Sleep Apnea Treatment in Westlake Village, CA
Breathe Through the Night. Wake Up Actually Rested.
You sleep 8 hours and still wake up exhausted. Your partner says you snore, gasp, or stop breathing, and maybe they've moved to the guest room. Or you already have a diagnosis, and the CPAP mask ends up on the nightstand. Our sleep apnea treatment in Westlake Village uses a custom oral appliance that helps keep your airway open while you sleep, with no mask, hose, or machine.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes breathing to repeatedly stop and restart during the night. The most common type, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), happens when the soft tissue at the back of the throat relaxes and blocks the airway. Each pause lowers oxygen and briefly wakes the brain, often without you noticing, which is why people with OSA can sleep a full night and still feel drained. Common signs include loud snoring, gasping or choking during sleep, morning headaches, dry mouth, and daytime fatigue.
Snoring alone doesn't confirm sleep apnea. A sleep study does.
How Does an Oral Appliance Treat Sleep Apnea?
A custom oral appliance treats obstructive sleep apnea by gently moving your lower jaw forward while you sleep, which keeps the airway from collapsing.
It looks similar to a mouthguard and is fitted to your teeth and bite. It's often recommended for mild to moderate OSA and for patients who can't tolerate CPAP. It's adjustable, so the fit can be fine-tuned over time.
What Brings Patients In
Many patients first learn about sleep apnea at a routine dental visit, not a doctor's office. Worn teeth, a scalloped tongue, or a narrow airway can all show up in the dental chair. That kind of attention is what Douglas C. from Newbury Park values most. "What helps is to have a doctor like Dr. Looyzadeh who sees your teeth and sees the needs," he said. "She took an interest in my teeth."
How Sleep Apnea Treatment Works
- Talk through your sleep. Dr. Melina reviews your symptoms and any existing sleep study.
- Confirm the diagnosis. If you haven't had a sleep study, the office can guide you through in-lab or at-home testing.
- Fit your appliance. A custom appliance is made from impressions of your teeth and fitted to your bite.
- Follow up. Adjustments and a follow-up sleep test confirm the appliance is actually improving your breathing.
Why Westlake Village Dentist for Sleep Apnea
Dr. Melina Looyzadeh, DDS graduated with honors from the USC Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry in 2010 and has nearly 17 years of experience. She explains every option simply and honestly, including when an oral appliance isn't the right fit.
Treatment is coordinated with your physician, and follow-up visits check both your breathing and your bite. Quieter nights aren't the goal on their own. Breathing that's actually improved is.
What Our Patients Say
Westlake Village Dentist holds a 4.9-star rating across 190+ Google reviews from patients in Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, and Agoura Hills.
Frequently Asked Questions
For mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, an oral appliance can be an effective alternative, especially for patients who struggle to use CPAP every night. A treatment only works if you use it, and many patients find an appliance easier to wear consistently.
Not always, but it can be. Snoring with gasping, choking, or pauses in breathing is a common sign of obstructive sleep apnea. A sleep study is the only way to know for sure.
Some patients feel mild jaw or tooth soreness at first, which usually eases within a few weeks. Over time, an appliance can cause small bite changes, which is why Dr. Melina checks your bite at regular follow-up visits.
Not necessarily. Quieter sleep is a good sign, but it doesn't prove your breathing is normal. A follow-up sleep test confirms whether the appliance is controlling your apnea.
Yes. Westlake Village Dentist offers oral appliance therapy and accepts all PPO plans. Some medical plans also cover appliances, and you'll get a written cost breakdown before treatment.
Wake Up Rested, Not Just Out of Bed
More hours in bed won't fix a night of interrupted breathing. A custom oral appliance can help you breathe steadily, sleep through the night, and get through the day without dragging. Book a visit, and Dr. Melina will help you find out whether it's the right fit for you.