Healthy Sleep
Airway Stays Open
During normal sleep, the tongue and soft tissues in the throat stay in position. Air flows freely through the open airway. Breathing is consistent and uninterrupted.
Patient Education · Albuquerque, NM
Do I Have Sleep Apnea
Do I Have Sleep Apnea
in Albuquerque, NM?
Loud snoring, daytime fatigue, morning headaches? You may have sleep apnea. Custom oral appliances offer a quiet, comfortable alternative to CPAP machines.
★★★★★ 4.9 from 1,500+ Albuquerque patients
A Real Condition
You Might Be Tired for a Real Medical Reason
If you wake up exhausted no matter how long you sleep, snore loudly enough to wake your partner or struggle through afternoon energy crashes, sleep apnea could be the cause. It's a condition where your breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, often without you knowing it.
Most people don't realize a dentist can help. But dentists trained in dental sleep medicine can detect oral signs of sleep apnea, treat it with custom oral appliances and coordinate with sleep physicians for testing and monitoring. For mild to moderate cases (and patients who can't tolerate CPAP), oral appliance therapy is highly effective.
At Osuna Dental Care, Drs. Chris Kim and Christopher Graham screen for sleep apnea signs at every comprehensive exam. If we suspect you have it, we'll help coordinate a sleep study and discuss treatment options. Many patients tell us treating their sleep apnea was the most life-changing thing they ever did.
Free Sleep Apnea Consultation
Find out if your symptoms suggest sleep apnea and what your treatment options look like.
- ✓ Symptom assessment
- ✓ Oral exam for dental signs
- ✓ Sleep study coordination
- ✓ Treatment options reviewed
- ✓ Insurance benefits checked
CPAP alternative
Custom oral appliance therapy available
Sleep Apnea Stats
You're Definitely Not Alone
Sleep apnea is far more common than most people realize, and most cases go undiagnosed for years. Here's what the research shows.
~30M
Americans estimated to have sleep apnea
~80%
Of moderate-to-severe cases remain undiagnosed
70–90%
Effectiveness of oral appliances for mild to moderate OSA
What's Actually Happening
Open Airway vs. Blocked Airway
Sleep apnea happens when soft tissues in your throat collapse and block airflow. Here's the difference visualized.
Sleep Apnea Episode
Airway Collapses Shut
During an apnea episode, throat muscles relax too much and the tongue and soft palate fall back, blocking the airway. Breathing pauses for seconds at a time, sometimes hundreds of times per night.
Self-Recognition
8 Common Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
If you're experiencing 3 or more of these regularly, it's worth scheduling a consultation. A partner or family member often notices first.
Loud Snoring
Loud, persistent snoring most nights, often loud enough to wake a partner.
Gasping or Choking
Waking up gasping for air, choking or feeling like you can't breathe.
Daytime Fatigue
Excessive tiredness even after a full night's sleep. Falling asleep during the day.
Morning Headaches
Frequent headaches upon waking, often dull and located in the forehead area.
Dry Mouth or Sore Throat
Waking with a dry mouth or sore throat from breathing through your mouth.
Difficulty Concentrating
Brain fog, memory problems and trouble focusing throughout the day.
Waking Frequently
Waking up multiple times per night, often without remembering why.
Irritability or Mood Changes
Feeling moody, depressed or irritable due to chronic poor sleep quality.
Why a Dentist Can Help
The Dental Signs of Sleep Apnea
Many people don't realize their dentist can spot signs of sleep apnea before they've even noticed symptoms themselves. Here's what we look for at every comprehensive exam.
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Teeth Grinding (Bruxism) Worn or flattened tooth surfaces, often a body's response to airway obstruction during sleep.
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Worn or Fractured Teeth Cracks, chips or excessive wear suggest chronic clenching during sleep apnea episodes.
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Jaw Pain or TMJ Tension Soreness, stiffness or clicking in the jaw joint linked to nighttime grinding.
