FAQs

Snoring frequently accompanies sleep apnea but it is not always an indicator of whether this sleep condition is present. However, snoring can indicate that bulky throat tissue could potentially obstruct airways – especially if patients have certain lifestyle factors that contribute to sleep apnea. Fortunately, the treatment we offer for sleep apnea and snoring is the same. By prescribing a custom oral appliance, the diameter of the airway can be widened to prevent the sounds of snoring as well as episodes of apnea. These oral appliances are soft and comfortable to wear. They work by positioning the lower jaw slightly forward so that the airway is no longer obstructed.

Anyone of any age can have sleep apnea. Even though snoring can accompany sleep apnea, it is not always a symptom of this sleep disorder. For this reason, Dr. Vandervelden at West Michigan CPAP Alternatives will set up a sleep consultation for you with a board-certified sleep physician using telehealth. The board-certified sleep physician may recommend an at-home sleep study in the comfort of your own bed. Our at-home sleep tests are accurate, convenient, and cost-effective. If we find that sleep apnea is present or that snoring is obstructing one’s quality of life, we will provide treatment recommendations.

The exact cause of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is different for each person. Anyone can develop it, regardless of age or gender. The most common risk factors include:

• Being over age 40
• Having a large neck (over 17 inches in men, 16 inches for women)
• Being overweight – approximately half of OSA sufferers are overweight
• Being male – more men than women suffer from OSA
• Having a large tongue or small jaw
• Enlarged tonsils and adenoids (particularly in children)
• Using alcohol or sedatives which relax the muscles in the airway
• Nasal obstruction due to a deviated septum or sinus and allergy problems

While CPAP is very effective in treating sleep apnea, many people cannot tolerate the discomfort of the mask and the inconvenience and noise of the machine. Therefore, a high percentage of users have difficulty or will not wear them.

An oral appliance is a popular alternative to the CPAP. This device is small, portable, fits more comfortably, and in many cases works just as well as CPAP.

Dr. Vandervelden is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine and specializes exclusively in treating obstructive sleep apnea. Unlike most providers, he requires extensive sleep testing—typically 30 nights total over the course of 5 years—to determine the optimal lower jaw position, tailoring treatment to each patient’s needs and adjusting as sleep apnea progresses. Regular follow-up testing at 3 and 5 years ensures ongoing effectiveness, with further adjustments made as necessary. This comprehensive approach minimizes complications and reduces the likelihood of patients needing to return to CPAP or consider surgery, distinguishing Dr. Vandervelden’s care from that of other providers.

Few providers nationwide possess Dr. Vandervelden’s depth of expertise and commitment to patient care. Insurance does not cover the comprehensive, multi-night sleep assessments he conducts—these assessments often span up to 30 nights using advanced, FDA-cleared at-home sleep testing technology over a five-year period. As these specialized services are not reimbursed by insurance, Dr. Vandervelden operates out-of-network with all insurance providers and is not enrolled in Medicare. Patients should expect to pay out of pocket for Dr. Vandervelden’s services.

The majority of patients will adapt to their custom oral appliance in less than a month. It will take some time to get used to having a device in your mouth while you sleep. There is often some mild discomfort initially, but this goes away after a few weeks of wearing the appliance. Patients tell us that getting used to an oral appliance was much easier than getting used to a CPAP.

The appliance should be replaced every 5 years. Dr. Vandervelden’s concierge care program covers all services for this period, including a repeat sleep study and a new custom appliance if indicated. Appliances older than 5 years risk breakage, which may cause injury, and regular updates ensure optimal fit and benefit as sleep apnea progresses and technology advances.

Your teeth may shift slightly with long term use of a custom oral appliance and may result in minor bite changes. Typically, this is not worrisome and does not cause problems or discomfort. Under Dr. Vandervelden’s expert care, the risk of bite changes is minimized. This is also minimized with the use of a custom morning re-positioning device which Dr. Vandervelden includes with your custom oral appliance.

The most common side effect is mild morning muscle soreness that usually goes away after a short time. Some patients may experience either dry mouth or excessive salivation. As mentioned above, minor tooth movement occurs in some patients, but is minimized under Dr. Vandervelden’s expert care.

In most cases, a custom oral appliance that is expertly made by Dr. Vandervelden will not damage but instead improve the health of your jaw joint and muscles. Many of our patients experience an improvement in jaw joint and muscle soreness after wearing an oral appliance long term. This is possible in part due to Dr. Vandervelden’s expertise in positioning the jaw in right position that is both therapeutic and natural. When the jaw is positioned correctly by an expert like Dr. Vandervelden, the jaw joint is stabilized and in a more protected position. In short, the jaw joint and muscles are often happier in this protected position and therefore do not cause damage to the joint but instead provides a benefit. This is another problem with the cheap oral appliances that you can buy online. Incorrect jaw positions often occur with these “do it yourself” devices and can cause permanent damage and discomfort to the jaw joints and muscles.

Obstructive sleep apnea in unlikely to decrease with age; therefore your oral appliance will probably be a lifelong therapy. However, certain wellness factors such as significant weight loss may improve your symptoms.

Custom Oral Appliance Therapy is fundamentally distinct from Mandibular Advancement Devices (MADs) available online. Unlike MADs, which are offered without professional oversight or before-and-after sleep testing, custom therapy involves personalized fitting and ongoing monitoring to ensure clinical effectiveness. Online-purchased MADs, including over-the-counter snore guards, are not FDA-approved for the treatment of sleep apnea and have been shown to be significantly less effective than professionally managed, custom oral appliances.