Improve Your Sleep and Quality of Life with Sleep Apnea Treatment 

Poor, interrupted sleep can make you feel tired and groggy throughout the day. In addition, sleep breathing disorders like sleep apnea can also compromise your overall health

At Kenneth W. Coffey, DDS, we offer various types of sleep apnea treatment to help you get a better night's sleep and improve your quality of life. 

Why should you get screened for sleep apnea? 

Sleeping man

Treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea Can Help Your Overall Health

Improved Sleep

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a blockage in your airway that restricts airflow and causes you to wake up periodically during the night. Treating the condition can help you and your bed partner get better sleep. 

Improved Well-Being 

By improving the quality of your sleep, you can feel better-rested and more energetic throughout the day. You may notice positive changes in your mood, ability to concentrate, and overall quality of life. 

Improved Health 

Sleep apnea has been linked to serious diseases including liver disease, high blood pressure, and a weakened immune system. Treating your sleep disorder can promote your overall health and even lengthen your lifespan. 

Here's how sleep apnea treatment works...

Video: Oral Appliance Therapy Keeps Your Airway Open

Just how effective is sleep apnea therapy?

A Simple Treatment Can Make a Big Difference

sleep apnea treatment infostat

*According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

How do you know if you have sleep apnea?

There Are Various Symptoms That Relate to Sleep Issues

Breathing Problems

Your bed partner may notice that you snort, choke, or gasp for air during sleep.


Patients with sleep apnea often experience drowsiness during the day.

Dry Mouth

Since snoring often accompanies sleep apnea, you may wake up with dry mouth or a sore throat.

Mood Issues

Lack of sleep can lead to depression, irritability, and moodiness.

Attention Difficulties

People with sleep apnea often have trouble focusing or report issues with their memories


With sleep apnea, you may also experience headaches upon waking.

Snoring Is a Common Sign of Sleep Apnea

While not every patient who snores has sleep apnea, snoring is a common symptom of the condition. If others have noticed that you snore, it is worth making an appointment to have your symptoms assessed.

Based on the concerns you experience, Dr. Coffey may refer you to a sleep specialist. The doctor can perform a sleep study or provide you with a home sleep test to confirm the diagnosis. 

Wondering about your treatment options?

The Severity of Your Sleep Disorder Determines the Type of Treatment You Need

How Severe Is Your Sleep Apnea?

During your sleep study, the sleep specialists will identify whether your sleep apnea is mild, moderate, or severe. The level of severity impacts the treatment options available to you. For example, oral appliances are typically recommended for mild to moderate sleep apnea.

Can You Commit to Changing Your Lifestyle?

For some patients, making changes such as losing weight or quitting smoking may improve their sleep apnea symptoms. However, you must be able to commit to adapting your lifestyle to see results.

Why is sleep apnea a problem?

Lack of Sleep Leads to Many Health Issues

Sleep apnea is a disorder that causes breathing to stop momentarily throughout the night. These cessations can occur as often as 30 times an hour. These episodes cause sufferers to wake up briefly, so their sleep is interrupted again and again. This lack of quality sleep not only leads to problems during their waking hours, but also an increased risk of heart disease.

man lying awake

Take a look at oral appliance therapy for sleep apnea...

oral appliance therapy

Understanding the Difference between Oral Appliances and CPAPs

Both oral appliances and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices work by keeping your airway open during sleep.

While oral appliances reposition the jaw to maintain breathing, CPAP uses a mask that supplies pressurized air. This air flows continuously or intermittently to prevent the airway from collapsing during sleep.

More Information About Sleep Apnea 

Snoring is annoying, but it can sometimes be a sign of a more serious problem: sleep apnea. This common sleep disorder can disrupt both you and your loved one’s rest and trigger a cascade of health problems. Dr. Coffey offers conservative therapies at his Chicago, IL-area practice to alleviate these effects. Often, a simple oral appliance can help you sleep more peacefully throughout the night. 

Types of Sleep Apnea

There are three different types of sleep apnea:

  • Obstructive: The most common form of the condition, obstructive sleep apnea is caused by a physical blockage of the airway. In most cases, this obstruction is caused by the tongue or collapsed soft tissue at the back of the throat. Obstructive sleep apnea is often characterized by loud snoring.
    Illustration of sleep apnea vs. normal airway
  • Central: Rather than a physical obstruction, the cause of this form is neurological: the brain fails to send a signal to the muscles that control your breath. Because there is no blockage, though, snoring is an uncommon symptom. 
  • Complex: This form of the condition is a combination of obstructive and central sleep apnea. 

Dentists can only provide intervention for obstructive sleep apnea. Central sleep apnea requires the attention of a specialist.

What Treatments Are Available?

Once you receive a diagnosis, you can return to our office to discuss available treatment options. 

Oral Appliance Therapy

This simple customized device fits over the teeth and keeps the throat open at night by bringing the jaw forward. It is usually recommended for patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. 


CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure, relies on a mask which delivers air to keep the upper airways open. Although it produces the most reliable results, sleeping with a mask can be uncomfortable and patient compliance is relatively low. Sometimes, this option is combined with an oral appliance.


In more severe cases of obstructive sleep apnea, the doctor can refer you to a specialist for the surgical removal of tissue blocking the airway or for repositioning of the jaw. Depending on the specific cause of your sleep apnea, weight loss or treatment for TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder can also alleviate symptoms. 

Dr. Kenneth Coffey

Dr. Coffey

Dr. Coffey has been practicing dentistry since 1986. His goal is to ensure you feel excited about, and empowered by, your results. He is proud to be affiliated with a variety of organizations, including:

  • The American Equilibration Society
  • The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
  • The American Dental Associations

For more information about our services, contact us online or call (708) 403-7888 today.

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