Obstructive sleep apnea — where the airway collapses repeatedly during sleep — is one of the most underdiagnosed conditions in adults. A custom-fit oral appliance gently repositions the lower jaw during sleep to keep the airway open, delivering effective treatment in a form many patients dramatically prefer over CPAP.
Obstructive sleep apnea causes repeated oxygen deprivation throughout the night — sometimes hundreds of times. Each episode triggers a stress response that affects the heart, blood vessels, metabolism, and brain. The snoring is the symptom. The oxygen deprivation is the problem.
Oral appliance therapy is FDA-cleared and recommended by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine as a first-line treatment for mild to moderate OSA, and as an alternative for severe OSA patients who cannot tolerate CPAP. A sleep study is required to confirm the diagnosis and severity before Dr. Giannelli fabricates an appliance.
Oral appliance therapy for sleep apnea is a medical benefit — we bill medical insurance, not dental. We navigate pre-authorization and work to maximize your coverage.
We coordinate with your sleep physician or pulmonologist throughout — sharing records, communicating treatment progress, and confirming efficacy with follow-up sleep testing.
Sleep apnea is a chronic condition — we provide annual appliance checks, replacement when needed, and ongoing monitoring of your airway health over time.
I was prescribed CPAP and lasted three weeks before I gave up. My sleep physician referred me here for an oral appliance. I've worn it every night for two years. My follow-up sleep study showed my AHI dropped from 28 to 3. Life changing.
My wife had been telling me I stopped breathing in my sleep for years. I finally got a home sleep test through this office, got diagnosed with moderate OSA, and now wear a small appliance. I wake up rested for the first time in a decade.
I had no idea my jaw pain and constant fatigue were connected. Dr. Giannelli connected the dots and treated both. Genuinely life-changing.
The whole team at Bluffside Smiles made me feel at home from day one. Dr. Giannelli is thorough, kind, and genuinely listens. Best dental experience I’ve ever had.
Yes — a confirmed sleep apnea diagnosis via polysomnogram or home sleep test is required before fabricating an oral appliance. This is both medically appropriate and necessary for medical insurance coverage. We can coordinate a home sleep test referral if you haven’t been tested.
For mild to moderate OSA, oral appliance therapy achieves comparable outcomes to CPAP in most patients — and significantly better real-world outcomes when CPAP compliance is factored in. An effective treatment that is used is better than an effective treatment that sits on the nightstand. For severe OSA, CPAP remains the gold standard when tolerated.
Yes — most medical insurance plans, including Medicare, cover oral appliance therapy for diagnosed sleep apnea. This is a medical benefit, not a dental benefit. Coverage typically requires a confirmed diagnosis and pre-authorization. We handle the insurance process on your behalf.
Long-term use of mandibular advancement devices can cause minor tooth movement or bite changes in some patients — a known side effect we monitor carefully. Morning jaw exercises and regular follow-up appointments help manage this. The benefits of treating sleep apnea significantly outweigh the risk of minor bite changes for most patients.
Snoring without diagnosed sleep apnea — oral appliance therapy is highly effective for primary snoring.
For patients with diagnosed sleep apnea who can't tolerate CPAP — oral appliance is the recommended alternative.
TMJ disorders and sleep apnea frequently coexist — both assessed and addressed in a coordinated treatment plan.
Schedule your sleep apnea consultation at Bluffside Smiles Dental in La Crosse.