Sleep disorders affect many patients every night, yet people often don’t realize their dental office can be a crucial partner in diagnosing and treating these life-altering conditions. When you’re struggling with chronic snoring, sleep apnea, or feeling exhausted despite getting a full night’s rest, the solution might be closer than you think, right here in your neighborhood dental practice. Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, potentially impacting your cardiovascular system, physical health, and overall quality of life.
At Roman Dental Arts, Dr. Alissa Roman and Dr. Donald Roman understand the vital connection between oral health and quality sleep. Our specialty services in Hackensack, NJ bring decades of combined experience to our community seeking comprehensive sleep medicine solutions. We’ve invested in advanced laser technology and built strategic partnerships with local sleep specialists to provide our patients with cutting-edge treatment options that can transform both their nights and their days.
Why Choose Roman Dental Arts for Dental Sleep Medicine in Hackensack
When it comes to sleep apnea treatment in Hackensack, NJ, experience and personalization matter. Roman Dental Arts is a family-run practice with over 38 years of service in Bergen County. Our commitment to continued education and modern dental technology ensures the best outcomes for our patients.
Dr. Donald J. Roman and Dr. Alissa M. Roman have helped countless patients find relief from sleep apnea symptoms using customized sleep apnea devices. We focus on building trust, providing thorough explanations, and delivering patient-centered care every step of the way.
What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Why Should You Treat It?
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when the soft tissues at the back of the throat relax too much during sleep, blocking the airway. This leads to repeated breathing interruptions, reduced oxygen levels, and disturbed sleep patterns throughout the night. Untreated OSA can lead to serious health issues such as heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, and chronic fatigue.
Many Hackensack patients don’t realize they suffer from sleep apnea until symptoms interfere with daily life. These may include loud snoring, waking up gasping for air, morning headaches, poor memory, irritability, and trouble concentrating.
Fortunately, dental professionals like Dr. Donald Roman and Dr. Alissa Roman can provide safe and effective treatment options that offer relief from OSA symptoms without surgical procedures.
Comprehensive Sleep Disorder Evaluation and Treatment Planning
While New Jersey regulations prevent dentists from directly diagnosing sleep apnea, our team plays a vital role in identifying potential sleep disorders and connecting patients with appropriate medical sleep specialists. Dr. Alissa Roman conducts thorough oral examinations to assess the following factors that may contribute to sleep-related breathing problems:
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Airway anatomy and dimensions
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Jaw positioning and alignment
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Other Factors
During your consultation, we evaluate several key indicators, including tooth wear patterns that suggest nighttime grinding, tongue and soft tissue positioning, and overall airway dimensions. These assessments help us understand whether dental factors might be contributing to your sleep challenges and determine the most appropriate treatment approach for your specific situation.
Sleep apnea affects over 22 million Americans, making it one of the most common undiagnosed medical conditions in the country. Our role is to serve as an early detection point, helping identify patients who would benefit from professional sleep study evaluations and ongoing medical management while providing supportive dental sleep medicine therapies that complement their overall treatment plan.
Advanced Laser Treatment for Snoring and Sleep Issues
Our practice features state-of-the-art carbon dioxide laser technology specifically designed to address snoring and sleep-related breathing disorders. This innovative approach offers patients a non-surgical alternative to traditional sleep apnea treatment, providing relief without the need for invasive procedures or lengthy recovery periods.
The laser treatment works by precisely tightening the soft palate tissues that often contribute to airway obstruction during sleep. Unlike conventional surgical methods that involve cutting and burning tissue, our laser therapy gently reshapes the affected areas with minimal discomfort and virtually no downtime. Patients typically return to their normal activities the same day, making this an ideal solution for busy professionals and families throughout Hackensack and the surrounding Bergen County communities.
This treatment is particularly effective for patients experiencing mild to moderate snoring issues or those who want to improve their sleep quality before it progresses to more severe cases of obstructive sleep apnea. The precision of laser therapy allows us to target specific problem areas while preserving healthy tissue, resulting in more predictable outcomes and enhanced patient comfort throughout the entire process.
Oral Appliance Therapy and Custom Solutions
For patients diagnosed with sleep apnea or chronic snoring, we offer custom-fitted oral appliances that provide an alternative to traditional CPAP machines. These devices are specifically crafted to fit your unique oral anatomy and work by gently repositioning the jaw and tongue to maintain an open airway during sleep, reducing apnea episodes and improving breathing patterns.
Many patients find oral appliances more comfortable and convenient than CPAP therapy, especially for travel or situations where traditional equipment might be impractical. Oral appliance therapy offers an effective solution for mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea cases, and in some situations, can be combined with other treatments for enhanced results.
Benefits of Oral Appliances vs CPAP Machines
| Feature | Oral Appliance Therapy | CPAP Machine |
| Comfort | Lightweight, custom fit | Bulky mask, can be uncomfortable |
| Portability | Easy to travel with | Requires power and space |
| Noise Level | Silent | Can be noisy |
| Compliance | Higher patient compliance | Lower due to discomfort |
| Maintenance | Easy to clean | Involves filters, tubing, water tanks |
Our custom appliances are designed for long-term comfort and effectiveness, with regular follow-up appointments to ensure proper fit and optimal therapeutic results. The process begins with detailed impressions and measurements of your mouth, allowing us to create a device that feels natural and provides the right level of support for your specific needs. We also provide comprehensive instructions for use, maintenance, and care to ensure your oral appliance continues providing effective treatment for years to come. Our patients have found significant improvements in their sleep quality, energy levels, and overall health after switching to oral appliances.
