Sleep through the night. Feel like yourself in the morning.
If obstructive sleep apnea or chronic snoring is keeping you — or the person beside you — from sleeping well, a custom oral appliance may offer a quiet, comfortable way to help keep your airway open while you sleep.
No mask. No hose. A custom appliance made to fit your mouth and your treatment plan.
Six signs a tooth may need a little help.
Not every cavity or damaged filling hurts. Sometimes the first clue is simply that a tooth looks, feels or bites differently than it used to.
Loud, persistent snoring
Frequent or irregular snoring can be one of the most noticeable signs that airflow is becoming restricted during sleep.
Pauses in your breathing
A partner may notice moments when your breathing seems to stop and then suddenly starts again.
Waking up gasping
Choking, snorting or waking suddenly to catch your breath can be associated with interrupted nighttime breathing.
Tired all day
Feeling excessively sleepy or drained despite spending enough hours in bed can be a sign that your sleep is being repeatedly disrupted.
Dry mouth or morning headaches
A filling that feels rough, loose or damaged should be checked before the surrounding tooth is affected.
Trouble staying focused
Poor-quality, fragmented sleep can leave you feeling foggy, less alert or unable to concentrate as well during the day.
Snoring doesn’t automatically mean sleep apnea — but it can be worth looking into.
Your dentist can help spot signs of obstructive sleep apnea. Your physician or sleep specialist confirms the diagnosis. Then we can work together on the right treatment.
Not all sleep apnea works the same way — and not all of it is treated by a dentist.
There are two main types of sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when the upper airway repeatedly narrows or collapses during sleep, reducing or stopping airflow. Central sleep apnea (CSA) is different: breathing is interrupted because the brain does not consistently send the signals needed to breathe.
Dental sleep medicine focuses on obstructive sleep apnea. A custom oral appliance can gently hold the lower jaw in a more forward position while you sleep, helping reduce collapse of the soft tissues and maintain a more open airway.
But recognizing possible OSA and diagnosing it are two different things. A dentist can screen for signs and risk factors; diagnosis is made by a physician or trained sleep specialist using a comprehensive evaluation and, when appropriate, sleep testing.
The right treatment starts with the right diagnosis.
Oral appliance therapy works best as part of coordinated care — from identifying a possible problem to fitting the device and checking that it continues to work comfortably.
Screening & Referral
We can review your sleep concerns, health history and oral anatomy for signs that may suggest obstructive sleep apnea and help guide you toward appropriate medical evaluation.
- For people who snore, feel unusually sleepy during the day or have been told they stop breathing while asleep but do not yet have an OSA diagnosis.
- For adults diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea when oral appliance therapy has been prescribed as an appropriate treatment option.
Custom Oral Appliance
A custom, titratable oral appliance is made to fit over your teeth and gently position the jaw forward to help keep the upper airway more open during sleep.
Adjustment & Follow-Up
Your appliance may be gradually adjusted for comfort and effectiveness, while we monitor your teeth, jaw and bite and coordinate appropriate follow-up with your sleep physician.
- For anyone already using an oral appliance who needs ongoing fit, comfort and treatment monitoring.
From restless nights to a treatment you can actually sleep with.
- Confirm the diagnosis
If you haven’t already been diagnosed, we’ll help direct you toward a physician or sleep specialist for the evaluation and sleep testing needed to determine whether you have OSA.
- Create your appliance
Once oral appliance therapy is prescribed, we evaluate your teeth and jaw and create a custom device designed to fit comfortably and position your jaw appropriately.
- Adjust, monitor & follow up
We fine-tune the appliance, monitor your comfort and bite over time and coordinate follow-up testing with your sleep physician to confirm that treatment is working.
200 reasons to choose us.
We don't ask you to trust us. We let our patients do the talking.
I hadn’t been to the dentist in longer than I wanted to admit, so I was expecting a lecture. Instead, the whole visit felt easy. My cleaning was gentle, everything was explained clearly, and I left knowing exactly what to keep an eye on and when to come back.
Melissa R.
Teeth Cleaning & Exam
Bethesda, MD
5.0 ★ · Over 200 reviews on Google · Read all reviews →
I had a small chip on my front tooth that bothered me in every photo. I expected a much bigger treatment, but bonding was enough. The shade matches beautifully and the tooth still looks completely natural.
