Oral Appliance Therapy for Sleep Apnea in Calgary
Macleod Trail Dental provides custom oral appliance therapy for eligible adults with physician-diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea or primary snoring. Dr. Jennifer Silver works with patients and their medical providers to assess dental suitability, fit a custom device, monitor comfort and oral health, and coordinate follow-up when appropriate.
A More Comfortable Option for the Right Patient
Sleep apnea can disrupt rest, concentration, mood, and long-term health. Many patients first notice loud snoring, gasping during sleep, daytime fatigue, morning headaches, or trouble focusing.
For some adults with diagnosed mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea—or those who cannot tolerate CPAP or prefer an alternative—a custom, titratable oral appliance may be appropriate. The appliance fits over the teeth and gently supports the lower jaw to help maintain airflow during sleep. Suitability and effectiveness vary, and medical diagnosis and follow-up remain important.
What Sleep Apnea Care Includes
Sleep Apnea Assessment
We review symptoms, medical history, dental health, and diagnosis records to assess whether oral appliance therapy may be suitable. Patients without a diagnosis are referred to a physician or sleep-medicine provider for evaluation and testing.
Custom Oral Appliances
Your appliance is designed specifically for your mouth so it feels more comfortable, more portable, and easier to use nightly.
Snoring Reduction Support
For many patients, oral appliance therapy also helps reduce disruptive snoring and improve sleep quality for partners.
Collaborative Care
We work with your physician or sleep specialist when needed and can help support next steps such as sleep studies or medical coordination.
Insurance & Payment Guidance
Many plans may provide coverage after diagnosis, and our team can help explain billing and financing options.
Long-Term Monitoring
Follow-up matters. We monitor comfort, fit, and response over time so treatment can be adjusted when needed.
Is an Oral Appliance Right for You?
Signs of sleep apnea
Loud, regular snoring, waking up gasping or choking, feeling tired during the day even after a full night in bed, morning headaches, trouble focusing, irritability, or a dry mouth or sore throat when you wake up. Often a bed partner notices the pauses in breathing first.
Diagnosis comes first
Sleep apnea is diagnosed by a physician with a sleep study. If you have not had one, talk to your doctor; we can help you arrange it. Oral appliances treat obstructive sleep apnea, where the airway narrows or collapses during sleep. They are not a treatment for central sleep apnea, which starts in the brain.
Oral appliance or CPAP?
A CPAP machine pushes air through a mask and is usually the first choice for severe sleep apnea. An oral appliance is a small custom mouthpiece, similar to a night guard, that holds your lower jaw slightly forward to keep the airway open. It is quiet, has no mask or hose, and is easy to travel with, which is why many people with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, or who cannot tolerate CPAP, prefer it. It can also reduce snoring.
Getting Your Sleep Appliance
1. Consultation: we review your sleep study results and check your teeth, gums and jaw, since the appliance needs healthy teeth to hold onto.
2. Digital scan: we scan your teeth and bite so the appliance fits you exactly.
3. Your custom appliance: a dental lab makes an adjustable appliance for you, usually ready in one to two weeks.
4. Fitting and adjustment: we fit the appliance, show you how to use and clean it, and move your jaw forward gradually over the following weeks until snoring and symptoms improve.
5. Follow-up: your physician may order a follow-up sleep test to confirm the appliance is working, and we check your jaw, bite and the appliance at regular visits.
Caring for your appliance
Brush it every morning with a soft toothbrush and cool water or a non-abrasive cleaner, let it air dry, and keep it in its case. Bring it to your checkups. With good care, an appliance usually lasts several years. Some jaw or tooth tenderness in the first few days is common and usually fades as you get used to it.
Insurance and direct billing
With a diagnosis from a sleep study, many medical or extended health plans cover part of an oral appliance, and we can bill your extended health plan directly. Financing is available for any remaining balance.
Why Patients Choose Macleod Trail Dental for Sleep Apnea Care
Patients often want a clinic that can make complex treatment feel simple, practical, and easy to understand. That is especially true for sleep-related concerns, where comfort and long-term use are essential.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Sleep Apnea Treatment
Yes, for the right patient. After a physician diagnoses obstructive sleep apnea, a dentist can make a custom oral appliance that holds the lower jaw forward to keep the airway open.
Yes. Sleep apnea is diagnosed by a physician with a sleep study. If you have not had one, talk to your doctor; we can help you arrange it.
CPAP is usually first choice for severe sleep apnea. For mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, or if you cannot tolerate CPAP, an oral appliance is a quiet, comfortable option that many people use more consistently.
Often, yes. With a diagnosis from a sleep study, many medical or extended health plans cover part of an oral appliance, and we can bill your extended health plan directly.
Request an Appointment
Use this form to contact Macleod Trail Dental about booking, treatment questions, or the next best step for your visit.
Start Sleeping Better
If poor sleep, snoring, or sleep apnea symptoms are affecting your life, Macleod Trail Dental can help you explore a quieter, more comfortable treatment path.