Airway & Sleep

Oral Appliance Therapy for Sleep Apnea and Snoring in Los Angeles

If you snore, wake up tired, or have been told you have sleep apnea but can't stand your CPAP machine, an oral sleep appliance may help. At Textbook Orthodontics, Dr. Nathan Nourian, a specialist orthodontist focused on airway health, makes custom oral appliances that hold your lower jaw slightly forward while you sleep. This helps keep your airway open, so you and your partner can sleep better.

Book Your Free Sleep Appliance Consultation

FDA-cleared appliance
Free consultation
0% financing

Panthera D-SAD custom oral sleep appliance for sleep apnea and snoring

Know the signs

What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) happens when the soft tissues in your throat relax during sleep and block your airway. Your breathing stops and starts again and again through the night, often without you knowing it. Common signs include:

Loud, frequent snoring
Gasping or choking during sleep
Waking up tired even after a full night in bed
Morning headaches or a dry mouth
Daytime sleepiness, trouble focusing, or irritability
A partner noticing you stop breathing at night

Untreated sleep apnea is linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, and daytime accidents, so it's worth taking seriously.

How it works

How an Oral Sleep Appliance Works

An oral sleep appliance is a custom mouthpiece you wear only at night. It gently moves your lower jaw forward, which keeps your tongue and throat tissues from collapsing into your airway. It is quiet, small, and easy to travel with. There's no mask, hose, or machine.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine recommend oral appliance therapy for adults with obstructive sleep apnea who can't tolerate CPAP or prefer an alternative, and for adults who snore.

No maskNo hoseNo machineTravel-friendly

The appliance

Our Appliance: Panthera D-SAD

We use the Panthera D-SAD, an FDA-cleared oral appliance for snoring and mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. It is designed with computer software and 3D printed from medical-grade nylon. That makes it:

Custom-fit

Made from a digital 3D scan of your teeth. No goopy impressions.

Thin and light

One of the smallest, lightest sleep appliances available, so it's comfortable to wear all night.

Durable

Strong medical-grade nylon, free of BPA and resin.

Adjustable

Interchangeable connectors let Dr. Nourian move your jaw forward in small steps until your snoring and symptoms improve.

Specialist care

Why See an Orthodontist for a Sleep Appliance?

A sleep appliance moves your jaw and puts pressure on your teeth, so the person fitting it should understand bite and jaw function. Dr. Nourian is a specialist orthodontist who finished a 3-year residency in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics and focuses on airway-focused orthodontics. He checks your bite, jaw joints, and teeth before treatment and follows up to protect your bite over time.

Dr. Nathan Nourian, specialist orthodontist in Los Angeles

Orthodontist checking a patient's jaw and bite before treatment

Step by step

What to Expect

Sleep evaluation. Sleep apnea must be diagnosed by a physician. If you haven't had a sleep study, we can help you arrange one, often a simple home sleep test.

Consultation and 3D scan. Dr. Nourian checks your teeth, gums, bite, and jaw joints to make sure an oral appliance is a good fit for you.

Fitting. Your custom Panthera appliance is made from your scan. We fit it, show you how to wear and clean it, and set your starting position.

Adjustments and follow-up. We fine-tune the appliance over a few visits until your symptoms improve. Your physician may order a follow-up sleep test to confirm it's working.

Who Is a Good Candidate?

Oral appliances work best for adults with snoring or mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, and for people with any level of sleep apnea who can't use CPAP. You'll need enough healthy teeth to hold the appliance. It may not be right for people with severe gum disease, too few teeth, or certain jaw joint (TMJ) problems. Dr. Nourian will tell you honestly whether it's a good option for you.

Cost and Insurance

Oral appliance therapy for sleep apnea is often covered by medical insurance, not dental insurance. Our team will check your benefits before you start. We also offer 0% financing and low monthly payment plans, and your consultation is free.

Questions

Sleep Appliance FAQs

Is an oral appliance as good as CPAP?

CPAP is very effective when it's used every night, but many people stop using it. An oral appliance is easier to wear, so many patients use it more consistently. For mild to moderate sleep apnea it is a recommended option. For severe sleep apnea, your physician will help decide what's best.

Will it stop my snoring?

For most patients, an oral appliance greatly reduces or stops snoring. We adjust it until you and your partner notice a difference.

Can I get an appliance without a sleep study?

For snoring alone, we can evaluate you at your consultation. If sleep apnea is suspected, a physician needs to diagnose it first. We can help you arrange a sleep test.

Will it change my bite?

Some people notice small bite changes over time. As an orthodontist, Dr. Nourian monitors your bite at follow-up visits and gives you a simple morning routine to help keep your bite where it belongs.