If your snoring keeps your partner awake — or you wake up tired no matter how long you slept — the solution might come from your dentist. Dental sleep medicine uses custom oral appliances to help with snoring and certain types of sleep apnea.
Here is how a small, custom-fitted device can make a big difference for your sleep and your health.
Snoring vs. Sleep Apnea
Snoring is the sound of air squeezing past relaxed tissues in the throat. Obstructive sleep apnea is more serious: the airway repeatedly collapses during sleep, briefly cutting off breathing. Apnea is linked to fatigue, high blood pressure, and other health risks, so it should always be evaluated by a physician.
How Oral Appliances Work
A dental sleep appliance looks similar to a sports mouthguard or retainer. It gently positions the lower jaw slightly forward, which keeps the airway open and reduces the vibration that causes snoring.
Oral Appliance vs. CPAP
CPAP machines are highly effective and remain the standard for moderate-to-severe apnea, but many people find them noisy or hard to tolerate. For snoring and mild-to-moderate apnea, an oral appliance is a quiet, travel-friendly, comfortable alternative that patients are more likely to use consistently.
- Compact and easy to travel with
- No mask, hose, or electricity
- Custom-fit for comfort and compliance
Who Is a Good Candidate
Oral appliances are often a great fit for people who snore, have mild-to-moderate sleep apnea, or cannot tolerate CPAP. A proper diagnosis from a sleep physician comes first, and then we can fabricate and fine-tune the device.
The Custom Fitting Process
We take a digital scan or impression and create an appliance tailored to your bite, then adjust it over a few visits for the best balance of comfort and effectiveness. Because the device sits on your teeth all night, we also monitor for any effects on your bite — related to how we manage grinding and clenching and protective mouthguards.
Better Sleep for You and Your Partner
Better sleep — for you and your partner — may be one appointment away. Contact Hills Dental Group in San Jose to learn whether a custom oral appliance is right for you.
Read more: Mouthguards: Uses and Types
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Can a dentist treat sleep apnea?
+2. How does an oral appliance stop snoring?
+3. Is an oral appliance better than CPAP?
+4. Is a sleep appliance comfortable to wear?
+5. Do I need a sleep study first?
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At Hills Dental Group, we deliver the Best Dental Care in San Jose for patients of all ages. From preventive check-ups and cosmetic treatments to restorative solutions and emergency care, our team blends expertise with compassion to keep your smile healthy and confident. Discover why families across the Bay Area trust Hills Dental Group for comprehensive care.
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