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Scalloped Tongue Tongue with imprints from teeth pressing against it (often signals an oversized tongue).
-
Dry Mouth on Waking Chronic dry mouth from sleeping with the mouth open, common with airway issues.
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Small or Recessed Jaw A small lower jaw or recessed chin can predispose to airway collapse during sleep.
We Screen at Every Comprehensive Exam
If we notice these signs, we'll let you know and discuss next steps. Our role is to detect and treat with oral appliance therapy. Diagnosis itself comes from a sleep study by a sleep physician.
Book Comprehensive Exam
Types of Sleep Apnea
3 Types You Should Know About
Not all sleep apnea is the same. The type determines the right treatment approach.
Obstructive (OSA)
Throat muscles relax and physically block the airway during sleep. The most common type, treatable with oral appliance therapy or CPAP. This is what dental sleep medicine focuses on.
Central (CSA)
Brain fails to send proper signals to breathing muscles. Less common, often related to underlying medical conditions. Requires medical management, not oral appliance therapy.
Mixed/Complex
A combination of obstructive and central sleep apnea. Treatment depends on which type is dominant. Typically requires both medical management and possibly an oral appliance.
Treatment Comparison
Oral Appliance vs. CPAP
Both are effective treatments. The right one depends on the severity of your apnea and what you can comfortably tolerate.
Custom Oral Appliance
Small custom-fit dental device worn while sleeping
Best For
Mild to moderate OSA, snoring, CPAP-intolerant patients
- Quiet, no machine noise or hose
- Small and travel-friendly
- No mask, no pressurized air
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Custom-fit by your dentist
- Most patients tolerate well
- Not effective for severe OSA
CPAP Machine
Continuous positive airway pressure machine with mask
Best For
Moderate to severe OSA, all types of sleep apnea
- Highly effective for severe cases
- Treats all severity levels
- Well-studied gold standard
- Bulky machine and hoses
- Mask can be uncomfortable
- Loud for some users
- ~30 to 50% of patients can't tolerate it
Why It Matters
5 Health Risks of Untreated Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea isn't just about being tired. The repeated breathing pauses stress the body and dramatically increase risk of serious conditions.
2x
Heart Disease
Doubled risk of heart attack and arrhythmia
2–4x
Stroke
Significantly elevated stroke risk
3x
High Blood Pressure
Sleep apnea is a major cause of hypertension
2x
Type 2 Diabetes
Linked to insulin resistance and weight gain
7x
Accident Risk
From daytime drowsiness while driving
Your Path to Better Sleep
4 Steps to Sleep Apnea Treatment
Here's exactly what happens from your first consultation to having your appliance fitted and adjusted.
1
Initial Consultation
Discuss symptoms, dental signs and risk factors. Determine if a sleep study is needed.
2
Sleep Study Referral
We coordinate with a sleep physician for at-home or in-lab sleep study to formally diagnose.
3
Custom Appliance Fitting
Take impressions and create a custom-fit oral appliance designed for your mouth and condition.
4
Follow-Up & Adjustment
Fine-tune fit and effectiveness over several visits. Coordinate with sleep team for monitoring.
Why Osuna Dental Care
Trusted Sleep Apnea Care in Albuquerque
Family-owned since 1993. Two experienced doctors. Sleep medicine collaboration. Custom oral appliances tailored to your needs.
30+
Years in Albuquerque
Family-owned and operated since 1993, with deep community roots.
4.9★
Google Rating
Over 1,500 verified reviews from real patients across New Mexico.
Custom
Oral Appliances
Custom-fit appliances designed specifically for your mouth and condition.
Team
Sleep Medicine Collab
We coordinate with sleep physicians for testing and ongoing care.
FAQ
Common Questions About Sleep Apnea
Quick answers to what Albuquerque patients ask us most. Don't see yours? Just call.
How do I know if I have sleep apnea?
