General & Cosmetic Dentistry
The office of Keith A. Kye, DDS, FAGD serves the neighborhoods of Huntersville, Lake Norman, Davidson and Cornelius.
A restful night’s sleep is a foundation for good health — it improves mood, sharpens memory, and supports the body’s ability to repair itself. Yet millions of adults experience interruptions in breathing during sleep that reduce oxygen flow and fragment restorative rest. At the office of Keith A. Kye, DDS, FAGD, we help patients understand how sleep-disordered breathing affects daily life and offer dental sleep solutions that work alongside medical care to improve sleep quality.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep-related breathing disorder in which the airway repeatedly narrows or becomes blocked during sleep. These interruptions — known as apneas and hypopneas — cause brief awakenings that prevent the deeper stages of sleep needed for physical and mental restoration. While snoring is a frequent symptom, not everyone who snores has OSA, and not every person with OSA will recognize the problem on their own.
Anatomy and physiology play a central role: relaxed muscles in the throat and soft palate can collapse into the airway when lying down, especially in adults with certain jaw shapes, enlarged tissues, or nasal congestion. Risk factors such as excess weight, age, neck circumference, and certain anatomical traits increase the likelihood of obstruction, but OSA can also affect people without obvious risk markers.
Because untreated OSA disrupts oxygen delivery and sleep continuity, it is associated with daytime fatigue, impaired concentration, and elevated risk for cardiovascular and metabolic complications. Recognizing the condition early and coordinating care with sleep medicine professionals helps reduce these long-term risks.
Sleep apnea often announces itself through nighttime behaviors observed by a bed partner: loud, persistent snoring, frequent gasping or choking, and visible pauses in breathing. Patients may wake suddenly feeling short of breath or with a dry mouth. These nocturnal events are important clues and should prompt a professional evaluation when they occur regularly.
Daytime symptoms are equally informative. Many people with OSA report morning headaches, persistent sleepiness, trouble concentrating, mood changes, and reduced energy despite spending sufficient hours in bed. These signs reflect fragmented sleep architecture and are not simply the result of being overtired.
Because symptoms can be subtle or attributed to other causes, it’s important for patients to share observations from partners and to keep a sleep history. Documenting how often symptoms occur, sleep patterns, and daytime effects gives clinicians a clearer picture and helps determine whether further testing is warranted.
Diagnosis typically begins with a medical evaluation by a physician or sleep specialist who will review symptoms, medical history, and risk factors. A formal sleep study — either in a sleep laboratory or using a validated home sleep test — measures breathing patterns, oxygen levels, and sleep stages to identify the frequency and severity of apneas and hypopneas.
Results from a sleep study guide treatment decisions. Mild cases might be managed with conservative measures and oral appliance therapy, while moderate to severe OSA often requires a multidisciplinary approach. Collaboration between your dentist and sleep physician ensures that dental interventions complement medical recommendations and that monitoring continues over time.
In some situations, additional examinations such as airway imaging or dental assessments are used to evaluate jaw structure, tooth position, and soft-tissue anatomy. These findings help determine whether a custom oral device is a suitable option and inform the design for optimal comfort and effectiveness.
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) remains the most widely recommended therapy for moderate to severe OSA; it delivers pressurized air through a mask to keep the airway open during sleep. When tolerated and used consistently, CPAP can markedly reduce apneas and restore healthier sleep patterns, but some patients find the device uncomfortable or difficult to adapt to.
Lifestyle modifications are also an important part of managing sleep apnea. Weight management, positional therapy (avoiding back-sleeping), treatment for nasal congestion, and avoidance of alcohol or sedatives near bedtime can reduce symptom severity and improve overall sleep quality. These measures are often used alongside medical or dental therapies.
For patients who cannot tolerate CPAP or who have mild-to-moderate OSA, dental sleep medicine offers effective alternatives. Decisions about the best therapy are individualized, considering the severity of OSA, patient preference, and any coexisting medical conditions. Ongoing follow-up ensures that chosen treatments continue to provide benefit.
Oral appliances designed for sleep apnea are custom-built devices worn like a mouthguard or retainer. Most devices advance the lower jaw slightly or stabilize the tongue and soft tissues to create additional space in the upper airway, reducing the likelihood of collapse during sleep. These devices are noninvasive, portable, and quiet — making them an attractive option for many patients.
