If you struggle with snoring, restless nights, or sleep apnea, you know how much poor sleep can affect your everyday life. You may have tried a CPAP machine but found it uncomfortable, difficult to use, or simply hard to stick with throughout the night.

That's where NELA Sleep can help.

NELA Sleep provides custom sleep appliances designed to help appropriate patients with obstructive sleep apnea keep their airways open while they sleep. For many patients, a sleep appliance can offer a comfortable and convenient alternative to CPAP.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a common sleep condition in which a person repeatedly stops and starts breathing during sleep because of an obstruction in the upper airway.

While snoring is one of the most recognizable symptoms, sleep apnea can affect your body and mind in ways that aren't always immediately associated with the condition.

Possible symptoms and health concerns associated with sleep apnea include:

• Morning headaches
• Loud snoring
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• High blood pressure
• Coronary artery disease
• High cholesterol
• Type 2 diabetes
• Obesity
• Increased appetite for high-calorie foods
• Increased BMI
• Sexual dysfunction
• Frequent urination at night

If you regularly experience one or more of these symptoms, especially loud snoring or disrupted sleep, it may be worth talking with a healthcare professional about your sleep.

Don't Ignore the Signs of Sleep Apnea

Poor sleep can affect much more than how you feel the next morning. When sleep apnea goes untreated, interrupted breathing can prevent you from getting the restorative sleep your body needs.

You may wake up feeling tired even after spending a full night in bed. You may experience morning headaches, difficulty concentrating, daytime fatigue, or changes in your energy and mood.

Recognizing the signs is an important first step toward getting the appropriate care.

What Is a Sleep Appliance?

A sleep appliance, also called a mandibular advancement device, is a custom-fitted oral appliance worn while sleeping. It gently positions the lower jaw forward to help keep the airway open during sleep.

Unlike a CPAP machine, a sleep appliance doesn't require a mask, hose, or machine next to your bed. It is small, portable, and custom-made specifically for you.

Custom-fabricated, adjustable sleep appliances can be an effective treatment option for obstructive sleep apnea for appropriate patients.

Why Consider an Alternative to CPAP?

CPAP is an effective treatment for sleep apnea, but using it consistently can be difficult for some patients. In fact, about 50% of CPAP patients use their machine for less than four hours per night.

For patients who struggle with CPAP compliance, a sleep appliance may provide another treatment option.

Sleep appliances are:

• Comfortable and easy to use: Their small, custom design can make them less invasive than a CPAP machine.
• Convenient: There are no masks, hoses, or bulky equipment to manage.
• Portable: Take your appliance with you when traveling without having to pack a CPAP machine.
• Custom-made: Your appliance is designed specifically for your mouth and adjusted to provide the appropriate fit.

The goal is to provide a treatment option that you can comfortably incorporate into your nightly routine.

The NELA Sleep Process

At NELA Sleep, we believe treating sleep apnea starts with understanding you and your individual needs.

1. Evaluation

Your treatment begins with an evaluation to determine whether a dental sleep appliance may be appropriate for you. Our team will discuss your symptoms, sleep concerns, and treatment history.

2. Custom Sleep Appliance

If you're a candidate for treatment, we'll create a custom sleep appliance designed specifically for your mouth. A personalized fit can help make the appliance comfortable and easier to use.

3. Adjustment

Sleep appliances are adjustable, allowing your provider to make changes as needed to help achieve the appropriate position and fit.

4. Follow-Up Care

Your treatment doesn't stop when you receive your appliance. Follow-up appointments allow our team to monitor your progress, address concerns, and make adjustments when necessary.

Can Insurance Help Cover a Sleep Appliance?

In many cases, medical insurance may help cover a sleep appliance under a patient's Durable Medical Equipment (DME) benefit.

NELA Sleep will evaluate your insurance coverage and help determine what benefits may be available to you. Our team can also work directly with your insurance provider and handle the necessary paperwork to help make the process as smooth as possible.

Coverage varies by plan, so we'll help you understand your benefits before moving forward.

What Do Patients Say?

For patients who have struggled with snoring and poor sleep, finding a treatment that works can make a meaningful difference.

One NELA Sleep patient, Jeff L., shared that after receiving a dental sleep appliance, his sleep, energy, and overall health improved. He also noted that his wife was happy because she no longer heard him snoring.

Another patient, Dan R., shared that his custom dental sleep mouthpiece helped reduce his snoring and restless nights. He described the appliance as comfortable and said he experienced deeper, uninterrupted sleep and felt more refreshed and energized in the morning.

Every patient is different, but these experiences highlight why finding a comfortable treatment you can consistently use matters.

We Can Help You Treat Sleep Apnea

If you've been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea or are experiencing symptoms that may be associated with the condition, don't ignore the signs.

A custom sleep appliance from NELA Sleep may provide a noninvasive and convenient alternative to CPAP for appropriate patients. By helping keep the airway unobstructed during sleep, a sleep appliance can make treatment easier to incorporate into your nightly routine.

You don't have to wait another night to start looking for a solution.

We Can Help!

Treat your sleep apnea with a custom sleep appliance from NELA Sleep.

Contact NELA Sleep today to schedule an evaluation and learn more about your treatment options. We'll walk you through the process, evaluate your needs, and help determine whether a custom sleep appliance is right for you.