Get started with sleep apnea treatment
Good news! Medicare and other medical insurers commonly reimburse for oral appliances for sleep apnea and snoring. Patients can also use HSA or FSA accounts to cover costs associated with the therapy.
What to expect when you get started
Common questions about sleep apnea and snoring treatment
What happens during a dental sleep appointment?
Your dentist will:
- Review your sleep study results
- Examine your teeth, airway and jaw
- Take impressions or digital scans of your teeth
- Fit a custom oral appliance
- Adjust the device over time to make sure it works effectively
How long does it take to get the device?
Is the appliance comfortable?
Most patients adjust within a few nights. The device is small, lightweight, and designed for nightly use.
Your dentist may provide some morning exercises to help you adjust to the appliance.
How long does an oral appliance last?
How soon will I notice improvements?
How do I care for the device?
Your AADSM Qualified Dentist will provide full care instructions.
Can I travel with it?
Steps to treatment
Step 1
Visit an AADSM Qualified Dentist
If you have not yet been diagnosed with sleep apnea but experience snoring and breathing-related sleep disruption, make an appointment with an AADSM Qualified Dentist to get screened for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Get diagnosed with sleep apnea
Dentists cannot diagnose sleep apnea; this diagnosis must come from a physician. Your AADSM Qualified Dentist will help you navigate this process. Once diagnosed, ask your doctor about oral appliance therapy as an alternative to CPAP.
Step 2
Step 3
Get custom-fit for an oral appliance
Once your physician refers you for an oral appliance, it’s time to return to your AADSM Qualified Dentist. During the visit, your dentist will determine which type of appliance would work best for you. To make your personalized appliance, your dentist will take impressions of your teeth. Once your oral appliance has been created – often in less than two weeks – your dentist will show you how to wear it and adjust it to ensure maximum comfort and efficacy.
Enjoy better sleep, fast!
Step 4
Step 5
Follow up to monitor improvement
Your dentist will schedule follow-up appointments. At these quick sessions, your dentist will ensure your oral appliance works effectively to treat your symptoms and fits as comfortably as possible during sleep.
Oral appliance therapy: An investment in your overall health
Doctor of Dental Medicine and American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine Past President
Find an American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine Qualified Dentist near you
The AADSM has more than 2,400 Qualified Dentists across the United States. It’s easy to find an AADSM Qualified Dentist in your area! Simply utilize our directory to search by name, state, or zip code.
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.
