Sleep Apnea Treatment
If snoring, gasping awake, or dragging through exhausted mornings has you bracing for a CPAP machine, this isn’t that. Emerald Dental treats sleep apnea with custom oral appliance therapy, a small, comfortable device worn at night instead of a mask and hose, gently repositioning your jaw to keep your airway open while you sleep. No pump, no noise, nothing to strap on before bed. Emerald Dental offers sleep apnea treatment at our Lakewood, CO office, led by Dr. Stephanie Paswaters.
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What Is Sleep Apnea & How Does Oral Appliance Therapy Help?
Sleep apnea is a disorder that causes breathing to repeatedly stop and restart during sleep. The most common form, obstructive sleep apnea, occurs when the upper airway becomes blocked or narrowed, disrupting normal breathing and sleep and contributing to symptoms such as daytime fatigue, morning headaches, and difficulty concentrating. For certain patients, oral appliance therapy offers a treatment option using a custom-fitted device worn while you sleep to reposition the lower jaw and tongue and help keep the airway open. Unlike CPAP, an oral appliance does not require a mask, hose, or electricity, making it a compact option that may be considered for patients whose condition and treatment needs make them appropriate candidates.
How Sleep Apnea Treatment Works
Consultation.
You’ll discuss your symptoms, review any existing sleep studies, and get an evaluation of your oral and airway health.
Custom Appliance Design.
If oral appliance therapy is the right fit, Dr. Paswaters designs a device fitted precisely to your bite and airway.
Fitting and Follow-Up.
Your appliance is fitted and adjusted for comfort, with follow-up visits to confirm it’s fitting well and doing its job.
Benefits of Treating Sleep Apnea
Treating sleep apnea isn’t just about better sleep, it’s about getting back the parts of daily life that exhaustion quietly wears down.
Quieter, more restful nights, for you and whoever's sleeping next to you
More consistent energy and focus throughout the day
No mask, hose, or machine to manage every night
Lower long-term risk tied to untreated sleep apnea
A discreet, portable device that travels easily
Why Emerald Dental for Sleep Apnea Treatment
Every oral appliance is custom-fitted to your bite and airway, not a generic mouthpiece, and Dr. Paswaters works alongside medical sleep specialists to confirm an accurate diagnosis before any treatment begins. Follow-up visits ensure your appliance keeps fitting well and doing its job long after your first night wearing it. Meet Dr. Paswaters on our About Us page.
What Patients Are Saying
Real feedback from real patients across our Lakewood and Littleton offices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is oral appliance therapy as effective as a CPAP machine?
For mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, oral appliance therapy can be an effective alternative, especially for patients who struggle to stick with CPAP consistently. Effectiveness depends on your specific diagnosis, and your dentist will help determine whether it’s the right fit compared to other treatment options.
How does an oral appliance actually treat sleep apnea?
It works by gently repositioning your jaw and tongue to keep your airway open while you sleep, preventing the airway collapse that causes breathing pauses. Unlike a CPAP, it does this through a fitted device rather than air pressure.
Do I need a sleep study before starting treatment?
In most cases, yes, an existing or new sleep study helps confirm a diagnosis and its severity before treatment begins. If you don’t already have one, your dentist can guide you through getting evaluated.
Can I use oral appliance therapy if I have severe sleep apnea?
Oral appliance therapy is typically recommended for mild to moderate cases, while more severe cases are often managed with CPAP or a combination approach. Your specific diagnosis determines what’s realistic, and your dentist will be direct with you about which option fits your situation.
Is it uncomfortable to wear an appliance every night?
Most patients adjust within the first week or two, since the appliance is custom-fitted to your bite rather than a generic shape. It’s designed to be worn comfortably through the night, not something you have to fight to keep in.
Get Your Nights, and Your Energy, Back
Better sleep can mean waking up feeling restored instead of starting another day already exhausted. The right sleep apnea treatment can help improve nighttime breathing so you can get more restful sleep and bring more energy into your days. Emerald Dental offers sleep apnea treatment at our Lakewood, CO office. Schedule a consultation and take the first step toward sleeping and feeling better.
Find Us
Two Convenient Locations
Both offices are open Monday through Thursday and accept new patients of all ages.
Lakewood
Emerald Dental Lakewood
12093-A West Alameda Pkwy, Lakewood, CO 80228
Littleton
Emerald Dental Littleton
2731 W Belleview Ave, Littleton, CO 80123