If you have sleep apnea, getting treatment is critical. As long as your sleep apnea is untreated, you are at elevated risk for serious complications related to the condition, including heart attack, stroke, car accidents, dementia, depression, and more.

However, getting the proper sleep apnea treatment isn’t always easy. Many sleep professionals can help with sleep apnea. For patients seeking comprehensive dental care in Houston, working with a Spring, TX sleep apnea dentist can often provide effective, non-invasive solutions designed to improve both sleep quality and overall health.

What Doctors Can Treat Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea can be managed by several types of doctors, depending on its cause and your overall health. Most diagnoses begin with a sleep physician, but ongoing care may involve other specialists who address specific aspects of the condition.

Common doctors involved in sleep apnea care include:

  • Otolaryngologists (ENTs) – Focus on the structures of the nose, throat, and airway. They can help determine whether physical blockages contribute to sleep apnea and, in rare cases, may recommend surgery.
  • Neurologists – Evaluate central sleep apnea, which occurs when the brain fails to send consistent signals for breathing during sleep.
  • Pulmonologists – Specialize in lung function and are often involved if you have respiratory conditions such as asthma or COPD alongside sleep apnea.
  • Cardiologists – Address the heart-related risks and complications that can result from untreated sleep apnea, including high blood pressure, arrhythmias, and stroke.
  • Psychiatrists – Can help manage anxiety, insomnia, or depression that sometimes accompany sleep disorders.

Each type of specialist plays a role in providing a well-rounded approach to care. For patients seeking comprehensive dental care in Houston, a sleep apnea dentist can also help by offering oral appliance therapy—a comfortable, effective alternative to CPAP for many people.

When Dentists Are Best for Sleep Apnea

While sleep physicians often prescribe CPAP as the standard treatment, many patients benefit from consulting a sleep dentist. Dentists trained in dental sleep medicine can provide effective alternatives and help address related oral and airway concerns.

  • Learn About Alternative Treatments – Most sleep physicians focus on CPAP, but it’s not the only solution. A sleep dentist can discuss options like oral appliance therapy, which repositions the jaw to keep the airway open during sleep. For many people with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, this approach offers a comfortable, effective alternative.
  • Manage TMJ and Sleep Apnea Together – TMJ disorders are common among people with sleep apnea. A sleep dentist understands the relationship between the two and can recommend treatments that reduce strain on the jaw while improving breathing at night—helping you manage both conditions comfortably.
  • Find a Treatment That Fits Your Lifestyle – Some people can’t tolerate CPAP or simply prefer something simpler. Oral appliances are small, quiet, and easy to wear. They can also serve as a backup option if you find CPAP difficult to use.
  • Enjoy a Travel-Ready Solution – Traveling with a CPAP machine can be inconvenient—it requires its own case, power source, and maintenance routine. Oral appliances, on the other hand, fit easily in a small case, need no power, and are simple to clean. For frequent travelers, they’re an easy way to stay consistent with sleep apnea treatment.

Learn More about Dental Sleep Medicine

If you’re unsure whether your symptoms meet the standard for diagnosing sleep apnea, ask our Houston dentists about the WatchPat system. This in-home sleep study allows you to rest comfortably in your own bed while gathering the data a licensed sleep physician needs to make an accurate diagnosis of mild, moderate, or severe sleep apnea.

If you’re currently dealing with sleep apnea and want to explore practical, comfortable, and convenient treatment alternatives, we’re here to help. Stephens & Gatewood Dentistry offers comprehensive dental care in Houston with two convenient Spring, TX locations:

Call the location most convenient for you to schedule your consultation and learn how dental sleep medicine can help you achieve more restful, healthier sleep.