Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) involves repeated episodes of the airway collapsing during sleep, cutting off oxygen flow and forcing dozens or even hundreds of nightly arousals. At Smile Craft Dental, Dr. Janice Chou and Dr. Brendon Nguyen offer oral appliance therapy as part of our comprehensive care in Sunnyvale — a non-invasive, custom-fitted alternative for patients with mild to moderate OSA.
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Most people associate sleep apnea with snoring — an annoyance that disrupts a partner’s rest but seems otherwise harmless. The reality is considerably more serious. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) involves repeated episodes of the airway collapsing during sleep, cutting off oxygen flow and forcing the brain to rouse the body just enough to reopen it. This cycle can occur dozens or even hundreds of times per night, and because most of these arousals happen below the threshold of full wakefulness, many people have no idea it is happening. What they do notice are the downstream effects: crushing daytime fatigue, difficulty concentrating, morning headaches, and, over time, an elevated risk of serious cardiovascular and metabolic conditions.
A patient-centered, whole-health approach — because sleep health often starts in the mouth.
Oral appliance therapy offers real, evidence-backed advantages for patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recognizes oral appliance therapy as a first-line treatment for mild to moderate OSA, and as an alternative for severe OSA patients who cannot tolerate CPAP.
We use our 3D dental scans in Sunnyvale to capture precise measurements of your jaw, bite, and airway anatomy, designing an appliance built around your specific anatomy.
A 2023 systematic review published through the National Institutes of Health found mandibular advancement devices sustain long-term efficacy in reducing the apnea-hypopnea index and improving sleep outcomes.
Follow-up appointments let us adjust the degree of jaw advancement based on your comfort and how your symptoms respond — a critical part of achieving the best outcome.
We review your sleep study results and collaborate with your sleep physician throughout treatment to ensure progress is tracked and adjustments are made with the full picture in mind.
Oral appliances are smaller, quieter, and easier to travel with than a CPAP machine and mask — advantages that often lead to higher patient compliance and more consistent treatment results.
Not sure if oral appliance therapy is right for you? Our Sunnyvale team can help you explore dental treatment options that fit your life.
Getting started with oral appliance therapy begins with a thorough evaluation. We review your sleep study results or, if you have not yet been diagnosed, help guide you toward the appropriate medical evaluation. Sleep apnea diagnosis requires a sleep study conducted by or under the supervision of a physician — our role as your dental provider is to collaborate with that medical team and provide the custom appliance component of treatment.
Here is what you need to know about getting started with oral appliance therapy.
We review your sleep study results or, if you have not yet been diagnosed, help guide you toward the appropriate medical evaluation — sleep apnea diagnosis requires a sleep study conducted by or under the supervision of a physician.
Once oral appliance therapy is confirmed as appropriate, we use our 3D dental scans in Sunnyvale to capture precise measurements of your jaw, bite, and airway anatomy and design an appliance built around your specific anatomy.
Your appliance is fabricated to gradually advance the lower jaw to an optimal therapeutic position.
Most patients adapt to wearing the appliance within a few weeks. Follow-up appointments let us adjust the degree of advancement based on your comfort and how your symptoms are responding.
We coordinate with your sleep physician throughout treatment to ensure progress is tracked and any adjustments are made with the full picture in mind.
Oral appliances for sleep apnea are typically covered under medical insurance rather than dental insurance. Our Sunnyvale team can help you navigate prior authorization requirements, and we accept most major insurance plans with flexible payment options available. Call (650) 822-0803 to schedule your consultation.
Most patients adapt to wearing their oral appliance within a few weeks, and follow-up appointments allow us to adjust the degree of jaw advancement based on your comfort and how your symptoms are responding. This titration process is a critical part of achieving the best outcome, and we coordinate with your sleep physician throughout to ensure progress is tracked and any adjustments are made with the full picture in mind.
Teeth grinding (bruxism) is significantly more common in people with sleep apnea, and jaw joint discomfort or TMJ/TMD symptoms can also be connected to sleep-disordered breathing. Our night guards, airway orthodontics, sedation dentistry, and routine dental checkups in Sunnyvale all play a role in supporting your sleep health alongside oral appliance therapy.
Both treat sleep apnea — here's how oral appliance therapy and CPAP compare.
| Factor | Oral Appliance Therapy | CPAP |
|---|---|---|
| How It Works | Custom-fitted device that repositions the jaw and tongue to keep the airway open | Delivers pressurized air through a mask to keep the airway open |
| Size & Portability | Small, discreet, and easy to travel with | Requires a machine, tubing, and mask |
| Comfort | No mask or machine noise | Some patients experience mask discomfort or claustrophobia |
| Patient Compliance | Often higher due to ease of use | Can be lower when patients struggle with consistent nightly use |
| Best For | Mild to moderate OSA, or severe OSA patients who cannot tolerate CPAP | Moderate to severe OSA |
Dr. Chou and our Sunnyvale team bring careful, patient-centered attention to every patient's sleep health.
Dr. Janice Chou, DDS · Lead Dentist, Smile Craft Dental Sunnyvale. A Bay Area native and graduate of the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, Dr. Chou brings deep clinical expertise and an ongoing commitment to continuing education to every patient she treats. Dr. Nguyen shares that same dedication, having spent years providing essential dental care to underserved Bay Area communities before joining our team. Together, they coordinate with your sleep physician throughout treatment, and our team is proud to offer Spanish-speaking staff for patients who are more comfortable communicating in their native language.
See what patients say about their experience at Smile Craft Dental.
Answers to the questions patients ask most about sleep apnea treatment in Sunnyvale.
When sleep apnea affects your rest and your health, choosing the right dental team makes all the difference. We accept most major insurance plans and offer payment options to make necessary care accessible, with Spanish-speaking staff available to assist patients who prefer communicating in Spanish. Contact us to schedule your sleep apnea consultation in Sunnyvale.
Sunnyvale, CA
Serving the South Bay and surrounding communities