Snoring is caused by vibration of relaxed airway tissue during sleep — and in most cases, a custom-fit oral appliance that gently repositions the jaw can dramatically reduce or eliminate it. Before treating snoring, we also screen for sleep apnea — because snoring is one of its most common signs.
Primary snoring — snoring without apnea episodes — is disruptive but not medically dangerous. Obstructive sleep apnea — where the airway collapses completely, stopping breathing — is a serious health condition that also causes snoring. Because the two can be clinically indistinguishable from the outside, we screen every snoring patient for sleep apnea before recommending treatment.
We do not fabricate a snoring appliance without first assessing for sleep apnea risk. Low-risk patients proceed directly to snoring treatment. Higher-risk patients are referred for a home sleep test first. If sleep apnea is confirmed, the same appliance treats both conditions — as a medically covered sleep apnea treatment rather than a snoring device.
Snoring is caused by relaxation of soft tissue in the throat — the tongue, soft palate, and uvula — vibrating as air passes through a narrowed airway. When the lower jaw relaxes back during sleep, it narrows the airway further. A mandibular advancement device holds the lower jaw slightly forward, keeping the airway open and preventing the tissue vibration that causes snoring.
This is why custom-fit appliances from Bluffside Smiles are significantly more effective than over-the-counter devices. An OTC device can’t be calibrated to your specific jaw anatomy — it either doesn’t advance enough to stop the snoring or advances too far, causing jaw soreness. Dr. Giannelli’s custom-fitted, lab-fabricated appliance is titrated to find exactly the jaw position that eliminates snoring while remaining comfortable to wear all night.
Precision-fit to your bite
Titrated to optimal jaw position
Custom mandibular advancement device
Much better than OTC devices
We always screen for sleep apnea before treating snoring — because treating snoring while missing undiagnosed sleep apnea is a patient safety failure we take seriously.
Our appliances are laboratory-fabricated and precisely fitted — not an over-the-counter boil-and-bite. The difference in comfort and effectiveness is significant.
If screening reveals sleep apnea, the same appliance becomes a medically covered sleep apnea treatment — we transition seamlessly without starting over.
We review snoring history, symptoms, and sleep apnea risk factors. Low-risk patients proceed directly to appliance; higher-risk patients are referred for a home sleep test first.
Digital scans or impressions taken. A precision-fit mandibular advancement device fabricated in a dental laboratory — custom to your bite for maximum comfort and effectiveness.
Appliance adjusted over follow-up appointments to find the jaw position that eliminates snoring while remaining comfortable throughout the night.
Annual check-ups to assess appliance condition and comfort. Partner feedback is a useful effectiveness measure — we ask about it at follow-ups.
My husband's snoring had us sleeping in separate rooms for two years. He finally got a custom appliance here and the first night was almost silent. We're back in the same room. This sounds small but it changed our marriage.
I thought I just snored. They screened me for sleep apnea and found moderate OSA I had no idea about. The same appliance that treats the snoring treats the apnea — and it's covered by my medical insurance. Couldn't have predicted that outcome.
Not always — but we screen every snoring patient for sleep apnea risk before proceeding. Low-risk patients can proceed directly to a snoring appliance. Patients with sleep apnea risk factors are referred for a home sleep test first. If sleep apnea is found, the treatment becomes medically covered.
OTC mandibular advancement devices can provide some benefit — but poor fit leads to reduced effectiveness and poor compliance. A custom-fit device precisely calibrated to your jaw and bite is significantly more comfortable to wear through the night and more effective at maintaining the jaw position that prevents snoring.
Most patients adapt within 1–2 weeks. Initial awareness of the appliance during the first few nights is normal. The titration process ensures we find a jaw position that is both effective and comfortable — we don’t stop adjusting until you’re sleeping well with it in.
Snoring without a sleep apnea diagnosis is typically not covered by medical or dental insurance. However, if screening reveals sleep apnea, the oral appliance becomes a covered sleep apnea treatment. This is why screening first benefits you financially as well as medically.
If screening reveals sleep apnea — the same appliance treats it as a medically covered condition.
For patients with diagnosed sleep apnea who can't tolerate CPAP — oral appliance is the recommended alternative.
Jaw positioning appliances for snoring and TMJ share overlapping design principles — we assess for both when indicated.
Schedule your snoring evaluation at Bluffside Smiles Dental in La Crosse — and sleep better, starting soon.