Dental Sleep Medicine: Addressing Sleep Apnea Through Oral Health Solutions

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a common and potentially serious sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during the night. The most common type, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), happens when the muscles in your throat relax too much, blocking the airway.

Common symptoms include:

• Loud snoring
• Gasping or choking sounds during sleep
• Morning headaches
• Excessive daytime fatigue
• Brain fog, mood swings, or trouble concentrating

It can sneak up gradually—especially if you’ve just written off the fatigue as “normal.” But untreated, sleep apnea puts stress on your heart, increases your risk of stroke, and impacts your immune system and brain health.

What Is Dental Sleep Medicine?

Dental sleep medicine is an area of dentistry focused on helping patients manage sleep-disordered breathing with oral appliances. These custom devices are worn during sleep to reposition the jaw and keep the airway open.

It’s a great solution for patients who:

• Have mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea
• Can’t tolerate or don’t want to use CPAP machines
• Grind or clench their teeth at night
• Snore regularly and want relief (and quieter nights!)

Unlike a one-size-fits-all mouthguard from the drugstore, these appliances are designed using digital scans of your bite and jaw position for a precise and effective fit.

How Oral Appliances Help With Sleep Apnea

Oral appliances work by gently moving the lower jaw forward, which tightens soft tissues and muscles that normally collapse during sleep. That forward shift opens the airway and reduces snoring, apneic events, and oxygen drops.

Benefits of dental sleep medicine include:

• No hoses, cords, or machines
• Quiet, discreet, and portable
• Easy to clean and maintain
• Custom-fit for comfort and performance

Dr. Yamashiro has helped many Bonney Lake and Tacoma-area patients improve their sleep, energy levels, and focus using oral appliance therapy alone—or alongside other solutions.

CPAP vs. Oral Appliances: What’s the Difference?

CPAP machines deliver air pressure to keep the airway open. They work well, but many people find them uncomfortable, noisy, or hard to stick with.

Oral appliances are more user-friendly for many patients. They’re:

• Smaller and more comfortable
• Travel-friendly
• Easy to integrate into your nightly routine

If you’ve already tried CPAP and didn’t love it—or if your doctor says you’re a good candidate for a less invasive solution—dental sleep medicine might be your next step.

Collaboration Is Key: Working With Sleep Physicians

It’s important to note that diagnosing sleep apnea requires a sleep study, often overseen by a board-certified physician. At Ecologic Dentistry, Dr. Yamashiro does not diagnose sleep apnea—but she works closely with medical providers to support ongoing care.

Here’s how the collaborative process typically works:

1. Your primary care doctor or sleep specialist orders a sleep study.
2. If you’re diagnosed with OSA, your physician may refer you for oral appliance therapy.
3. Dr. Yamashiro evaluates your airway and creates a custom-fitted appliance.
4. Follow-up sleep testing is done to confirm its effectiveness.

The partnership between dental and medical care ensures your treatment is not just comfortable—but also safe and effective.

A Closer Look: The Vivos System

For some patients, especially those with underdeveloped jaws or complex airway issues, a more advanced dental sleep treatment is needed. That’s where the Vivos System comes in.

Unlike traditional oral appliances, Vivos is a biomimetic, non-surgical treatment designed to correct the structure of your airway over time.

It works by:

• Stimulating natural growth and remodeling of the jaw
• Increasing airway space for long-term improvements
• Often eliminating the need for CPAP or other nightly devices

This is especially powerful for children with narrow palates or early signs of sleep-disordered breathing. And it’s available right here in Bonney Lake through Dr. Yamashiro’s comprehensive care.

Lifestyle Tips That Support Dental Sleep Medicine

Alongside oral appliance therapy, small lifestyle changes can support better sleep:

• Sleep on your side instead of your back
• Avoid alcohol or sedatives before bed
• Keep nasal passages clear with rinses or allergy treatment
• Stay consistent with your sleep schedule—even on weekends

We also talk with patients about breathing habits, posture, and even stress. Because real sleep wellness goes beyond the device—it’s about how your body moves and functions all day long.

What to Expect at Your Consultation

Your first visit is relaxed and informative. We’ll:

• Review your health and sleep history
• Examine your bite, airway, and jaw movement
• Take digital scans if needed
• Talk through your treatment options and goals

We’ll also answer your questions about insurance, timelines, and how the process works. Our goal is to make your journey toward better sleep feel simple and empowering.

Real Rest Starts Here

If sleep apnea has taken a toll on your energy, health, or mood, now is the time to explore solutions that actually work for you. Whether you’re in Bonney Lake, Tacoma, or somewhere in between, Dr. Yamashiro and the team at Ecologic Dentistry are here to help.

Call today to schedule your consultation. Let’s help you breathe better, sleep deeper, and wake up feeling more like yourself.

Questions We Hear Often