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Sleep Apnea Treatment & CPAP Alternativesin Gig Harbor, WA

Here at SoundBridge Dental Arts, we offer comfortable, non-invasive sleep therapy solutions to help our patients in Gig Harbor, Tacoma, and surrounding South Sound areas.

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The Problem With CPAP

The most commonly prescribed treatment for sleep apnea is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. It’s a machine that works by delivering constant, steady air pressure through a tube and mask that’s worn while you sleep.

Though it’s effective, many patients complain that their CPAP machine is loud, uncomfortable, and awkward to use. The mask needs to be removed and reattached each time you get up, causing most patients to stop using their CPAP altogether.

Oral Appliances: Small, Quiet & Easy-to-Use

Many of our patients in South Sound areas find relief using an oral appliance for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It’s a small device that works by gently shifting your jaw forward to keep the airway open while you sleep.

Oral appliances are a comfortable, non-invasive alternative to CPAP therapy. They’re quiet, inconspicuous, portable, and easy-to-use. It’s an effective alternative for patients who want a more convenient way to relieve snoring and sleep apnea symptoms. 

Using an Oral Appliance for Sleep Apnea

At SoundBridge, we use custom-made oral appliances to help reduce sleep apnea symptoms, tackle the condition, and help you get a better night’s rest. The most common signs of sleep apnea are snoring and repeatedly gasping for air throughout the night, as well as:

  • purple and white advertisement to learn more about sleep apneaWaking up with a sore or dry throat
  • Excessive daytime sleepiness
  • Morning headaches
  • Lack of energy or motivation
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Depression or irritability 
  • Nighttime sweating

If you experience any of these symptoms, you could have sleep apnea. We work closely with you, your primary care physician, and/or sleep physician to help you sleep soundly and feel rested once again.

Do Oral Appliances Really Work?

Patients find more success with an oral appliance for sleep apnea due to the fact it’s simply a small appliance. An oral appliance repositions and stabilizes your lower jaw, tongue, soft palate, and uvula. This prevents any obstructions in the airway, allowing you to sleep soundly and comfortably throughout the night.

Similar to a night guard, each oral appliance is custom-made to fit comfortably in your mouth while you sleep. There isn’t a one size that fits all, which is why Dr. Iregui works with a variety of oral appliances so that she can find the perfect one for you.

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image of an oral appliance mouthpiece
Dental oral appliance
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an oral appliance on a set of model teeth
upper and lower arch of teeth wearing an oral appliance

Standards of Care

    1. Patients with primary snoring who do not respond to, or are not appropriate candidates for treatment with behavioral measures such as weight loss or sleep-position change.
    2. Patients with mild or moderate OSA do not need to try treatment with a CPAP first. They can go directly into an oral appliance.
    3. Patients with mild, moderate, or severe OSA who are intolerant of or refuse treatment with nasal CPAP. Oral appliances are also indicated for patients who refuse treatment, or are not candidates for tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, craniofacial operations, or tracheostomy.
Meet Our Therapy Expert
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Our Sleep apnea Success Stories

Hear sleep therapy success stories from our Gig Harbor patients.

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Your Sleep Apnea Treatment Options

At SoundBridge, we work with you and your physicians to determine a solution that works for you and treat your obstructive sleep apnea. There are a number of different sleep apnea treatments your doctor may recommend, such as:

  • Lifestyle changes⎼ Regular exercise and a nutritional, well-balanced diet is an effective way to reduce sleep apnea symptoms.
  • CPAP therapy⎼ Keeps your airway open while you sleep by enabling a constant stream of air into your mouth, through a mask you wear while you sleep.
  • Oral appliance⎼ Repositions and stabilizes the muscles and bones of your lower face to prevent airway collapse while you sleep.
  • Upper airway surgery⎼ Surgical techniques used to change the tissues of the soft palate, uvula, and tongue as well as restructure the upper and lower jaw. These techniques reduce or prevent airway collapse.

Find Relief at SoundBridge Dental Arts

We are proud to offer sleep apnea solutions for our patients in Gig Harbor, Tacoma, and surrounding South Sound areas. If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea, give us a call at (253) 857-4114 so we can help find the most effective treatment for your condition.

Schedule Your Consultation

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an oral sleep appliance right for me?
Is an oral appliance better than CPAP?
Will my insurance cover the cost of sleep apnea treatment?
Are there any additional ways to treat sleep apnea symptoms?
Is an oral sleep appliance right for me?

Oral appliance therapy is an effective alternative to CPAP for patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA. This oral device is custom-made to perfectly fit your unique bite, providing greater comfort and adjustability than CPAP. It’s quiet, discreet, and best of all, it doesn’t require you to wear an uncomfortable mask overnight.

Is an oral appliance better than CPAP?

Oral appliance therapy has been shown to be more successful in patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). In fact, most patients prefer oral appliance therapy to CPAP. The appliances are small, portable, comfortable, and best of all, don’t make a sound. 

Oral appliances are a more convenient alternative to CPAP therapy. After getting a diagnosis, Dr. Iregui will explain your treatment options and help you determine a solution that works best for you.

Will my insurance cover the cost of sleep apnea treatment?

Your insurance provider may pay for a portion of your treatment for sleep apnea, but some may not. We recommend contacting your provider ahead of time to get a complete understanding of your coverage. If you’d like, we’ll assist you with billing your insurance company and help you make the most of your benefits. Dr. Iregui offers flexible payment options to ensure each patient receives the quality care they deserve.

Are there any additional ways to treat sleep apnea symptoms?

There are various lifestyle changes that can help reduce sleep apnea symptoms and enhance the effectiveness of treatment. Most sleep specialists recommend maintaining a healthy weight through regular exercise and a nutritional, well-balanced diet. Additional alternatives include changing your sleep position, avoiding alcohol and smoking, and using a humidifier.

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