Sleep Apnea Treatment in St. Louis Park, MN

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a common but potentially serious condition where the airway becomes partially or completely blocked during sleep. This leads to repeated pauses in breathing, reducing oxygen levels and causing frequent awakenings — often without the person even realizing it.

Common signs and symptoms include:

• Loud, chronic snoring
• Gasping or choking during sleep
• Daytime fatigue or drowsiness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Morning headaches
• Dry mouth or sore throat
• Irritability or mood changes

If left untreated, sleep apnea can increase the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and stroke. That’s why early evaluation and treatment are key to long-term health.

How Dentists Can Help with Sleep Apnea

While many people associate sleep apnea treatment with CPAP machines, dentists like Dr. Gabe De Los Rios and Dr. Robert Laing are uniquely positioned to offer a more comfortable alternative: custom oral appliance therapy.

These appliances reposition the lower jaw and tongue during sleep to keep the airway open and reduce the number of breathing interruptions throughout the night. For many patients, an oral appliance is easier to wear, travel with, and maintain than CPAP therapy.

At Creekside Dental, we work in collaboration with your primary care physician or sleep specialist to determine if oral appliance therapy is right for you.

Benefits of Oral Appliance Therapy

Custom oral appliances are a proven treatment for patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea or those who cannot tolerate CPAP. Benefits include:

• Improved sleep quality
• Reduced snoring
• Less daytime fatigue
• Compact, silent, and travel-friendly device
• Better compliance compared to CPAP
• Non-invasive and reversible treatment

Each appliance is custom-fitted using our digital scanning technology, ensuring optimal comfort and retention throughout the night.

The Treatment Process at Creekside Dental

We make your path to better sleep as simple and seamless as possible. Here’s what to expect:

1. Screening and Evaluation
   We’ll review your sleep history, discuss symptoms, and examine your airway. If you haven’t had a formal diagnosis, we may refer you for a sleep study.
2. Digital Impressions
   Using advanced digital impression technology, we’ll create a precise model of your teeth and jaw to fabricate a custom oral appliance.
3. Fitting and Adjustments
   Once your device is ready, we’ll ensure it fits comfortably and functions properly. Adjustments may be made to improve retention and effectiveness.
4. Follow-Up and Monitoring
   We’ll monitor your progress, address any concerns, and work with your sleep physician as needed to ensure your treatment remains effective over time.

Is Sleep Apnea Treatment Right for You?

You may be a good candidate for oral appliance therapy if:

• You’ve been diagnosed with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea
• You cannot tolerate or prefer not to use a CPAP machine
• You are seeking a quiet, portable alternative for travel
• You snore heavily or have symptoms of airway obstruction

Our goal is to help you breathe easier and sleep better without relying on complicated equipment or invasive procedures. For many patients, oral appliance therapy significantly improves quality of life — often after just a few nights of use.

Local Care with a Whole-Body Focus

At Creekside Dental in St. Louis Park, we believe dental health is closely connected to your overall well-being. That’s why we’ve incorporated airway assessment and sleep apnea support into our broader general and preventive care.

Our personalized approach allows us to offer integrated solutions that fit your health goals, lifestyle, and comfort level.

We also support patients from Edina, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Richfield, and nearby Minneapolis neighborhoods — providing compassionate, modern care for the full spectrum of dental and sleep-related concerns.