Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a serious sleep disorder that causes interruptions in breathing due to airway blockages, leading to significant long-term health risks. Unlike ordinary snoring, sleep apnea is a medical condition that requires proper diagnosis and treatment by a qualified Newport Beach dentist.
Nearly 54 million adults in the U.S. have obstructive sleep apnea, a chronic breathing disorder where a person suffers from interrupted breathing while they sleep. These breathing interruptions occur when throat muscles, tongue, tonsils, or soft palate relax, blocking the airway and preventing proper breathing. This can cause you to stop breathing hundreds of times per night, with episodes lasting from a few seconds to over a minute, resulting in severe drops in blood oxygen levels.
If you’re experiencing several of these symptoms, it’s essential to seek professional evaluation, if as untreated sleep apnea can lead to serious health complications.
Untreated obstructive sleep apnea poses significant risks to your overall health and well-being that extend far beyond poor sleep quality. The repeated drops in your blood oxygen levels and fragmented sleep can take a serious toll on your body over time.
Obstructive sleep apnea places immense strain on your heart and vascular system. Each sudden drop in your oxygen level can raise your blood pressure and stress your cardiovascular system. This can cause hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart attacks, and strokes. Research indicates that people with severe, untreated obstructive sleep apnea are 2-3 times more likely to experience cardiovascular events compared to those without the condition.
When OSA disrupts your normal sleep patterns, it can interfere with your body’s natural metabolic processes. This can result in insulin resistance, which may contribute to type 2 diabetes or make existing diabetes more difficult to manage. Additionally, OSA is linked to liver problems, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, which can develop into more serious liver conditions if left untreated.
The chronic oxygen deprivation and sleep fragmentation associated with obstructive sleep apnea can greatly impact your brain function. This may manifest as:
For older adults, untreated OSA can speed up cognitive decline and raise the risk of dementia related conditions.
Sleep apnea is diagnosed through comprehensive sleep evaluation performed by a qualified sleep physician. At Newport Beach Dental Center, we work closely with sleep specialists to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment planning.
At Newport Beach Dental Center, we believe in providing personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s specific needs. Our team, led by Laura Sharbash, DDS, FAGD, D.ABDSM, offers several effective treatment options:
Our primary treatment approach involves custom-fitted oral appliances designed specifically for sleep apnea and snoring. These comfortable devices work by:
Unlike CPAP machines, oral appliances are:
We provide several types of FDA-approved oral appliances, each with unique benefits:
In addition to oral appliance therapy, we may recommend:
Our experienced Newport Beach sleep apnea specialist Laura Sharbash, DDS, FAGD, D.ABDSM, brings extensive training and experience in dental sleep medicine. As an active member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM), Dr. Sharbash stays at the forefront of sleep apnea treatment advances.
Our team works collaboratively with sleep physicians, ENT specialists, and other healthcare providers to ensure comprehensive care for our patients with sleep-related breathing disorders.
We understand that every patient is unique. That’s why we:
Many medical insurance plans cover oral appliance therapy for sleep apnea. Our knowledgeable staff will help you navigate insurance requirements and maximize your benefits. We work with numerous insurance providers and can assist with necessary documentation for coverage.
“Dr. Laura Sharbash is incredible! She is so thorough and informative, and lets you know every step of the way what’s going on so there are no surprises.” – Dalia Soliman
“Dr Laura is phenomenal. She is a true expert and will make you feel at ease. Her staff is also friendly and knowledgeable.” – Ghada Alajeely
Don’t let sleep apnea continue to affect your quality of life and put your health at risk. Our Newport Beach dental team is committed to helping you achieve restful, healthy sleep through effective, comfortable treatment options.
Take our quick assessment to determine if you might be at risk for sleep apnea:
If you answered “yes” to three or more questions, you may be at high risk for sleep apnea and should schedule a consultation.
Those suffering from obstructive sleep apnea who remain untreated can experience significant health repercussions. Don’t wait to address this serious condition.
Call us today at 949-649-7564 or use our contact form to take the first step toward better sleep and improved health.
Newport Beach Dental Center is located in Newport Beach, CA, providing comprehensive dental care including specialized treatment for sleep-related breathing disorders.
If you snore loudly, wake up gasping for air, experience excessive daytime sleepiness, or your partner notices you stop breathing during sleep, it’s time to consider a sleep study. These symptoms don’t automatically mean you have sleep apnea, but they’re worth investigating.
