Sleep Apnea Therapy in Spearfish, SD

Understanding Sleep Apnea

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a condition where the airway becomes blocked during sleep, often due to relaxed throat muscles or the position of the tongue. These blockages can interrupt your breathing dozens or even hundreds of times per night, leading to poor sleep quality and serious health risks.

Common signs include:

• Loud, frequent snoring
  
• Waking up choking or gasping
  
• Morning headaches or dry mouth
  
• Daytime fatigue or brain fog
  
• Difficulty concentrating
  
• Mood changes or irritability
  
• High blood pressure or heart concerns
  

Left untreated, OSA can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and other long-term health issues — which makes early diagnosis and treatment essential.

Comfortable Alternatives to CPAP

For patients with mild to moderate OSA, a CPAP machine isn’t the only solution. Our Spearfish office provides oral appliance therapy using a custom-made device that gently repositions the lower jaw or tongue to keep the airway open throughout the night.

Benefits of oral appliances include:

• Quiet and easy to wear
  
• Small and portable — great for travel
  
• No hoses, cords, or electricity
  
• Often covered by medical insurance
  
• Fully customized for your comfort and bite
  

This solution is especially helpful for patients who also suffer from bruxism, since oral appliances can offer dual protection from both grinding and airway obstruction.

We work with your sleep physician to ensure the appliance is appropriate based on your diagnosis and to help monitor results over time.

Snore Guards vs. Sleep Apnea Appliances

Not every patient who snores has sleep apnea. That’s why we also offer snore guards — simple, comfortable devices made to reduce or eliminate snoring for patients without a formal apnea diagnosis.

Snore guards:

• Are worn at night to reposition the jaw or hold the tongue forward
  
• Help reduce soft tissue vibration that causes snoring
  
• Are custom-made for maximum comfort and effectiveness
  
• Do not treat apnea — but are great for isolated snoring
  

If you're unsure whether you're dealing with sleep apnea or just disruptive snoring, we can help guide you toward the right evaluation and solution.

What to Expect from Treatment

1. Screening & Sleep Study Referral
   We screen for signs of apnea and refer you for a sleep study (if needed) to get a clear diagnosis before moving forward with treatment.
   
2. Custom Appliance Design
   Using digital scans or impressions, we create a custom-fit oral appliance or snore guard designed to match your bite and airway.
   
3. Appliance Fitting & Adjustment
   Once your device is ready, we’ll fine-tune the fit for comfort and walk you through wear and care instructions.
   
4. Follow-Up & Long-Term Support
   We monitor your progress and comfort, and work with your sleep physician as needed to ensure your treatment remains effective.
   

Patients who grind their teeth while they sleep may also benefit from occlusal guards, which can be integrated into sleep appliances in some cases.