Evidence supports the effectiveness of custom oral appliances for patients with mild-to-moderate OSA and for those who snore without significant apnea. They are also a reasonable alternative for individuals who cannot tolerate CPAP. Success depends on careful appliance selection, precise fitting, and appropriate adjustment over time to balance symptom relief with bite comfort.
Because every patient’s dental anatomy is unique, off-the-shelf solutions are rarely as effective as professionally made appliances. A dental evaluation helps identify the most suitable device, checks for adequate teeth and jaw support, and ensures the appliance won’t compromise dental health or bite alignment.
Dental sleep medicine combines dental expertise with sleep science to create tailored solutions that improve breathing and sleep. At the office of Keith A. Kye, DDS, FAGD, we conduct thorough oral exams, take precise impressions, and collaborate with sleep physicians to design and calibrate appliances that integrate with each patient’s overall treatment plan.
Our approach emphasizes ongoing monitoring: after delivering an oral appliance, we schedule follow-up visits to assess symptom improvement, make fine adjustments, and evaluate dental health and bite alignment. This iterative process helps optimize both the therapeutic effect and long-term oral comfort.
We work in concert with medical providers to ensure patients receive coordinated care. When appropriate, we recommend repeat sleep testing or physician follow-up to confirm that the appliance is delivering the expected health benefits and to adjust the care plan as needed.
If you suspect you or a family member may have sleep apnea, a professional evaluation can clarify the cause of symptoms and outline effective options. Contact our office to learn more about dental approaches to sleep apnea and how we coordinate with sleep specialists to support better, safer sleep for our patients.
Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep-related breathing disorder in which the upper airway repeatedly narrows or collapses during sleep, causing pauses in breathing known as apneas and shallow breathing events called hypopneas. These interruptions fragment sleep and reduce the amount of restorative deep and REM sleep. Over time, untreated obstruction can affect daytime function and overall health.
The condition is driven by airway anatomy and muscle relaxation during sleep, which can allow soft tissues to obstruct airflow. Episodes of low oxygen and repeated awakenings trigger sympathetic nervous system responses that raise heart rate and blood pressure. Recognizing the disorder early helps patients and clinicians plan effective interventions to protect sleep quality and long-term health.
Nighttime signs often include loud, recurrent snoring, gasping or choking episodes, and witnessed pauses in breathing as observed by a bed partner. Many people wake with a dry mouth or a sensation of breathlessness that disrupts their sleep. These nocturnal behaviors are important clues that should prompt further evaluation.
Daytime symptoms may include persistent sleepiness, morning headaches, impaired concentration, mood changes, and reduced daytime energy despite spending adequate time in bed. These effects reflect fragmented sleep architecture rather than simple tiredness. Keeping a sleep history and sharing partner observations with a clinician improves the chance of timely diagnosis.
Risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea include excess body weight, older age, male sex, larger neck circumference, and certain craniofacial or airway anatomical traits. Nasal obstruction and enlarged tonsils or soft tissue in the throat can also increase the likelihood of airway collapse during sleep. A family history of OSA raises risk as well.
However, sleep apnea can occur in people without obvious risk markers, including those with a healthy weight or younger adults. Because symptoms are sometimes subtle, anyone experiencing regular snoring, witnessed breathing interruptions, or unexplained daytime sleepiness should seek a professional assessment. Early evaluation reduces the chance of complications and helps select the most appropriate treatment.
Diagnosis usually begins with a medical evaluation by a physician or sleep specialist who reviews symptoms, medical history, and risk factors. A formal sleep study—either in a monitored sleep laboratory or a validated home sleep test—measures breathing patterns, oxygen levels, and sleep interruptions to determine the frequency and severity of apneas. Results guide the choice of therapy and the need for further medical workup.
In addition to polysomnography or home testing, clinicians may order airway imaging or a dental assessment to evaluate jaw structure, tooth position, and soft-tissue anatomy. These findings are particularly useful when considering dental sleep appliances or surgical options. Collaboration between medical and dental providers ensures the diagnostic picture is complete and treatment planning is coordinated.