During a sleep study, your breathing patterns, oxygen levels, heart rate, and body movements are monitored while you sleep. You have two options: an at-home sleep test, where you wear monitoring equipment in the comfort of your own bed, or an in-lab study, where technicians monitor you overnight in a sleep laboratory. The at-home option is more convenient, but the in-lab study provides more comprehensive data. Either way, the process is painless—it just means wearing some sensors while you sleep. Dr. Sharbash works closely with sleep physicians to arrange these studies and interpret the results.
Absolutely! While the diagnosis of sleep apnea must come from a medical doctor (typically a sleep physician), dentists with specialized training like Dr. Sharbash play a crucial role in treatment. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recognizes oral appliance therapy as a first-line treatment for mild to moderate sleep apnea and an alternative option for patients who can’t tolerate CPAP.
Dr. Sharbash’s Diplomate status with the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine (D.ABDSM) represents the highest level of credentialing in dental sleep medicine. This means she has undergone rigorous training and examination specifically in managing sleep-related breathing disorders. We work collaboratively with sleep physicians, ensuring you receive comprehensive care that addresses both the medical and dental aspects of your condition.
Both CPAP machines and oral appliances effectively treat sleep apnea, but they work differently and have distinct advantages:
CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machines use air pressure delivered through a mask to keep your airway open. They’re highly effective, especially for severe sleep apnea, but come with challenges—many patients find the mask uncomfortable, the machine noisy, or the equipment cumbersome for travel.
Oral appliances are custom-fitted devices that reposition your jaw and tongue to maintain an open airway while you sleep. They’re silent, portable, comfortable, and don’t require electricity—making them ideal for travel and more discreet than CPAP.
Research shows that while CPAP may be slightly more effective at reducing breathing disruptions, oral appliances often achieve better overall treatment results because patients actually use them consistently. The best treatment is the one you’ll actually use night after night!
Good news! Most medical insurance plans (not dental insurance) provide coverage for oral appliances when used to treat diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea. This is because sleep apnea is recognized as a medical condition, regardless of whether the treatment comes from a medical doctor or a qualified dentist.
Coverage typically requires a few key elements: a diagnosis of sleep apnea from a sleep study, a prescription for oral appliance therapy from a physician, and treatment from a qualified provider like Dr. Sharbash. Our team has extensive experience navigating insurance requirements and will help you understand your coverage, obtain necessary pre-authorizations, and submit the proper documentation. We work with numerous insurance providers and can often verify your benefits before treatment begins.
Most patients adapt to their sleep apnea oral appliance within 1-2 weeks. The first few nights might feel a bit strange—after all, you’re introducing something new to your sleep routine. You might experience minor jaw soreness, temporary changes in your bite upon waking, or increased salivation. These adjustment symptoms typically resolve quickly as your body adapts.
To ease the transition, we recommend wearing your appliance for short periods before bedtime during the first few days. This helps your mouth get accustomed to the device while you’re still awake. We also provide detailed care instructions and schedule follow-up appointments to make any necessary adjustments for optimal comfort. The good news? About 90% of patients successfully adapt to their oral appliances and experience significant improvements in their sleep quality, daytime alertness, and overall health.
In some cases, lifestyle modifications can significantly improve or even resolve mild sleep apnea, but they’re rarely sufficient as a standalone treatment for moderate to severe cases. Weight loss can be particularly effective—studies show that losing just 10% of your body weight can reduce the severity of sleep apnea by up to 30%. Other helpful changes include:
These changes work best when combined with proper medical treatment. Even if you’re making positive lifestyle modifications, it’s important to continue using your prescribed treatment until your sleep physician confirms improvement through follow-up testing. Dr. Sharbash can help coordinate with your physician to determine if changes in your treatment plan are appropriate as your condition improves.
With proper care, a quality sleep apnea oral appliance typically lasts 3-5 years before needing replacement. Daily maintenance is surprisingly simple—just like caring for your teeth!
Each morning, remove your appliance and clean it with a soft toothbrush and mild soap or specialized cleaning solution (not toothpaste, which can be abrasive). Rinse thoroughly and allow it to air dry completely before storing it in its protective case. Periodically, you can use cleaning tablets specifically designed for oral appliances to provide a deeper clean and remove any stubborn buildup.
Regular professional check-ups with Dr. Sharbash are essential for ensuring your appliance continues to fit properly and function effectively. These appointments allow us to check for wear, make adjustments if necessary, and verify the appliance is still adequately managing your sleep apnea symptoms. We typically recommend follow-up visits every 6 months, coinciding with your regular dental check-ups for convenience.
