Sleep Apnea Oral Appliances | Charlottesville VA Dentist

Sleep Apnea & Oral Appliance Therapy in Ivy, VA

Snoring and obstructive sleep apnea do more than disrupt your rest — they can affect your heart health, energy levels, and overall quality of life. At Willis & Associates Family Dentistry Ivy – Charlottesville, Dr. Michelle Kim offers custom oral appliance therapy as a comfortable, effective alternative to CPAP for treating mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea.

What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when the soft tissues at the back of the throat collapse during sleep, partially or completely blocking the airway. This causes repeated pauses in breathing throughout the night, sometimes hundreds of times, each lasting ten seconds or longer. Your brain briefly wakes you to reopen the airway, preventing deep, restorative sleep.

An estimated 22 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, and many cases go undiagnosed. Left untreated, OSA is linked to serious health conditions including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and depression.

Signs You May Have Sleep Apnea

Loud, chronic snoring
Gasping, choking, or pauses in breathing during sleep (often noticed by a partner)
Excessive daytime sleepiness or fatigue despite a full night of sleep
Morning headaches or a dry, sore throat upon waking
Difficulty concentrating, memory problems, or irritability
Waking frequently during the night to urinate
Teeth grinding (bruxism) during sleep

How Your Dentist Can Help

Dentists are uniquely positioned to screen for sleep apnea because we examine the mouth, jaw, and airway at every visit. Dr. Kim looks for telltale signs like tooth wear from grinding, scalloped tongue edges, a narrow airway, or a large tongue relative to the mouth. If sleep apnea is suspected, we coordinate with your physician or a sleep specialist for a definitive diagnosis through a sleep study.

Oral Appliance Therapy

For patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, or for those who cannot tolerate a CPAP machine, a custom oral appliance is an effective and comfortable treatment option. The appliance looks similar to a sports mouthguard and is worn only during sleep.

The device works by gently repositioning the lower jaw slightly forward, which keeps the airway open and prevents the soft tissue collapse that causes apnea events. Benefits of oral appliance therapy include:

Comfortable and easy to wear — custom-fitted to your mouth for a precise, comfortable fit
Silent — no machine noise, hoses, or masks
Portable — fits in a small case, ideal for travel
Easy to maintain — simple cleaning with a toothbrush and water
High compliance — patients are far more likely to use an oral appliance consistently compared to CPAP

The Process

After a sleep apnea diagnosis from your physician, Dr. Kim takes precise digital impressions of your teeth and bite. Your custom appliance is fabricated in a dental lab and fitted at a follow-up appointment. Dr. Kim will adjust the appliance for optimal comfort and effectiveness, and follow-up sleep testing confirms that the device is successfully treating your apnea.

Is an Oral Appliance Right for You?

Oral appliance therapy is recommended by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine for patients with mild to moderate OSA and for patients with severe OSA who are unable to use CPAP. It is also an excellent option for primary snoring. Dr. Kim will work with your sleep physician to determine the best treatment approach for your individual needs.

Tired of feeling tired? Call 434-977-4101 or book online to discuss sleep apnea treatment options.

Quick Links

New Patients Learn what to expect at your first visit with us. Scheduling Schedule your next appointment online or by phone. Patient Registration Register as a new patient quickly and easily. Emergency Care Dental emergency? Call 434-977-4101 for same-day care.

Ready to schedule your appointment?

434-977-4101 Schedule Online

Book Online

434-977-4101 Book Online New Patient Info

Related Services

Clinical Hours

Mon – Fri8am – 5pm
Sat – SunClosed

Appointment Booking

Available24/7

Our Location

2216 Ivy Rd #205
Charlottesville, VA 22903

Get Directions

Frequently Asked Questions

How can a dentist help with sleep apnea?

Dentists are uniquely positioned to screen for sleep apnea because we examine the mouth, jaw, and airway at every visit — watching for tooth wear from grinding, scalloped tongue edges, or a narrow airway. If sleep apnea is suspected, we coordinate with your physician or a sleep specialist for a formal diagnosis, then provide custom oral appliance therapy when appropriate.

What is an oral appliance and how does it work?

A custom oral appliance looks similar to a sports mouthguard and is worn only during sleep. It works by gently repositioning your lower jaw slightly forward, which keeps the airway open and prevents the soft-tissue collapse that causes apnea events and snoring. Each appliance is custom-fitted for comfort and effectiveness.

Is an oral appliance a good alternative to CPAP?

For the right patient, yes. Oral appliance therapy is an effective, comfortable option for mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, and for patients who cannot tolerate a CPAP machine. It is silent, portable, easy to travel with, and requires no electricity or hoses — which is why many patients find they actually use it every night.

What are the warning signs of sleep apnea?

Common signs include loud chronic snoring; gasping, choking, or pauses in breathing during sleep; excessive daytime sleepiness despite a full night in bed; morning headaches or a dry, sore throat; difficulty concentrating or irritability; frequent nighttime waking; and teeth grinding. Left untreated, sleep apnea is linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

Do I need a sleep study before getting an oral appliance?

Yes. Obstructive sleep apnea is a medical condition that requires a definitive diagnosis through a sleep study, ordered by your physician or a sleep specialist. We screen for warning signs at your dental visits, coordinate the referral, and once you are diagnosed, we design and fit the custom appliance and monitor how well it is working.

Sleep Apnea & Oral Appliances