Snoring and Sleep Apnea Treatment in Manhasset
Do you wake up and feel as tired as before you went to sleep? Has your sleep partner complained about snoring? If you answered yes, you may be one of the 12 million people in the U.S. suffering from sleep apnea. Often characterized by symptoms such as daytime tiredness, snoring, and irritability, sleep apnea can wreck your quality of life and lead to serious health concerns.
Sleep apnea falls into two categories: central sleep apnea, which occurs when the brain fails to signal breathing, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the most common type. With OSA, the soft palate blocks the airway and breathing stops for up to 10 seconds, causing the individual to wake up and breathe. These intervals may happen 20 to 30 times a night, disrupting the sleep cycle. Dental treatment, including oral appliances, is used specifically for obstructive sleep apnea; central sleep apnea requires a different treatment approach through your physician.
Snoring and sleep apnea can lead to:
- Feelings of depression
- Increased risk of high blood pressure and stroke
- Memory loss
- Reduced productivity
- Weight gain
To determine if your snoring relates to sleep apnea, Dr. Feintuch may suggest a sleep study. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, Dr. Feintuch can review treatment options. The CPAP mask is seen as the gold standard for sleep apnea sufferers, but many people find it restrictive and uncomfortable. Dr. Feintuch can fit you for a night guard, which holds the lower jaw in the correct position, reducing the chances of airway blockage.
How Sleep Apnea Is Diagnosed and Treated
- Sleep study — to confirm whether your snoring relates to sleep apnea, Dr. Feintuch may recommend a sleep study, done at a sleep center or with an at-home test.
- Diagnosis and physician collaboration — once a diagnosis is confirmed, Dr. Feintuch works alongside your physician to determine the right treatment approach for you.
- Treatment options reviewed — the CPAP mask is considered the gold standard for sleep apnea, but many patients find it restrictive or uncomfortable.
- Custom oral appliance fitted — for eligible patients, Dr. Feintuch can fit a custom oral appliance that holds the lower jaw in the correct position, reducing airway blockage during sleep.
Oral appliance therapy is FDA-cleared for treating mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea and snoring, and many patients who can’t tolerate CPAP find it a far more comfortable long-term solution. If you also experience jaw pain, headaches, or teeth grinding, it’s worth mentioning to Dr. Feintuch, these symptoms can sometimes overlap with TMJ and bruxism, which may call for a related but different type of oral appliance.
Oral Appliance vs. CPAP: Which Is Right for You?
| Feature | Oral Appliance | CPAP Machine |
|---|---|---|
| How It Works | Repositions the lower jaw to keep the airway open | Delivers pressurized air through a mask |
| Comfort | Small, worn like a mouthguard | Can feel bulky or restrictive |
| Travel-Friendly | Yes, easy to pack and use anywhere | Requires equipment and often a power source |
| Best For | Mild to moderate OSA, or CPAP-intolerant patients | Moderate to severe OSA |
Both are effective, FDA-recognized treatments for obstructive sleep apnea. Many patients who struggle with CPAP compliance find a custom oral appliance easier to wear consistently, which matters, since a treatment only helps if you actually use it every night.
Is Oral Appliance Therapy Covered by Insurance?
Here’s something that surprises a lot of patients: a custom oral appliance for sleep apnea is typically billed through your medical insurance, not your dental insurance, since sleep apnea is classified as a medical condition. Most major medical insurance plans, including Medicare, cover oral appliance therapy when it’s medically necessary, prescribed following a diagnosed sleep study, and fitted by a qualified provider.
Out-of-pocket, a custom oral appliance generally runs $1,800 to $3,500 depending on the device and your specific case. We’ll help verify your medical insurance benefits and walk you through what to expect before you commit to treatment.
A Comfortable Night’s Sleep, Close to Home in Manhasset
Between early train departures from Manhasset station and long days that don’t leave much room to feel exhausted, poor sleep affects more than just how you feel at night. If a partner has mentioned your snoring, or you’ve tried CPAP and just can’t make it work, a custom oral appliance may be a more comfortable path forward. We also see patients from Munsey Park, Plandome, Flower Hill, North Hills, and Port Washington who’d rather work with a dentist they already know than start from scratch with an unfamiliar sleep specialist.
Frequency Ask Question
How do I know if my snoring is actually sleep apnea?
Loud, frequent snoring combined with daytime fatigue, morning headaches, or waking up gasping for air are common signs. Only a sleep study can confirm a diagnosis, so if these sound familiar, it’s worth getting evaluated.
Is an oral appliance as effective as a CPAP machine?
For mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, oral appliances are an effective, FDA-recognized alternative to CPAP. For more severe cases, CPAP is often still recommended, and we’ll help you understand which option fits your diagnosis.
Does insurance cover a sleep apnea oral appliance?
Often, yes. Because sleep apnea is a medical condition, oral appliance therapy is typically billed through medical insurance, not dental insurance, and many plans, including Medicare, cover it when medically necessary.
Do I need a sleep study before getting an oral appliance?
Yes. A confirmed diagnosis from a sleep study is required before an oral appliance can be prescribed and, in most cases, before insurance will cover it.
Can an oral appliance help with snoring even if I don’t have sleep apnea?
Yes. Custom oral appliances can reduce or eliminate snoring caused by soft tissue or airway obstruction, even in patients who don’t meet the clinical criteria for sleep apnea.
Will I need to see a sleep physician as well as a dentist?
Yes. Diagnosis and ongoing medical oversight come from a physician or sleep specialist, while a dentist trained in dental sleep medicine designs, fits, and adjusts the oral appliance itself. Dr. Feintuch coordinates with your physician throughout treatment.
Tired of feeling exhausted, or tired of hearing about your snoring? Schedule a consultation or call 516-265-7005 to talk with Dr. Feintuch about whether oral appliance therapy is right for you.
