Sleep Apnea Treatment in Castle Rock, CO | Oakwood Dental

Oakwood Dental · Castle Rock, CO

Sleep apnea is a serious disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops during the night — increasing the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke. At Oakwood Dental in Castle Rock, CO, we offer a comfortable, CPAP-free alternative: custom oral appliance therapy.

Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

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Loud, chronic snoring that disrupts your partner's sleep

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Waking with a gasp or feeling short of breath during the night

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Excessive daytime sleepiness despite a full night in bed

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Morning headaches and dry mouth or sore throat upon waking

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Irritability, mood changes, or difficulty concentrating at work

Oral Appliance Therapy — The CPAP Alternative

A custom-fitted oral appliance repositions the lower jaw slightly forward during sleep, keeping the airway open and preventing the soft tissue collapse that causes apnea events. Oral appliances are small, quiet, portable, and require no mask or machine — making compliance dramatically higher than CPAP for many patients.

The Process at Oakwood Dental

Step 1: Sleep study referrala formal diagnosis from a sleep physician is required before we begin treatment.

Step 2: Digital impressionsprecise impressions are taken to fabricate your custom appliance.

Step 3: Fitting and adjustmentthe appliance is carefully adjusted for comfort and effectiveness.

Step 4: Follow-up carewe monitor your progress and coordinate with your sleep physician.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a sleep study first?

Yes — a formal diagnosis from a sleep specialist is required. We can provide referrals to sleep physicians in the Castle Rock and Douglas County area.

Is oral appliance therapy covered by insurance?

Oral appliance therapy for diagnosed sleep apnea is typically covered under medical insurance. Our team is experienced at navigating medical insurance for appliance coverage.

What Castle Rock Patients Should Know About Sleep Apnea Treatment

Sleep apnea causes breathing to repeatedly stop and restart during sleep — hundreds of times per night in severe cases — preventing restorative sleep and placing chronic stress on the cardiovascular system. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the most common type, occurs when throat muscles relax and block the airway. Symptoms include loud snoring, gasping or choking sounds during sleep, morning headaches, excessive daytime sleepiness, and difficulty concentrating.

Oakwood Dental offers oral appliance therapy (OAT) — a custom-fitted mouthpiece worn during sleep that repositions the lower jaw slightly forward, keeping the airway open without the mask, hose, and machine of CPAP therapy. For mild to moderate OSA, oral appliances are as effective as CPAP for many patients and significantly easier to comply with — especially for travelers. Oakwood Dental works with your sleep physician to confirm diagnosis (a sleep study is required) and monitor treatment outcomes.

Untreated sleep apnea dramatically increases the risk of hypertension, heart attack, stroke, Type 2 diabetes, and depression. If you or your partner suspects sleep apnea, Oakwood Dental can discuss the path from evaluation to treatment. Our Castle Rock office accepts medical insurance for oral appliance therapy when prescribed by a physician. Patients from Castle Rock, Castle Pines, and Parker can call 303-688-3860 to learn more.

Do I need a sleep study before getting an oral appliance?

Yes. An official diagnosis of OSA via polysomnography (sleep study) or home sleep test is required before medical insurance will cover an oral appliance. If you haven’t been diagnosed, we can refer you to a sleep physician. Some patients with known OSA who are non-compliant with CPAP can move directly to an appliance consultation.

Is oral appliance therapy as effective as CPAP?

For mild to moderate OSA, oral appliances achieve similar outcomes to CPAP in improving AHI (apnea-hypopnea index) and daytime symptoms — with far higher compliance rates, since patients actually wear the appliance. CPAP remains the gold standard for severe OSA. The right choice depends on severity and patient preference.

Does insurance cover a dental sleep appliance?

Many medical insurance plans (not dental) cover oral appliances for diagnosed sleep apnea when prescribed by a physician. Oakwood Dental’s team will verify your medical insurance benefits and submit claims on your behalf. Medicare and most major carriers recognize oral appliance therapy as a covered benefit.

Related Services at Oakwood Dental

✓ TMJ Treatment ✓ Exams & Cleanings ✓ Sedation Dentistry

Serving Castle Rock, Castle Pines, Parker, Franktown & all of Douglas County · 303-688-3860

Sleep Better — Call Oakwood Dental in Castle Rock

Call 303-688-3860 or book a sleep apnea consultation online. Serving Castle Rock, Castle Pines, Parker, Lone Tree, Highlands Ranch, and Douglas County.

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