Sleep Apnea Oral Appliance Therapy
Serving Vancouver, WA & the Portland, OR Area
Sleep apnea is a medical condition. It’s more than snoring. It’s a condition where breathing is repeatedly reduced or interrupted during sleep—often without the person realizing it. Over time, untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can affect energy, mood, cognition, blood pressure, metabolic health, and cardiovascular risk.
At Rest Dentistry, we provide physician-guided oral appliance therapy for sleep apnea—sometimes called a “sleep apnea mouth guard,” “sleep apnea mouthpiece,” dental appliance, oral appliance, or mandibular advancement device. We value an evidence-based and medically-appropriate approach. Diagnosis and medical oversight matter, and treatment selection should be individualized.
For sleep apnea cases with medical insurance, call our team: 360-219-9779
What is Oral Appliance Therapy?
Oral appliance therapy (OAT) involves the use of a custom, titratable device worn during sleep to help keep the airway open. Most commonly, it works by gently positioning the lower jaw forward to reduce airway collapse.
A true sleep apnea oral appliance is not the same as an over-the-counter snoring guard. Medical oral appliance therapy is:
Custom fabricated to your mouth and bite. It is designed specifically for your mouth, bite, muscles, and airway—not a one-size-fits-all device.
Adjustable (titrated) over time to find the sweet spot between improved sleep breathing and comfortable TMJs/muscles. These devices require careful titration to find the balance between improved breathing and comfortable joints and muscles.
Prescribed after proper medical diagnosis. It is only provided after proper medical diagnosis and case review.
Monitored for effectiveness and side effects. Patients are followed over time to assess symptom improvement, airway response, and any potential side effects.
Who This Is (And Is Not) For
When is oral appliance therapy (OAT) appropriate?
Mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
Patients with moderate to severe OSA who are unable to tolerate CPAP
Primary snoring (when OSA has been ruled out or is minimal)
Patients seeking a medically supervised alternative when surgery is not desired or indicated
I don’t believe every person with snoring needs a device. I don’t believe OAT is the answer for every person. I don’t believe every person with sleep apnea should abandon CPAP. Treatment decisions deserve nuance.
My role is not to replace medical care. It’s to work within it—and when necessary, help patients access it.
Oral appliance therapy works well for some patients. For others, it’s not the right choice. Proper diagnosis, clear expectations, and ongoing monitoring really matter.
If You Already Have a Physician
If you are currently under the care of a primary care physician or sleep physician, this is great! You have a head start in the process to capturing your health. We are happy to coordinate with them regarding:
Your diagnosis and baseline sleep study
A prescription for oral appliance therapy, if appropriate
Follow-up testing to confirm response to treatment.
If You Don’t Yet Have a Diagnosis (or You’re Stuck Waiting)
If you suspect sleep apnea but haven’t had a sleep study—or you’re facing long wait times—we can help guide next steps.
We work with a licensed sleep physician who is credentialed in both Washington and Oregon. When appropriate, patients may complete a home sleep study that is interpreted by this physician. Based on the results, medical recommendations are made, including whether oral appliance therapy is indicated.
This option is not meant to replace local physicians. It’s simply a pathway for patients who need timely access to medically supervised evaluation—especially when other routes are delayed.
CPAP vs Oral Appliance Therapy
CPAP remains an important first-line therapy for many patients, particularly in moderate to severe OSA.
At the same time, many patients struggle with real-world CPAP use. Whether it’s an inability to sleep with a mask or an unwillingness to carry around a CPAP when traveling or camping, some people simply don’t tolerate them well. For properly selected patients, oral appliance therapy can be an effective option—especially when it is:
Carefully fitted
Titrated appropriately
Confirmed with follow-up sleep testing
If you already have a physician managing your sleep apnea, we encourage you to stay connected with that care. Our goal is collaborative, medically appropriate treatment—not a workaround.
What Does Our Clinical Process Look Like?
If oral appliance therapy is appropriate, here’s what happens next. Our process is designed to be as streamlined and as simple as possible. It starts by calling our Sleep and TMJ team. They will map out and guide you through the following steps:
Understanding YOUR medical insurance coverage
Sleep evaluation / sleep study
Medical interpretation and recommendations
Prescription for oral appliance therapy when indicated
Dental and TMJ screening exam to determine candidacy and appropriateness
Custom appliance fabrication
Titration and follow-up
Follow-up sleep testing to confirm effectiveness
Risks and Monitoring
Oral appliance therapy can be very helpful, but it isn’t a “set it and forget it” type of deal. So it’s very important to understand that follow-ups are necessary even after delivery of an appliance. Common but serious risks we monitor for include:
Bite changes / tooth movement
Jaw joint (TMJ) discomfort
Muscle soreness or tension
Responsible therapy includes ongoing monitoring and appropriate follow-up.
Medical Insurance & Our Medical Coordination Team
Because sleep apnea is a medical condition, insurance and documentation are handled differently than routine dental care. Sleep apnea is a medical diagnosis, and oral appliance therapy for diagnosed OSA is commonly processed through medical insurance.
Because the medical side can be complex, we have a dedicated medical coordination team for Sleep and TMJ appliances. They will help guide you through your:
Benefits verification
Documentation support
Billing and claims workflow
Coordination related to prescriptions and sleep testing
Two Phone Numbers (So You Reach the Right Team)
For sleep apnea oral appliance therapy & TMJ cases using medical insurance:
Sunday Closed
Monday 8:00-3:00
Tuesday 8:00-5:00
Wednesday 9:00-5:30
Thursday 9:00-5:30
Friday 8:00-12:00
Saturday Closed
For all other dental issues (NOT involving medical insurance), whether biological, airway, sleep, or TMJ:
Sunday Closed
Monday Closed
Tuesday 8:00-5:00
Wednesday 9:00-5:30
Thursday 9:00-5:30
Friday 8:00-12:00
Saturday Closed
Not sure which number to call? Start with either—our team will guide you!
Professional Guidelines
Oral appliance therapy is supported by established professional organizations when appropriately prescribed and monitored.
Clinical guidance includes:
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) recommend oral appliance therapy for patients with mild–moderate obstructive sleep apnea and for patients with moderate–severe OSA who are intolerant of CPAP.
The American Dental Association (ADA) recognizes oral appliance therapy as an appropriate treatment modality when provided in collaboration with a physician.
Follow-up sleep testing is recommended to confirm therapeutic effectiveness.
We value and practice within these established guidelines and emphasize physician-directed diagnosis and oversight.
Next Step
If you live in the Vancouver, WA or Portland, OR area and you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea—or suspect you may have it—our medical coordination team can help you understand the next steps.
Contact our medical team to begin the evaluation process at 360-219-9779.
Meet the Team
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Cassie
PATIENT SUPPORT
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Kayla
PATIENT SUPPORT
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Karen
CLINICAL SUPPORT
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Jessica
SYSTEMS & SUPPORT
