Restorative Dentistry

Sleep Apnea Oral Appliances

For some patients, a custom oral appliance is a comfortable alternative to CPAP and can quiet snoring and improve sleep.

How it works

A custom-fitted oral appliance gently moves your lower jaw forward while you sleep, opening the airway. For mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnea, it can be effective — and many patients find it easier to wear consistently than a CPAP machine.

Working with your physician

A sleep apnea diagnosis comes from a sleep study and your physician. If you’ve been diagnosed and your physician thinks an oral appliance could work for you, Dr. Youn can fit you with one and follow up to make sure it’s helping.

If you’re not sure

Loud snoring, daytime tiredness, and waking up gasping are worth bringing up at your next visit. If a sleep evaluation makes sense, we’ll point you in the right direction.

Talk through whether an oral appliance is right for you

Call our Pelham Drive office to schedule a consultation.

Schedule a Consultation 540-943-9703

Frequently Asked

Common questions

Who is a candidate for an oral appliance?

Adults with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), patients who have not tolerated CPAP, and many heavy snorers without full apnea. We coordinate with your sleep physician — a recent sleep study is required for most insurance reimbursement.

How is the appliance different from a nightguard?

A nightguard protects against grinding but does not move the jaw. A sleep apnea appliance is precisely calibrated to advance your lower jaw a few millimeters, which keeps your airway from collapsing during sleep.

Will it cure my sleep apnea?

It will not cure the condition, but for most patients with mild to moderate OSA it dramatically reduces apnea events and the daytime symptoms (sleepiness, brain fog, blood pressure spikes) that come with them. We follow up with a repeat sleep study to confirm it is working.

Is it covered by insurance?

Medical insurance — not dental insurance — usually covers oral appliance therapy for diagnosed OSA. We help you submit the paperwork.

Why patients on Pelham Drive choose Willis Family Dentistry Waynesboro

Dr. Tyler Youn, DDS is calm, unhurried, and trained at University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry — and he believes the most important skill in dentistry is listening. Patients across Waynesboro, the 22980 corridor, Stuarts Draft, Fishersville, and Lyndhurst choose Willis Family Dentistry Waynesboro on Pelham Drive because every visit feels like a real conversation, not a sales pitch. We talk about cost up front, accept most major PPO insurance plans, and offer the Virginia Dental Club membership for patients without insurance — so cost is never the reason a smile waits. Open Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm at 101 Pelham Dr, Waynesboro 22980. Call 540-943-9703 or request an appointment online.