Continuous positive airway pressure, commonly called CPAP, is the most widely recommended therapy for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea because it effectively splints the airway open with pressurized air delivered through a mask. When tolerated and used consistently, CPAP can dramatically reduce apneas and improve sleep architecture. Adherence and proper mask fit are critical to achieving the intended benefits.
In addition to CPAP, lifestyle measures such as weight management, positional therapy to avoid back-sleeping, optimizing nasal breathing, and avoiding alcohol or sedatives near bedtime can reduce symptom severity. Some patients with specific anatomic issues may be candidates for surgical interventions, which are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. These approaches are often combined with other therapies as part of a comprehensive plan.
Dental sleep medicine provides custom oral appliances that are effective for many patients with mild-to-moderate OSA and for individuals who cannot tolerate CPAP. Oral devices work by advancing the lower jaw or stabilizing the tongue to increase airway space and are fitted and adjusted by dental professionals. The best treatment is individualized and frequently involves ongoing coordination between physicians and dentists to monitor outcomes and adjust therapy as needed.
Oral appliances are custom-made devices that fit over the teeth like a retainer or mouthguard and reposition the lower jaw or tongue to help keep the airway open during sleep. By moving the jaw slightly forward or stabilizing oral structures, these devices reduce the tendency of the soft tissues to collapse into the airway. This mechanical change can meaningfully reduce snoring and the number of apnea events in appropriate patients.
Effective appliances are individually designed and adjusted to balance airway improvement with comfort and dental health. Proper fitting requires accurate impressions or digital scans and periodic fine-tuning to optimize therapeutic effect. Routine follow-up allows clinicians to monitor dental alignment, bite changes, and symptom response over time.
Good candidates for a custom oral appliance typically include patients with mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnea, those who primarily snore, and individuals who are unable to tolerate CPAP therapy. Dentists evaluate dental health, sufficient tooth support, and jaw joint stability to determine whether an appliance is appropriate and safe. Patients with certain untreated dental conditions or inadequate dentition may require dental treatment before appliance therapy.
Selection also depends on collaboration with a sleep physician to confirm the diagnosis and to rule out conditions that require alternative management. Shared decision-making considers symptom severity, medical comorbidities, patient preferences, and expected adherence. When chosen and managed correctly, oral appliances are a well-established option within a broader treatment strategy.
The process begins with a comprehensive oral exam, dental imaging as needed, and impressions or digital scans of the teeth to create a personalized device. The initial fitting typically includes verification of comfort, vertical and horizontal jaw positioning, and instruction on how to use and care for the appliance. Patients receive guidance on wearing schedules and how to troubleshoot common issues early in the trial period.
Follow-up appointments are scheduled to assess symptom improvement, make incremental adjustments, and check for any dental or jaw changes. Long-term monitoring includes periodic dental exams and communication with the patient’s sleep physician to confirm that the appliance continues to provide clinical benefit. Ongoing collaboration ensures that the appliance remains both effective and comfortable over time.
Dental sleep medicine functions as part of a multidisciplinary care model that pairs dental expertise with medical evaluation and monitoring. Dentists and sleep physicians share diagnostic information, sleep study results, and treatment goals to ensure that oral appliances complement broader medical management. This communication helps align therapy with each patient’s comorbidities and long-term health objectives.
Coordination often includes recommendations for follow-up sleep testing or adjustments based on symptom changes and objective data. Dentists monitor dental and bite-related outcomes while physicians assess systemic effects and overall sleep improvement. Regular exchange of information supports safe, effective, and individualized care.
You should contact the office of Keith A. Kye, DDS, FAGD if you or a household member experiences regular loud snoring, witnessed breathing pauses, morning headaches, or persistent daytime sleepiness despite adequate sleep time. Early consultation is important because these symptoms can indicate a sleep-disordered breathing condition that benefits from professional assessment. Prompt evaluation helps identify the most appropriate diagnostic testing and treatment pathway.
During an initial visit, the dental team will review your sleep history, perform an oral and dental examination, and coordinate with your primary care provider or a sleep specialist as needed. If an oral appliance is appropriate, the office will guide you through customization, fitting, and follow-up to monitor outcomes. Contacting the office early supports coordinated care and helps you pursue safer, more restorative sleep.
The office of Keith A. Kye, DDS, FAGD serves the neighborhoods of Huntersville, Lake Norman, Davidson and Cornelius.