Personalized Care from Hackensack’s Trusted Dental Family
At Roman Dental Arts, we understand sleep disorders affect more than just your nights – they impact your energy, health, relationships, and overall quality of life. Dr. Donald Roman’s decades of experience, combined with Dr. Alissa Roman’s commitment to advanced treatment options, ensure you receive the most comprehensive and compassionate care available in the Hackensack area.
Our father-daughter team approach means you benefit from both established knowledge and innovative techniques, all delivered with the personal attention that has made us a trusted name in the community for years. We’re committed to providing highly skilled care that addresses your unique situation, whether you need laser therapy, oral appliance therapy, or coordination with sleep specialists for more complex cases.
We take time to understand your specific concerns, explain your treatment options clearly, and work with you to develop a plan that fits your lifestyle and goals. Our family dentistry approach extends to every aspect of your care, including sleep medicine services designed to help you and your loved ones achieve better sleep and improved health.
Ready to reclaim your restful nights and energized days? Contact our Hackensack office at (201) 843-0440 or request an appointment online to schedule your comprehensive sleep medicine consultation with Dr. Alissa Roman and Dr. Donald Roman today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sleep Apnea Treatment
What is a dental sleep appliance and how does it treat sleep apnea?
A dental sleep appliance is a custom-fitted oral device that gently repositions your lower jaw forward while you sleep, keeping your airway open. Similar to an orthodontic retainer or sports mouthguard, it prevents the soft tissues in your throat from collapsing and blocking airflow.
The most common type is called a mandibular advancement device (MAD), which has proven highly effective for treating mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. Unlike CPAP machines, oral appliances are quiet, portable, and comfortable to wear. Most patients adapt to them within just a few nights and find them much easier to use consistently than CPAP therapy.
Is an oral appliance as effective as a CPAP machine?
While CPAP machines remain the gold standard for treating severe sleep apnea, oral appliances are highly effective for mild to moderate cases and can reduce sleep apnea severity by more than half in approximately 70% of patients.
Research shows that about one-third of patients experience complete resolution of their symptoms with oral appliance therapy. The key advantage of oral appliances is compliance. They’re comfortable, quiet, and easy to use, so patients are much more likely to wear them consistently every night. A treatment that you actually use regularly is always more effective than one that sits in your closet.
For severe sleep apnea, some patients successfully use both devices together: a CPAP at home and an oral appliance when traveling. Dr. Roman will evaluate your sleep study results and work with your sleep physician to recommend the most appropriate treatment for your specific condition.
Does insurance cover oral appliances for sleep apnea?
Yes, most medical insurance plans, including Medicare, cover custom oral appliances for sleep apnea treatment. Because these devices are classified as durable medical equipment (DME), they’re covered under your medical insurance, not dental insurance.
To qualify for coverage, you typically need a formal diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea from a sleep study, a prescription from your physician, and documentation showing the appliance is medically necessary. For mild to moderate sleep apnea, most insurers approve coverage without additional requirements.
For severe sleep apnea, coverage usually requires proof that you’ve tried CPAP therapy but couldn’t tolerate it, or medical documentation explaining why CPAP isn’t appropriate for you. Roman Smiles has extensive experience working with insurance companies to secure coverage for oral appliance therapy and will handle all the necessary paperwork and pre-authorization on your behalf.
Can a dentist diagnose sleep apnea?
Dentists cannot officially diagnose sleep apnea. Only a physician or sleep medicine specialist can provide that diagnosis following a sleep study. However, dentists play a crucial role in identifying potential sleep apnea symptoms and referring patients for proper evaluation.
During your routine dental exams at Roman Smiles, we screen for common signs of sleep apnea including a large tongue or tonsils, narrow airway, worn teeth from grinding (bruxism), jaw positioning issues, and other oral indicators. If we notice risk factors, we’ll refer you to a sleep medicine specialist for diagnostic testing.
Once you receive an official sleep apnea diagnosis and prescription from your physician, we can then fit you with a custom oral appliance to treat your condition. This collaborative approach between dental and medical professionals ensures you receive comprehensive, coordinated care.
What are the signs I might have sleep apnea?
Common signs of sleep apnea include:
- Loud, chronic snoring
- Gasping or choking during sleep
- Frequent nighttime awakenings
- Morning headaches
- Excessive daytime fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Waking with a dry mouth or sore throat
- Your bed partner may notice breathing pauses during your sleep that sometimes last 10 seconds or longer
Physical signs your dentist might observe include worn tooth enamel from grinding, a large tongue, enlarged tonsils, a high narrow palate, a small or recessed jaw, or a large neck circumference. You may also experience irritability, depression, or decreased libido.
If you recognize several of these symptoms, schedule a consultation at Roman Smiles so we can evaluate your risk factors and provide a referral for sleep testing if needed. Left untreated, sleep apnea significantly increases your risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
How Much Do Sleep Apnea Oral Appliances Cost?
Sleep apnea oral appliances at our office typically range from $1,800 to $3,400, depending on the type of device and customization required for your specific needs. Many medical insurance plans, rather than dental insurance, provide coverage for sleep apnea treatment devices when medically necessary.
