CPAP Alternative
How Do Dental Oral Appliances
Treat Sleep Apnea and Snoring
in Calgary?
Obstructive sleep apnea and chronic snoring occur when the tongue and soft tissues collapse into the airway during sleep, blocking airflow. A custom oral appliance (mandibular advancement device) gently holds the jaw in a forward position to keep the airway open throughout the night. For mild-to-moderate sleep apnea and primary snoring, oral appliance therapy is a comfortable, quiet, and portable alternative to CPAP that most patients find easier to use consistently.
How It Works
What Are the Steps of Getting a
Custom Sleep Apnea Appliance in Calgary?
Sleep Assessment
We review your sleep study results, assess your airway, jaw position, and bite to determine whether an oral appliance is appropriate for your situation.
Custom Fitting
Detailed impressions and bite records are taken to fabricate a precision-fitted mandibular advancement device tailored to your jaw anatomy.
Appliance Delivery
Your device is fitted and adjusted at delivery to ensure it holds your jaw in the optimal forward position for airway opening without discomfort.
Follow-Up & Fine-Tuning
Regular follow-ups assess your response to treatment — the appliance is fine-tuned as needed, and we coordinate with your sleep physician to monitor outcomes.
Accepting new patients. Open 7 days a week in Royal Oak, NW Calgary. Call to book →
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
About Sleep Apnea Treatment in Calgary
Yes, dentists play a key role in treating mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea using oral appliance therapy. At Royal Oak Smiles in NW Calgary, Dr. Tanya Khattra provides custom mandibular advancement devices that hold the jaw slightly forward during sleep to keep the airway open. Severe sleep apnea still requires CPAP. A sleep study diagnosis from a physician is typically required before oral appliance therapy begins.
Both a snore guard and a sleep apnea oral appliance work by advancing the lower jaw forward to open the airway. The term 'snore guard' typically refers to a device for primary snoring without diagnosed apnea. A 'mandibular advancement device' is a more precisely calibrated appliance prescribed for diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea. Royal Oak Smiles provides both types, custom-fitted to your anatomy for maximum comfort and effectiveness.
Coverage for dental sleep apnea appliances varies by plan. Some Alberta dental and medical insurance plans cover custom mandibular advancement devices when prescribed for diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea. Royal Oak Smiles direct-bills most major Alberta insurers and can submit a pre-authorization on your behalf to confirm your benefit entitlement before treatment begins.
Most patients adjust to a mandibular advancement device within 2 to 4 weeks. Initial side effects may include minor jaw soreness or increased salivation, which typically resolve as muscles adapt. Royal Oak Smiles schedules follow-up appointments to adjust the appliance for comfort and efficacy and to monitor your response. Most patients report meaningful improvement in snoring and sleep quality within the first month.