Your most pressing sleep questions — answered simply and clearly by experts in dental sleep medicine
What every patient should know about snoring, sleep apnea, and why the right treatment matters
Understanding snoring and sleep apnea basics
What every patient should know about snoring, sleep apnea, and why they matter.
Why am I waking up at night gasping for air?
Waking up gasping or choking can occur when the airway becomes blocked during sleep. This is a common symptom of obstructive sleep apnea and should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.
Can snoring be a sign of sleep apnea?
Yes. While not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, loud or chronic snoring — especially when combined with fatigue or breathing pauses — can indicate airway obstruction.
What happens if sleep apnea goes untreated?
Untreated sleep apnea can contribute to daytime fatigue, impaired concentration, and increased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic health issues. Treatment is important for both your health and quality of life.
I didn’t think I had sleep apnea, but my wife was pretty convinced… and the sleep study was totally convincing. I started with a CPAP and tried several masks and ‘pillows’ over a 10 month period; I wasn’t comfortable with any and they made noise. I went to a dental sleep doctor and was outfitted with an oral appliance that was effective, without noise, and felt somewhat like the retainer I wore when I had braces. My AADSM dentist and her staff paid attention to every detail from start to finish.
Dave F.
Oral appliance therapy patient
What dental sleep medicine can do for you
Learn how oral appliance therapy works and why it’s becoming a leading treatment option.
What is oral appliance therapy and how does it work?
What is dental sleep medicine?
Dental sleep medicine is a field of dentistry focused on treating snoring and obstructive sleep apnea using custom-made oral appliances. AADSM Qualified Dentists work closely with physicians to help patients manage their condition.
Is a mouthguard the same thing as an oral appliance?
Is oral appliance therapy effective?
Yes. For many people with obstructive sleep apnea, oral appliances are highly effective. They are an excellent option for people who cannot tolerate CPAP.
Can oral appliance therapy be used with other treatments?
Yes. Oral appliance therapy may be used as part of a personalized treatment plan that includes other therapies such as weight management, lifestyle changes, or CPAP use, depending on individual needs.
Where can I get oral appliance therapy?
Oral appliance therapy is provided by dentists trained to treat sleep apnea by the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, who work in coordination with a physician to diagnose and manage a patient’s symptoms and overall health.
How can I find an AADSM Qualified Dentist for oral appliances?
The American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine has more than 2,400 Qualified Dentists across the United States. You can search its database to find a qualified provider in your area.
In August 2025, I went to Tanzania, Africa to hike Mt. Kilimanjaro… I have pretty severe sleep apnea, and I use my CPAP machine religiously… So, I was concerned as to how I would be able to make it to the top.
After discussion with my doctor, she sent me to an AADSM Qualified Dentist who developed a mouthpiece designed specifically to fit my teeth and assist with my sleep apnea. This device was a game changer. I was able to get an adequate amount of sleep, which allowed me to complete my journey to the top!
After discussion with my doctor, she sent me to an AADSM Qualified Dentist who developed a mouthpiece designed specifically to fit my teeth and assist with my sleep apnea. This device was a game changer. I was able to get an adequate amount of sleep, which allowed me to complete my journey to the top!
Sherry B.
Oral appliance therapy patient
Are you a candidate for oral appliance therapy? Here’s how to know
Who benefits most from oral appliances — and how an AADSM Qualified Dentist determines the right fit.
Who is a good candidate for oral appliance therapy?
You may be a candidate if you:
- Snore regularly
- Have sleep apnea
- Cannot tolerate CPAP
- Prefer a portable and comfortable treatment option
Can I switch from CPAP to an oral appliance?
Yes. Many patients who struggle with CPAP use oral appliance therapy instead. In some cases, the two therapies may even be combined.
Who should I see first?
A primary care provider or sleep physician typically diagnoses sleep apnea. After diagnosis, an AADSM Qualified Dentist delivers oral appliance therapy in coordination with your primary medical team. You can learn more about the steps to treatment by visiting our Get Started page.
In my practice experience, patients using OAT have experienced fewer episodes of oxygen desaturation and improved oxygen levels, report improved symptoms in sleep quality and daytime alertness, and experience downstream effects in lowered blood pressure, elimination of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), elimination or greatly reduced nocturia, and weight loss due to decreased cortisol release from apneas.
Dr. David E. Federici,
Doctor of Dental Medicine and AADSM Qualified Dentist
An improved quality of life is just a call away
Ready to experience quick and lasting results from a snoring and sleep apnea treatment? One call to an AADSM Qualified Dentist can significantly benefit your health and wellness long-term. Explore the steps to get started now.
Dentists who provide snoring and sleep apnea solutions
The American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) is the only national non-profit professional society dedicated exclusively to the practice of dental sleep medicine. The AADSM represents thousands of dentists across the U.S. who are specially trained to provide snoring and sleep apnea solutions.
© 2023 American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine