Airway & Sleep Dentistry
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can cause loud snoring, daytime fatigue, morning headaches, and interrupted breathing during sleep. Left untreated, it increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. At Airway Dental & More, Dr. Neil K. Stevenson provides dental sleep apnea treatment with custom oral appliances as a comfortable alternative to CPAP for mild to moderate sleep apnea, helping patients throughout Jacksonville, Northeast Florida, and Southeast Georgia sleep better and improve their overall health.
Understanding Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Adults
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when soft tissues in the upper airway collapse during sleep, blocking airflow and causing repeated breathing interruptions. These episodes force your brain to briefly wake you throughout the night, disrupting sleep cycles and preventing restorative rest. The condition affects 32.4% of American adults, with men experiencing higher prevalence rates than women. Age and obesity significantly increase OSA risk, though the condition affects people across all demographics.
Dental Sleep Medicine
Oral Appliance Therapy for Sleep Apnea
For patients who struggle with CPAP due to discomfort, noise, claustrophobia, or travel challenges, custom oral appliances offer an effective, research-backed alternative.
How Oral Appliances Work
Oral appliances are custom-made devices worn during sleep that gently position the lower jaw forward to keep the airway open and prevent tissue collapse. Unlike CPAP machines, they are compact, silent, comfortable, and easy to travel with. Professional fitting is essential to ensure effectiveness and protect your dental health.
Who Benefits?
Oral appliance therapy is highly effective for many patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. It can also help patients with severe sleep apnea who cannot tolerate CPAP, since consistent treatment is more beneficial than a CPAP machine that goes unused.
At Airway Dental & More, we perform a thorough evaluation of your airway, dental health, and jaw function to determine whether oral appliance therapy is the right solution for you.
QuietNite®
Supporting Better Breathing and Sleep
At Airway Dental & More, we offer QuietNite® therapy to improve airway function, nasal breathing, and sleep quality. This non-invasive treatment helps promote proper tongue posture and supports an open airway, reducing snoring and encouraging healthier breathing for more restful sleep.
Benefits of QuietNite®
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Promotes healthier nasal breathing
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Supports proper tongue posture and oral function
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May help reduce snoring
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Encourages improved airway stability during sleep
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Comfortable, non-invasive treatment
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Suitable for both adults and children in appropriate cases
Who Can Benefit?
QuietNite® may be recommended for patients who:
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Snore regularly
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Experience poor sleep quality or daytime fatigue
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Have mild airway dysfunction
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Mouth breathe during the day or night
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Are seeking additional support alongside other airway-focused therapies
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Common Sleep Apnea Symptoms
During Sleep
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Loud, chronic snoring
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Pauses in breathing followed by gasping or choking
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Restless or disrupted sleep
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Frequent nighttime urination
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Waking with a dry mouth or sore throat
During the Day
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Excessive daytime fatigue, even after a full night's sleep
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Morning headaches
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Difficulty concentrating or memory problems
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Irritability and mood changes
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Reduced work performance and quality of life
Why Treatment Matters
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Untreated obstructive sleep apnea can increase the risk of:
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High blood pressure
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Heart disease and irregular heart rhythms
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Stroke
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Insulin resistance and diabetes complications
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Other serious long-term health problems
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Early diagnosis and treatment can improve sleep quality, overall health, and daily functioning.