Waking up exhausted after a full night’s sleep is more than an inconvenience for many Huntington Beach residents. It can be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition that disrupts breathing throughout the night and leaves the body and mind running on empty the next day.
At Newport Beach Dental Center, we understand how disruptive untreated OSA can be to daily life along the coast, from early morning surf sessions near the Huntington Beach Pier to the long workdays that follow. Dr. Laura Sharbash, DDS, FAGD, D.ABDSM, is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine, giving patients in Huntington Beach access to advanced training in appliance-based therapy without needing to drive far from home.
Huntington Beach residents who suspect they have obstructive sleep apnea often wonder why a dentist would be involved in treating what feels like a medical condition. The airway collapse in OSA happens in the throat, and because the lower jaw and tongue influence how much space that airway has, a dentist trained in dental sleep medicine is well positioned to provide a custom-fitted solution.
Obstructive sleep apnea is diagnosed by a physician, and a qualified dentist can then provide a custom oral appliance as part of obstructive sleep apnea treatment. Dr. Sharbash’s training allows her to evaluate jaw position and bite alignment together, rather than treating obstructive sleep apnea as an isolated issue.
Some people who are prescribed a CPAP machine struggle to keep using it consistently. Between the noise, the mask discomfort, and the tangle of tubing, plenty of people find themselves leaving the machine in its box more nights than not. That inconsistency matters, because a treatment that isn’t used regularly can’t do much to protect long-term health.
Oral appliance therapy offers Huntington Beach patients a smaller, quieter path to better sleep. The custom-fitted device resembles a sports mouthguard and works by gently repositioning the jaw to keep the airway open throughout the night. According to a 2023 review in the European Respiratory Review, CPAP remains the gold standard for nonsurgical OSA treatment, while oral appliance therapy is the recognized alternative.
Many people find it easier to stick with treatment when the device travels easily and requires no electricity, tubing, or mask. That portability is ideal for Huntington Beach residents who travel for work, camp near the coast, or simply want a lower-maintenance option before bed.
Comparing the two options side by side can help you decide which treatment fits your lifestyle, and we explain the differences between oral appliance therapy and CPAP treatment during your consultation.
Obstructive sleep apnea rarely announces itself clearly, which is part of why it can go unrecognized. Loud, irregular snoring is often the first clue a partner notices, but it is not the only one. Consider whether any of these signs sound familiar:
These signs can all point back to a night of fragmented sleep, and we encourage anyone experiencing them to consider a professional evaluation before the effects compound. According to a 2025 systematic review in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, OSA is associated with hypertension, increased cardiovascular risk, and traffic accidents. You can read more about the risks of ignoring obstructive sleep apnea symptoms, and recognizing the warning signs early gives you more options.
If you are coming from Huntington Beach, whether from the neighborhoods near Main Street or closer to Pacific City and the SoBeCa District, dental sleep medicine is worth seeking out from a dentist with dedicated training. Dr. Sharbash’s status as a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine is one of the advanced certifications she holds alongside her Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry.
We take a conservative, biomimetic approach to every aspect of care, looking for the least invasive path to a healthy result before considering anything more aggressive. For anyone weighing a custom oral appliance against an over-the-counter boil-and-bite device, the difference is fit: a custom device is made from your own dental impressions or scan and can be adjusted, while a generic fit may not hold the jaw in the right position overnight.
Getting to our office from Huntington Beach is a short drive down the coast via Pacific Coast Highway or the 405, making consistent follow-up appointments easier to keep. That accessibility matters for oral appliance therapy in particular, because follow-up visits to check fit and comfort can make the difference between an appliance that gets worn nightly and one that ends up collecting dust in a drawer.
Better sleep starts with identifying what is actually happening in the airway, and that requires an evaluation from someone trained in dental sleep medicine. At Newport Beach Dental Center, we welcome residents from Huntington Beach who are ready to explore a treatment option that fits into daily life rather than working against it.
To learn more about Dr. Sharbash’s background in dental sleep medicine, read what to expect from an obstructive sleep apnea consultation. When you are ready to find out whether oral appliance therapy is right for your symptoms, please contact our office to schedule a consultation.
Achieve your dream smile with cosmetic dentistry and flexible financing that makes transformation affordable.
The right cosmetic treatment depends on what you want to change, how much natural tooth structure you want to preserve, and your timeline. During your consultation, Dr. Sharbash evaluates your teeth and gum health, discusses your goals, and walks through the options that make sense for your specific situation — without recommending more than what’s needed. For Huntington Beach patients who also need restorative work alongside cosmetic treatment, visit our restorative dentistry in Huntington Beach page. To explore dental implants, see dental implants in Huntington Beach. Ready to schedule a cosmetic consultation? Contact Newport Beach Dental Center to book your appointment.
Newport Beach Dental Center offers porcelain veneers, Bioclear bonding, professional teeth whitening, Botox for cosmetic and therapeutic applications, and clear aligners with ProMonitoring technology. Dr. Sharbash recommends the least invasive option that achieves the desired result.
Porcelain veneers are custom-crafted shells bonded to the front of your teeth to address discoloration, chips, gaps, and misalignment. Bioclear reshapes teeth and closes gaps without removing healthy tooth structure. Dr. Sharbash recommends Bioclear when it can achieve a comparable result to veneers with less impact on natural enamel.
Newport Beach Dental Center is approximately 15 to 25 minutes from Huntington Beach via the 405 Freeway or Pacific Coast Highway depending on traffic. The practice offers flexible scheduling for Huntington Beach patients including working professionals and families.
Cosmetic procedures are typically not covered by dental insurance, though some treatments with a restorative component may receive partial coverage. Newport Beach Dental Center offers CareCredit and Cherry financing with flexible monthly payment options. The team reviews your coverage before any treatment begins.
Dr. Sharbash conducts a thorough evaluation of your teeth, gum health, and bite before recommending any cosmetic treatment. She discusses your goals and walks through all viable options, prioritizing the least invasive approach. You can schedule a consultation by contacting Newport Beach Dental Center directly.
Don’t let dental anxiety prevent you from getting the care you need. Schedule a sedation dentistry consultation with Dr. Sharbash today.
