If you are one of millions of Americans who suffer from sleep apnea, then treatment is crucial for your health. Without some kind of intervention, you could stop breathing hundreds of times a night, causing you to wake up exhausted in the morning.

The most common treatment for mild to severe sleep apnea is the use of a Continuous Positive Airflow Pressure (CPAP) machine, which provides slightly pressurized air through a mask that keeps the your airway open. Though CPAP is a very successful intervention, you may find the mask and its straps uncomfortable to wear. If you can’t find the right adjustment or have trouble falling asleep, you may want to try another solution for sleep apnea.

Light and moderate cases of sleep apnea respond well to a custom-made sleep oral appliance, which your dentist can fabricate for you. Several different sleep oral appliances are on the market, each of which goes in the mouth and keeps the airway open throughout the night.

If wearing a CPAP interferes with your sleep, ask your dentist about other oral device options for sleep apnea.