How long does it take to get used to?

Most patients adapt within a few nights to a few weeks — far faster than typical CPAP adaptation.

How long do appliances last?

Typically 3–5 years with proper care, depending on grinding patterns and use. We monitor fit at follow-up visits.

Can I use this if I already have CPAP?

Yes. Many patients use an oral appliance for travel and CPAP at home, or transition fully if they tolerate the appliance well.

Do I need a sleep study first?

An OSA diagnosis confirmed by sleep testing is typically required. We can coordinate with your sleep doctor or recommend testing if you don't have a recent study.

Sleep Apnea & Snoring Appliances

Sleep Without the Mask.

Custom-fit oral appliance therapy is an effective, comfortable alternative to CPAP for many patients with snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.

Call (586) 588-0435 Schedule an appointment

What is OSA?

Obstructive sleep apnea is a physical airway problem.

During sleep, the soft tissues at the back of the throat collapse, briefly blocking airflow. The brain partially wakes the body to restart breathing — sometimes hundreds of times a night — fragmenting sleep and stressing the heart.

The downstream effects are real: daytime fatigue, irritability, weight gain, high blood pressure, and increased cardiovascular risk. The good news: it's treatable.

Symptoms

Signs you may have OSA or chronic snoring.

Tap any that apply. We'll show you what to do next based on what you check.

Our approach

How oral appliance therapy works.

A custom-fit oral appliance gently positions the lower jaw forward during sleep, opening the airway. It looks similar to an athletic mouth guard, is worn only at night, and travels in a pocket. There is no mask, no machine, no hose.

Dr. Schmidt's specialty training includes award-winning research on oral appliance therapy for OSA. We take precise impressions, design the appliance for your jaw, and titrate the position over follow-up visits to optimize comfort and effectiveness — confirmed with sleep testing where indicated.

CPAP vs. Oral Appliance

A side-by-side comparison.

Feature	CPAP	Oral Appliance
Comfort while sleeping	Mask, hose, headgear	Discreet, mouth-only
Noise	Audible motor	Silent
Travel-friendly	Bulky	Pocket-sized
Partner disruption	Common	Minimal
Time to adapt	Weeks to months	A few nights to a few weeks
Indicated for severe OSA		In selected cases / combination therapy

For partners

When their snoring keeps you both awake.

A surprising number of our appointments are scheduled by frustrated bed partners. Treating OSA isn't only about the patient — it gives both people their nights back.

Common questions

Frequently asked

Often yes — sometimes alone, sometimes in combination with other therapies, in coordination with your sleep doctor. We don't promise outcomes; we evaluate, treat, and confirm with objective testing.

Related care

Other ways we can help.

Get your nights back. Schedule a sleep appointment.

Call (586) 588-0435 or send a request — we'll be in touch within one business day.

Call (586) 588-0435 Schedule an appointment