. We then see you regularly to check the fit, your bite, and your jaw joints, and to adjust the appliance as needed.
An oral appliance often works best as part of a broader plan. Depending on your situation, we may also discuss:
If your child snores or shows signs of disrupted sleep, learn about our pediatric sleep disordered breathing care.
Dr. Allyson Drew, DDS brings a focus on the connection between oral health and whole-body health to every sleep patient she treats. She is a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) and The American Academy for Oral Systemic Health, and she has completed the Seattle Sleep Education Dental Sleep Medicine Course. As a Healthy Start Sleep Disordered Breathing Provider, she also helps children with airway and breathing concerns. Dr. Allyson is an accredited continuing education provider and a peer reviewer for Dental Economics and RDH magazine. Read Dr. Allyson Drew’s full bio.
Dr. Jason Drew, DDS has also completed the Seattle Sleep Education Dental Sleep Medicine Course. His experience across all phases of dentistry, including oral surgery, bone grafting, implants, and dentures, gives him a thorough understanding of the teeth, bite, and jaw that every appliance depends on. He is a member of the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honor Society, which recognizes the top 10% of dental graduates, and the American Academy of Oral Pathology. Read Dr. Jason Drew’s full bio.
Both doctors are avid outdoor enthusiasts on the Central Coast and know how much good sleep matters for an active life, whether that means an early tee time, a day on the Monterey Bay, or simply having the energy to keep up with family.
Because obstructive sleep apnea is a medical condition, oral appliance therapy is often covered by medical insurance rather than dental insurance. Drew Dental is able to bill medical insurance for oral appliance therapy. Coverage typically requires a sleep study and a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea. Our team will verify your benefits and explain any out-of-pocket costs before treatment begins.
Yes, for many patients. Oral appliance therapy is a recognized treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, especially mild to moderate cases and patients who cannot tolerate CPAP. Because results vary, a follow-up sleep test is used to confirm your appliance is working.
Yes. Sleep apnea must be diagnosed by a physician before an oral appliance can be prescribed. If you have not had a sleep study, we can help you arrange an in-lab study or a home sleep test.
Most patients adapt within a few weeks. Mild jaw or tooth soreness in the morning is common at first and usually fades as you adjust. Because your appliance is custom made and adjustable, we can fine-tune it for comfort.
Possible side effects include temporary jaw soreness, tooth tenderness, extra saliva or dry mouth, and, over time, small changes in how your teeth fit together. Regular follow-up visits let us monitor your bite and jaw joints and address any changes early.
Some patients use both. An appliance can allow CPAP to work at a lower pressure, which many people find more comfortable, or serve as a backup for travel and camping.
No. Over-the-counter mouthpieces are not custom fitted or precisely adjustable, and they are not designed or approved to treat sleep apnea. Using one can also mask snoring while sleep apnea continues untreated.
Oral appliance therapy is often covered by medical insurance when you have a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea. Drew Dental bills medical insurance, and our team will verify your benefits before treatment.
If CPAP has not worked for you, or you or your partner are worried about loud snoring, a better night’s sleep may be closer than you think. Drs. Allyson and Jason Drew will review your history, answer your questions, and help you understand your options.
Drew Dental is located at 783 Rio Del Mar Blvd, Aptos, CA 95003, a short drive from Capitola, Soquel, Seascape, and Santa Cruz. Call (831) 688-6060 to schedule your consultation.
Learn more about the signs and risks of obstructive sleep apnea.
