If you spend your days powering through meetings at Irvine Spectrum or teaching a full course load at UCI, chances are you have already tried every trick in the book to feel more rested. Loud snoring, morning headaches, and daytime fog are easy to blame on a busy schedule, but they are often signs of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition that goes far beyond simply feeling tired.
At Newport Beach Dental Center, Dr. Laura Sharbash, DDS, FAGD, D.ABDSM, brings advanced training as a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine to patients throughout Irvine. This credential reflects specialized education in diagnosing airway issues and designing oral appliances that fit each patient’s anatomy, giving Irvine residents a trusted local option for OSA care that goes beyond a standard dental visit.
OSA occurs when the muscles in the throat relax during sleep, allowing soft tissue to collapse and block the airway. Each blockage forces the body to briefly wake up to resume breathing, often dozens of times a night without the sleeper ever knowing it happened. Over time, this cycle robs the body of restorative sleep and places ongoing strain on the heart and brain.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, roughly a third of adults with symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea actually seek an evaluation from a health care provider, which means a large share of cases go unaddressed. Left untreated, OSA has been linked to high blood pressure, memory problems, and a higher risk of drowsy driving accidents, all of which matter for anyone navigating the daily commute along Jamboree Road or the 405.
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Irvine’s population of researchers, engineers, and graduate students tends to be sleep-conscious, and many patients arrive at our office already aware that something is off. A partner mentioning loud snoring, a wearable device flagging low oxygen levels overnight, or a string of unproductive afternoons at the office can all be early clues. We encourage anyone noticing these patterns to read more about what obstructive sleep apnea actually looks like so they know what to watch for before symptoms progress.
Since so many Irvine patients work in demanding, focus-heavy careers, the cognitive effects of fragmented sleep can be just as disruptive as the physical ones. We often see this show up as difficulty concentrating during long design reviews or lectures, along with a reliance on caffeine that only masks the underlying problem. Our team also shares practical guidance on building better sleep hygiene habits that can complement any treatment plan we put together.
For many patients, a CPAP machine feels cumbersome, noisy, or simply hard to keep using every night. Dr. Sharbash offers custom oral appliance therapy, a small, removable device worn during sleep that gently repositions the jaw to keep the airway open. Since the appliance is fitted specifically to each patient’s mouth, it tends to be easier to travel with and adjust to than a full mask and hose setup.
Patients considering their options often want a clearer picture of how the two treatments actually compare day to day, and we detail those differences in our oral appliance versus CPAP treatment guide. Dr. Sharbash’s D.ABDSM training means she is well-versed in when an appliance is the right primary treatment and when it works best alongside other therapies, so Irvine patients are not left guessing about which option makes sense for them.
A first visit for suspected OSA starts with a conversation about symptoms, sleep patterns, and any prior testing, followed by a clinical exam of the jaw, airway, and bite. If a formal sleep study has not already been completed, we help coordinate that step so a diagnosis can be confirmed before any appliance is fitted. From there, Dr. Sharbash designs and adjusts the device over a series of short visits until it fits comfortably and effectively.
We know that walking into a first appointment without knowing what happens can feel intimidating, which is why we put together a breakdown of what to expect at your first sleep apnea consultation. Patients driving in from around the Great Park area or Irvine Spectrum often appreciate knowing the visit is simple and focused on getting real answers rather than a lengthy runaround.
OSA rarely improves without a comprehensive dentist for sleep apnea treatment near Irvine, CA, but with the right team in place, treatment does not need to be complicated. Dr. Sharbash’s background as a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine gives Irvine patients access to a level of training that many general dental offices simply do not provide, paired with the practical, custom-fit approach oral appliance therapy requires.
If snoring, morning headaches, or persistent daytime fatigue have been part of your routine for too long, Dr. Sharbash and our team can give you a better sense of the approach we use before your visit. When you are ready to talk through your symptoms and find out if oral appliance therapy is right for you, contact our office to schedule a sleep apnea consultation.
Don’t let dental anxiety prevent you from getting the care you need. Schedule a sedation dentistry consultation with Dr. Sharbash today.
