Sleep apnea treatment at Kinard Family Dental in Helotes, TX centers on custom oral appliance therapy, a comfortable alternative for adults with obstructive sleep apnea who cannot tolerate CPAP. Dr. Sarah Kinard, a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine, coordinates sleep testing with physicians. Learn how diagnosis works on our adult airway page or explore Vivos treatment.
Schedule NowOral appliance therapy uses a custom-made device, similar to a sports guard or retainer, worn only while you sleep. It holds the lower jaw slightly forward, which keeps the tongue and soft tissue at the back of the throat from collapsing into the airway. With the airway held open, breathing continues through the night without the pauses that define obstructive sleep apnea.
Clinical guidelines in sleep medicine recommend oral appliance therapy for adults with obstructive sleep apnea who cannot tolerate CPAP or prefer another option. For many patients it is also an effective first treatment for snoring.
CPAP is highly effective when it is used, but many people struggle with the mask, the noise or the hose and stop wearing it. A treatment that stays in a drawer does nothing. An oral appliance is small, quiet, needs no electricity and travels in a case, so many patients find it far easier to wear every night.
Nothing on your face and nothing connected to a machine.
No motor noise for you or your bed partner.
Fits in a pocket or carry-on.
Some patients use an appliance alongside CPAP to lower pressure needs.
A physician diagnoses sleep apnea from a sleep study, which can often be done at home with a small device worn overnight. Our team coordinates that testing and works with local sleep physicians, pulmonologists, cardiologists and ENT physicians.
A CBCT airway scan also shows the size and shape of your airway in 3D. Our adult airway page explains the full evaluation.
Adults with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea
Adults with more severe sleep apnea who cannot tolerate CPAP
People who snore loudly and want a quieter night for themselves and their partner
Frequent travelers who find CPAP impractical away from home
Healthy teeth and gums are needed to anchor the appliance, so your dental health is checked first.
We review your sleep history, symptoms and any existing test results.
A home sleep test or lab study is arranged when needed.
A digital scan is used to make an appliance fitted to your bite.
The appliance is fine-tuned over several weeks for comfort and airflow.
A repeat sleep study confirms the appliance is working.
Any of these signs is worth discussing, especially when several appear together. Untreated sleep apnea strains the heart and affects mood, memory and safety on the road.
A standard oral appliance holds the jaw forward each night but does not change its shape. For some adults with a narrow upper jaw, Vivos sleep apnea treatment aims to develop the jaw and airway over time.
If jaw pain or clenching comes with your sleep symptoms, our TMJ/TMD treatment page explains how the two are often connected.
Kinard Family Dental is at 12740 Bandera Road, Suite 100, Helotes, TX 78023, and welcomes families from San Antonio, Boerne and Leon Valley. Call (210) 695-1200 or request an appointment to discuss your sleep. Our article on the symptoms of sleep apnea can help you decide whether testing makes sense.
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Yes. A physician diagnoses sleep apnea, and a dentist trained in dental sleep medicine can treat it with a custom oral appliance. Dr. Kinard works with your physician so your treatment is based on a confirmed diagnosis.
Most people adjust within one to two weeks. Mild jaw or tooth tenderness in the morning is common at first and usually fades as the appliance is adjusted.
For many patients, yes. Holding the jaw forward keeps the airway open, which reduces the vibration that causes snoring. Snoring can also be a sign of sleep apnea, so testing is recommended.
Many medical plans cover oral appliance therapy for diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea, because it is a medical treatment. Our team can help you check your benefits.
With good care, a custom appliance typically lasts several years. It is checked at follow-up visits and adjusted or replaced as needed.
Often, yes. Crowns, fillings and many bridges are compatible. Your teeth and gums are examined first to make sure they can support the appliance.