Common signs include loud snoring, gasping or choking during sleep, excessive daytime fatigue, morning headaches, difficulty concentrating, waking suddenly at night and dry mouth in the morning. Many people don't realize they have it until a partner notices breathing pauses. A formal diagnosis requires a sleep study (polysomnogram), which can be done at home or in a sleep lab. We can refer you for testing.
Can a dentist treat sleep apnea?
Yes. Dentists trained in dental sleep medicine treat mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea with custom oral appliances. These devices reposition the jaw to keep the airway open during sleep. Diagnosis itself is done by a sleep physician through a sleep study. Once diagnosed, dentists fit and adjust the oral appliance and coordinate with the sleep medicine team.
What's the difference between an oral appliance and CPAP?
CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) is a machine that pushes pressurized air through a mask to keep the airway open. Highly effective but bulky and many patients can't tolerate it. Oral appliances are small custom-fit devices worn in the mouth that reposition the jaw to keep the airway open. Quiet, portable and easier to tolerate. Best for mild-to-moderate cases. Severe cases typically need CPAP.
Is an oral appliance for sleep apnea covered by insurance?
Most medical insurance plans (not dental) cover custom oral appliances for sleep apnea when prescribed for a diagnosed case. Coverage typically requires a sleep study, formal diagnosis from a sleep physician and documentation that CPAP was tried or is medically inappropriate. We help verify benefits and submit medical insurance claims for sleep appliance therapy.
How much does an oral appliance for sleep apnea cost?
Custom oral appliances for sleep apnea typically cost $1,800 to $3,500 in Albuquerque, including consultation, custom fitting, follow-up adjustments and the device itself. Most medical insurance covers a significant portion when sleep apnea is formally diagnosed. We provide itemized estimates and benefits verification before treatment.
What are the dental signs of sleep apnea?
Your dentist may notice teeth grinding (bruxism), worn or fractured teeth, jaw pain or tension, scalloped tongue (tongue with imprints from teeth), small or recessed jaw, large tonsils or tongue, dry mouth and gum recession. These don't diagnose sleep apnea but they're important clues. We screen for these signs at every comprehensive exam.
Can sleep apnea cause health problems?
Yes, untreated sleep apnea is linked to serious health risks including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke (2 to 4 times higher risk), type 2 diabetes, depression, weight gain and increased accident risk from daytime fatigue. Treatment significantly reduces these risks. Don't ignore the symptoms.
Do I need a sleep study?
Yes. A sleep study (polysomnogram) is required to formally diagnose sleep apnea and determine its severity. The study can be done at home with a portable monitor or in a sleep lab. We can refer you to a sleep physician for testing. Once diagnosed, we fit your oral appliance and coordinate ongoing care with the sleep medicine team.
How long does it take to get used to an oral appliance?
Most patients adjust within 2 to 4 weeks. Initial mild discomfort, increased salivation or jaw soreness is common but typically resolves quickly. We schedule follow-up visits to fine-tune the fit and titrate the jaw position for maximum effectiveness. Most patients report feeling significantly more rested within a few weeks.
Will an oral appliance stop my snoring?
Usually yes. Oral appliances reduce or eliminate snoring in most patients by keeping the airway open. Snoring is caused by airway obstruction, which the appliance addresses. Even patients without diagnosed sleep apnea sometimes use oral appliances specifically for snoring relief.
Do you serve patients outside Albuquerque?
Yes. We see sleep apnea patients from across the Albuquerque metro area including Northeast Heights, Academy Acres North, Rio Rancho, Corrales, North Valley and surrounding New Mexico communities. Our office is at 5900 Cubero Dr NE STE B, Albuquerque, NM 87109 with easy parking and convenient appointment times.
Better Sleep Could Change Everything.
Book a free sleep apnea consultation at Osuna Dental Care. We'll review your symptoms, screen for dental signs and discuss whether oral appliance therapy could work for you. Most patients say treating their sleep apnea was life-changing.