Yes, children can absolutely develop sleep apnea, though their symptoms may look different from adults. While adults typically experience daytime sleepiness, children often exhibit behavioral issues like hyperactivity, poor school performance, irritability, or bedwetting. Other signs include mouth breathing, night sweats, unusual sleeping positions, and growth concerns.
Treatment approaches for children differ from adult protocols. The first-line treatment often involves addressing the root cause—typically enlarged tonsils and adenoids—through surgical removal. For children with structural issues like a narrow palate or jaw, orthodontic interventions like palatal expansion may be recommended. Oral appliance therapy is generally not the first choice for growing children but may be considered for older adolescents in specific cases.
If you notice sleep-disordered breathing symptoms in your child, we recommend an evaluation. Dr. Sharbash can perform an initial assessment and refer you to the appropriate specialists, such as pediatric ENT doctors or sleep physicians, to ensure your child receives proper diagnosis and treatment.
While excess weight is a significant risk factor for sleep apnea, people of all body types can develop this condition. In fact, about 20-40% of people with sleep apnea are at a healthy weight! Several other factors contribute to sleep apnea risk:
This is why proper screening and testing are crucial, even for individuals who don’t fit the “typical” sleep apnea profile. Dr. Sharbash evaluates all patients based on their symptoms and clinical presentation, not stereotypes or assumptions about what a sleep apnea patient “should” look like.
Many patients report noticeable improvements after the very first night using their oral appliance! Common immediate benefits include reduced snoring, fewer nighttime awakenings, and feeling more refreshed in the morning. Sleep partners often notice the difference right away—suddenly, they’re sleeping better too without the disruption of loud snoring or witnessing frightening breathing pauses.
Other benefits typically develop over the first few weeks of consistent use. Daytime alertness usually improves within the first week, while reductions in morning headaches or dry mouth might take 1-2 weeks. More significant health improvements—like better blood pressure control or improved mood—generally become apparent within 1-3 months of regular use.
The key to success is consistency. For optimal results, you should use your oral appliance every night, even when traveling. Dr. Sharbash will schedule follow-up appointments to monitor your progress and make any necessary adjustments to ensure you’re receiving maximum benefit from your treatment.
Several surgical options exist for treating sleep apnea, though they’re typically considered when conservative approaches like CPAP or oral appliances haven’t been successful. The “success” of surgery depends on careful patient selection and accurately identifying the specific anatomical issues causing the airway obstruction.
Common surgical approaches include:
Success rates vary considerably based on the procedure and patient factors. MMA surgery tends to have the highest success rates (approximately 90%) but is also the most invasive. Other procedures have more variable outcomes, ranging from 30-70% success.
If you’re interested in surgical options, Dr. Sharbash can coordinate with sleep physicians and surgical specialists to help determine if you might be a good candidate, while continuing to provide effective management with oral appliance therapy in the meantime.
Dental sleep medicine focuses on using oral appliance therapy as an alternative to CPAP machines. At Newport Beach Dental Center, Dr. Sharbash has advanced training in creating custom-fitted oral appliances that are comfortable, effective, and easy to use. These devices can be especially valuable for those who cannot tolerate CPAP therapy or prefer a less intrusive treatment option.
Many medical insurance benefit plans cover oral appliance therapy for obstructive sleep apnea when it’s medically necessary. Our team will work with your insurance provider to determine your coverage and help maximize your benefits. We can also assist with required documentation and pre-authorizations to ensure you receive the coverage you’re entitled to.
Many patients notice improved sleep quality and reduced symptoms from the first night of using their oral appliance. However, complete adjustment and maximum benefit typically occur over the first few weeks of consistent use. We’ll schedule follow-up appointments to track your progress and make any needed adjustments to optimize your treatment.
Yes, children can develop obstructive sleep apnea, often due to enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Symptoms in kids may include snoring, restless sleep, bedwetting, behavioral issues, and daytime sleepiness. If you notice these signs in your child, it’s important to seek evaluation from a pediatric sleep doctor. Early intervention is crucial for preventing long-term health and developmental issues.
Research shows oral appliance therapy can be highly successful for mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea and for some patients with severe OSA who cannot tolerate CPAP. While CPAP may provide more consistent pressure throughout the night, oral appliances often have higher compliance rates because they’re more comfortable and convenient. The most effective treatment is the one you’ll actually use consistently.
1441 Avocado Ave, Ste 606 Newport Beach, CA 92660
