Skip to main content

Airway Dentistry and Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a serious disorder that causes breathing to repeatedly stop and start during sleep. Untreated sleep apnea can cause fatigue, and lead to high blood pressure, heart failure, stroke, mood disorder and other serious health problems. Sleep apnea is a medical condition and is covered by medical insurance. 

Dr Abdehou is one of a few dentist in Maryland who has undergone special training to treat patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea using oral appliances.  She received her certification from the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine.  

Types of Sleep Apnea

  • Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is the most common type of sleep apnea. OSA occurs due to a physical blockage, usually the collapsing of the soft tissue in the back of the throat. In some cases, the blockage of air is so great that no air can get through, causing repeated awakenings throughout the night. Loud snorers often experience OSA.
  • Central sleep apnea (CSA) occurs because the muscles that control breathing don't receive the proper signals from the brain.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

  • Insomnia
  • Periodic stoppage of breathing
  • Restless sleep
  • Loud snoring
  • Headaches upon waking
  • Sleeping/drowsiness during the day
  • Irritability or personality changes
  • Poor memory and difficulty with concentration
  • Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat

Treatment

Treatment of obstructive sleep apnea can vary based on type and severity of apnea and many other factors specific to each and every patient. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device, oral appliance therapy and surgery are some of the popular treatments.

Lasser therapy and myofunctional therapy have been used as adjunctive therapies to improve apnea.

What can you expect when you come to our office?

We will see you first for a consultation to review your medical history and evaluate your head and neck and throat. We thoroughly assess your oral, dental and skeletal contribution to airway constriction and review information from your sleep study report in order to confirm the diagnosis and determine the appropriate treatment option.

Oral appliance therapy can be a very effective therapy for many patients with snoring and obstructive apnea.

We treat you with one of many available FDA-approved oral appliances that are available based on many information that we gather through your first two visits.

Airway Dentistry: "Breathe Better. Sleep Deeper. Live Healthier." 

We specialize in diagnosing and treating sleep and breathing disorders caused by structural deficiencies in the oral cavity. Our advanced, non-invasive treatments—such as CO₂ laser therapy, myofunctional therapy, and Vivos appliances—are designed to enhance sleep quality, expand the airway, and improve overall health, leading to profound benefits beyond better sleep. Treating sleep apnea not only reduces daytime fatigue and enhances cognitive function but also significantly lowers the risk of serious health conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. Additionally, proper airway development and function contribute to improved facial aesthetics, promoting more balanced facial symmetry, defined jawlines, and optimal muscle tone, leading to both health and cosmetic benefits. 

Our Treatments 

Snoring & Airway Obstruction 

Snoring often results from an obstructed airway or irregular airflow during sleep. Our goal is to identify the root cause—whether it stems from the mouth, throat, or nasal passages—and provide targeted solutions. We offer customized oral appliances, myofunctional therapy, and other effective treatments to reduce or eliminate snoring for restful, uninterrupted sleep. 

CO₂ Laser Therapy 

CO₂ laser therapy is a precise, minimally invasive treatment that removes excess soft tissue in tongue or gums and shrinks tonsils and throat helping to improve airflow and breathing. This cutting-edge approach minimizes discomfort, reduces recovery time, and decreases the need for pain medication while enhancing long-term airway function. 

Myofunctional Therapy 

By retraining tongue and facial muscles, myofunctional therapy helps reduce mouth breathing, snoring, and sleep apnea while also improving speech and facial muscle tone. Strengthening these muscles promotes proper tongue positioning and optimal breathing patterns, making it an effective solution for both children and adults. 

Vivos Appliances 

Vivos appliances are custom-designed, non-invasive devices that expand the upper jaw and airway to address sleep apnea, snoring, and airway obstruction. Through gradual expansion and jaw alignment, these appliances increase airway size, leading to better sleep quality and long-term health benefits—all without surgery. 

A Holistic Approach to Airway Health 

Airway dentistry takes a comprehensive, patient-centered approach to improving sleep, breathing, and overall well-being. Whether you need snoring relief, airway expansion, or facial muscle retraining, we tailor each treatment to your unique needs—helping you breathe better, sleep deeper, and live healthier.