Laura M.
Cosmetic Dental Bonding
Bethesda, MD
5.0 ★ · Over 200 reviews on Google · Read all reviews →
I drink coffee every day and felt like my teeth had gradually become much darker than they used to be. I wanted them brighter, but I definitely didn’t want that artificial super-white look. They helped me choose a shade that still looked like me, and the difference was exactly what I wanted. My smile looks fresher without looking “done.”
Emily S.
Professional Teeth Whitening
Bethesda, MD
5.0 ★ · Over 200 reviews on Google · Read all reviews →
I avoided the dentist for years because of a terrible experience when I was younger. By the time I finally booked, I was embarrassed about both my teeth and how anxious I was. Nobody made me feel judged. They talked through the sedation options with me beforehand, explained exactly what to expect and made the appointment feel completely manageable. It was the first time I left a dental office thinking, “I can actually do this again.”
Lauren D.
Sedation Dentistry
Kensington, MD
5.0 ★ · Over 200 reviews on Google · Read all reviews →
I used to think preventive dentistry just meant getting my teeth cleaned and coming back six months later. They actually took the time to explain why I kept getting cavities in the same areas and helped me change a few things at home. We also added extra protection to a couple of teeth that needed it. My visits feel much more proactive now instead of waiting for the next problem.
Nicole B.
Preventive Dentistry
Kensington, MD
5.0 ★ · Over 200 reviews on Google · Read all reviews →
I had been dealing with jaw soreness and painful clicking for months and wasn’t even sure whether I should see a dentist about it. The appointment was very thorough. They asked when the pain happened, checked how my jaw was moving and explained the difference between the joint and the surrounding muscles. I appreciated that the plan felt conservative and specific to what I was actually experiencing.
Sarah L.
TMJ Evaluation & Treatment
Chevy Chase, MD
5.0 ★ · Over 200 reviews on Google · Read all reviews →
I had already been diagnosed with sleep apnea but struggled with my CPAP enough that I wasn’t using it consistently. I talked with my sleep doctor about alternatives and then came to Bethesda Dental Group for an oral appliance. The fitting process was easy, the adjustments were explained clearly, and traveling is much simpler now. My wife is also very happy that the snoring has improved.
James R.
Sleep Apnea Oral Appliance Therapy
Bethesda, MD
5.0 ★ · Over 200 reviews on Google · Read all reviews →
I had a badly broken molar and kept putting the appointment off because I was nervous about having it removed. They showed me why the tooth couldn’t really be saved, talked me through everything before starting, and the actual extraction was much more manageable than I had built it up to be. I also appreciated that we talked about what to do with the space afterward instead of just stopping there.
Rachel P.
Tooth Extraction
Bethesda, MD
5.0 ★ · Over 200 reviews on Google · Read all reviews →
I went in with a toothache that had kept me up the night before and was honestly dreading hearing “root canal.” The team explained exactly what they were seeing and what would happen next. Once I was numb, the appointment was much easier than I expected, and the relief afterward made me wish I had come in sooner.
Michael T.
Root Canal Treatment
Bethesda, MD
5.0 ★ · Over 200 reviews on Google · Read all reviews →
I chipped an old filling and was convinced it was going to turn into a much bigger procedure. Dr. Shawn showed me exactly what was happening, explained my options clearly, and repaired the tooth without making the visit stressful. My bite feels completely normal again, and the new filling blends in so well I can barely see it.
Daniel M
Composite Filling Replacement
Bethesda, MD
5.0 ★ · Over 200 reviews on Google · Read all reviews →
Better sleep shouldn’t feel out of reach.
If oral appliance therapy is appropriate for you, our team can help you understand your coverage and payment options. Cherry, Sunbit, Proceed and Care Credit financing is available for eligible treatment with no hard credit check · approval in seconds · and plans from 3 to 24 months.
Still waking up tired after a full night in bed?
If snoring, interrupted breathing or daytime sleepiness has you wondering whether sleep apnea could be part of the problem, start the conversation. We’ll help you understand where dental sleep care may fit.
