Sleep Appliances
Restorative sleep is crucial to maintaining your overall health. Sleep appliances can help you get the rest you need so you wake up refreshed. Snoring or sleep apnea can steal restful sleep. Our custom sleep appliances fit comfortably and keep your airway open so you can breathe well and sleep well all night long.
Understanding Sleep Disordered Breathing
Sleep Apnea is characterized by pauses in breathing (hypopneas) or cessations of breathing (apneas) during sleep due to a blocked airway. How does this happen? During sleep muscle tone decreases and our muscles “go slack,” i.e. the jaw muscles relax and the lower jaw falls back. In this position, the airway is blocked by the epiglottis and/or the tongue settling in the back of throat.
Upper airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS) is characterized by repeated arousals during sleep because of resistance in the upper airway. UARS commonly causes excessive daytime sleepiness and fatigue. Snoring may be present, but is not the only symptom of UARS.
Snoring is the sound of vibrating respiratory structures due to obstructed air movement during breathing while sleeping. Snoring can be disruptive to your sleep and the sleep of your bed partner.
Our Sleep Appliance Options
How do I find out if I have Sleep Disordered Breathing?
At Vondrak Dental, we SCREEN patients concerned they may have Sleep Apnea using state of the art home sleep study equipment. As you will see pictured below, this device fits on your wrist and can easily be worn sleeping in your own home, in your own bed. As a board certified dentist in treating Sleep Apnea with Sleep Appliances, Dr. Stephanie Vondrak will walk you through the process of wearing the home sleep equipment to measure your quality of sleep and gather data that will help your physician in diagnosing Sleep Apnea. Once you are screened, Dr. Vondrak will work closely with your physician or help you find a qualified MD to diagnose your sleeping disorder and the severity of your sleep problem. With this information, Dr. Vondrak and your physician will determine if a sleep appliance is right for you.
State of the Art Sleep Appliances
Dental sleep appliances such as the Prosomnus appliance can treat all of the above: Sleep Apnea, UARS and/or Snoring and can be seen in the adjacent photo.
Sleep appliances are recommended for individuals who are CPAP intolerant, refuse to wear a CPAP, and/or have mild to moderate Sleep Apnea. Prosomnus is the first and only appliance to recently be approved to treat Severe Sleep Apnea as well. For more information on Sleep Appliances to treat your specific needs, contact Vondrak Dental for a sleep centered consultation. Dr. Stephanie Vondrak will spend one on one time with you to determine the best and most effective course of treatment to get you breathing and sleeping better soon!
Sleep Therapy at Vondrak Dental
Credentialed by the American Academy of Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine, Dr. Stephanie Vondrak has created a sleep therapy program focused on long-term wellness and maximizing the benefits of oral appliances. It begins with a consultation to review your sleep study—or get you started with our WatchPAT at-home test. From there, we complete a comprehensive exam, digital scan, bite registration, and photos to design your custom appliance. Once it’s ready, you’ll return for a simple delivery visit and personalized guidance to help you get the best possible results from your sleep therapy.
Your Health Is Our Priority
Your health and well-being are always our top priority. Our team is committed to treating every patient with genuine kindness, respect, and thoughtful attention. We take the time to listen to your concerns, understand your goals, and design care that fits your life. Through gentle, personalized dentistry, we strive to ensure you feel comfortable, valued, and fully supported at every visit.
What I Love About Dentistry:
What I love about dentistry is the opportunity to help patients understand long-term dental solutions that not only preserve their teeth for a lifetime but also support healthier, longer lives. I’m passionate about whole-body wellness, from addressing sleep obstructions in the dental office—which can reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other serious conditions—to relieving chronic TMJ pain that has impacted someone for years. I’m also inspired by the ability to open a child’s airway and create space for properly erupting teeth, setting them up for a healthier future. The many ways I can help patients improve their health and quality of life is what excites me most about my work.
