Sleep Apnea Treatment & Snore Guards in Salt Lake City

Why Choose an Oral Appliance for Sleep Apnea

An oral appliance for sleep apnea is a small, custom-fitted device you wear while you sleep. It works by gently repositioning your lower jaw forward, helping keep your airway open throughout the night. For many patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea — or those who simply cannot tolerate a CPAP — an oral appliance offers a quieter, more comfortable path to better rest.

Benefits Over CPAP Therapy

CPAP machines are effective, but many patients find the mask uncomfortable, the noise disruptive, or the maintenance frustrating. A custom oral appliance is compact, silent, and easy to travel with. There are no hoses, no electricity required, and no nightly setup. Most patients adjust quickly and find it far easier to use consistently — and consistent use is what makes treatment effective.

Custom Sleep Apnea Mouth Guard vs. Over-the-Counter Options

Over-the-counter snoring mouthpieces may seem convenient, but they use a generic fit that can cause jaw pain, tooth shifting, or simply fail to hold your airway open properly. A custom sleep apnea mouth guard from a qualified dentist is fabricated from precise impressions of your teeth, ensuring a secure and comfortable fit that is calibrated to your specific needs. The difference in comfort, durability, and effectiveness is significant.

Who Is a Candidate for a Dental Sleep Apnea Appliance

Oral appliance therapy is generally recommended for patients with a confirmed diagnosis of mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, or for patients with severe sleep apnea who cannot tolerate CPAP. A diagnosis from a physician or sleep specialist — typically through a sleep study — is required before an appliance can be fabricated. Dr. Stoker can screen for common signs during your visit and coordinate with your doctor to determine whether a dental appliance is the right fit for you.

What to Expect During Your Sleep Apnea Consultation

Your visit begins with a thorough evaluation. Dr. Stoker will review your symptoms, medical history, and any existing sleep study results. He will examine your jaw, teeth, and airway to assess whether oral appliance therapy is appropriate — and he will be straightforward if a different approach may serve you better.

Fitting and Adjusting Your Oral Appliance

If you are a good candidate, we take detailed impressions of your teeth to create a custom-fitted device right here in our office. Once your appliance is ready, you will return for a fitting appointment where Dr. Stoker ensures the device is comfortable and positioned correctly. Follow-up adjustments are common and help fine-tune the appliance for the best possible result.

Sleep Apnea Treatment vs. Bruxism Treatment

Sleep apnea appliances and bruxism night guards may look similar, but they serve very different purposes. A sleep apnea appliance repositions the jaw to open the airway, while a bruxism guard is designed to protect teeth from grinding and clenching. Some patients deal with both conditions, and Dr. Stoker can help determine whether you need one device or two. If you are unsure which type of guard is right for you, learn more about our occlusal and sports guards or schedule a consultation to discuss your symptoms.

As your sleep apnea dentist salt lake city resource, we evaluate every patient individually as part of our general and preventive care approach — because the right solution depends on an accurate understanding of what is actually going on.