Sleep Apnea & Snoring

Breathe easier. Sleep through the night.

Over 80% of sleep apnea cases remain undiagnosed. We identify the cause of your snoring or disrupted sleep and build a treatment plan around it.

Restful sleep is the goal of treatment at Encino Center for Sleep and TMJ Disorders
Understanding Sleep Apnea

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is an involuntary cessation of breathing that occurs during sleep. There are three types: obstructive, central, and mixed. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common — patients stop or have limited breathing during sleep, sometimes hundreds of times a night.

Snoring is the vibration of respiratory structures caused by obstructed air movement during breathing while asleep. It's more common in men, people who are overweight, and older adults. Occasional snoring may be harmless, but constant snoring can affect the health of both the patient and their partner.

Treatment

Oral appliance therapy — a comfortable alternative to CPAP

Custom-fitted oral appliances advance the jaw and keep the tongue from blocking the airway, while tightening throat muscles to keep the airway open during sleep. Research now recognizes oral appliance therapy as a first-line treatment, equal to CPAP in mean disease alleviation across severities from simple snoring to severe OSA.

Oral Appliance Therapy

A custom device resembling an athletic mouthguard, worn during sleep to keep the airway open. High patient compliance, minimal disruption.

Positional Therapy & Lifestyle

Preventing back-sleeping, supporting weight loss, and reducing alcohol, smoking, and medications that worsen sleep-disordered breathing.

Co-Therapy & Surgical Options

For more complex cases, combined therapies or surgical airway procedures may be considered alongside your physician.