FAQs
Florham Park, NJ

Snoring occurs when soft tissues in the mouth and throat partially obstruct the airway, causing vibrations during breathing. On the other hand, sleep apnea is characterized by a complete blockage of the airway, resulting in pauses in breathing. While snoring can be a precursor to sleep apnea, it is not always a definitive indicator. Individuals who snore regularly should consider seeking medical advice to rule out the potential presence of sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea can present in different ways. The most common form is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which occurs when soft tissues in the mouth and throat collapse, causing breathing to stop during sleep. On the other hand, central sleep apnea (CSA) is less common and results from the brain not sending proper breathing signals during sleep. Complex sleep apnea is a combination of both OSA and CSA.

There are two main ways to start the diagnostic process for sleep concerns. You can either talk to your family doctor who may refer you to a sleep specialist, or you can take our quick STOP-BANG Assessment with eight simple "Yes or No" questions. This assessment will help determine your risk for sleep apnea so we can offer guidance quickly. Submit your assessment and we will be in touch within 24 hours to provide further assistance.

Upon diagnosis, it's crucial to schedule a consultation with Dental Sleep Medicine Of NJ to explore your treatment options. We offer oral appliance therapy and can guide you through combined therapies for comprehensive care.

The effectiveness of oral appliance therapy compared to CPAP therapy can differ from person to person. While oral appliance therapy is often just as effective, if not more so, than CPAP therapy because of its comfort and higher likelihood of regular use, severe cases of sleep apnea may necessitate CPAP therapy or a combination of treatments. After a consultation, our team can recommend the best treatment plan for your specific needs.

If you require sleep apnea therapy, your medical insurance or Medicare may help cover some of the expenses. Additionally, dental insurance could offer coverage for oral appliance therapy. Our insurance coordinator is ready to help you navigate the most affordable options for your treatment.