If you have been told you may have sleep apnea, or if a partner has noticed snoring or interrupted breathing during the night, a dental sleep treatment consultation is often the most practical first step toward getting answers. But for many patients, not knowing what that appointment actually involves is enough to delay making the call.
At ProHEALTH Dental, dental sleep treatment is a dedicated practice area delivered by providers with specialized training in sleep medicine across multiple locations. This is not a general dentist offering a generic mouthpiece. It is a structured clinical process designed to evaluate your situation, coordinate with your other healthcare providers, and build a treatment plan that fits your specific needs. Here is exactly what that process looks like.
Before Your Appointment
The process starts before you walk in the door. When you schedule a dental sleep consultation at ProHEALTH Dental, you will be asked to complete a health history form that covers your current symptoms, your medical history, any medications you are taking, and whether you have already had a sleep study or received a diagnosis from a physician.
That intake information matters more than it might seem. Dental sleep treatment does not happen in isolation. Our providers need a full picture of your health before making any recommendations, particularly if you are managing conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease, all of which have documented connections to untreated sleep apnea.
If you already have a sleep study on file or a diagnosis from a sleep specialist, bring that documentation to your appointment. It gives our team a significant head start.
What Happens During the Consultation
Your consultation at ProHEALTH Dental is a clinical evaluation, not a sales appointment. Here is what it covers:
A review of your symptoms and health history: Your provider will review your intake form with you and ask follow-up questions about your sleep patterns, daytime fatigue, snoring frequency, and any previous treatment attempts, including CPAP use. If you have tried CPAP and found it difficult to tolerate, that is important context.
An oral evaluation: Your provider will examine your mouth, jaw, airway, and bite. This is not to diagnose sleep apnea, which requires a sleep study, but to assess whether your anatomy is consistent with obstructive sleep apnea and whether you are a good candidate for oral appliance therapy.
A discussion of your options: If oral appliance therapy is appropriate for your situation, your provider will explain how it works, what the device looks like, and what the fitting and follow-up process involves. If a sleep study has not yet been completed, your provider may recommend one before moving forward and can coordinate that referral through ProHEALTH's network of affiliated medical providers.
A clear next step: You will leave the appointment knowing exactly what the recommended path forward is. There is no pressure to commit to anything at the first visit.
Our Dental Sleep Treatment Team
ProHEALTH Dental offers dental sleep treatment across multiple locations, with providers ranging from general dentists with sleep treatment training to a board-certified sleep medicine specialist.
Dr. Arthur Feigenbaum, DMD, D.ABDSM, leads our specialized sleep program at our Lake Success, Huntington, and Yorktown Heights offices. Dr. Feigenbaum holds the Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine credential, the highest level of board certification available in dental sleep medicine, and is a national lecturer and consultant on oral appliance therapy for obstructive sleep apnea. He is also president of the Queens County Dental Society and a committee chair of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Treatment. For patients with more complex cases, prior CPAP failure, or those who have been specifically referred for specialist-level sleep care, Dr. Feigenbaum's offices are the appropriate starting point.
Dental sleep treatment is also available with Dr. Ji Park at our Astoria office, and Dr. Brian Funk at our Howard Beach office. Each provider offers oral appliance therapy consultations and can evaluate whether treatment is appropriate for your situation.
Across all locations, the clinical approach is the same: a thorough evaluation, coordination with your physician as needed, and a custom-fitted device if treatment is indicated.
If Oral Appliance Therapy Is Recommended
Oral appliance therapy involves a custom-fitted device worn only during sleep. It works by gently repositioning the lower jaw and tongue slightly forward, which prevents the throat from collapsing and keeps the airway open throughout the night. The result is uninterrupted breathing, reduced snoring, and for patients with obstructive sleep apnea, a meaningful reduction in apnea events.
The device is custom-made based on precise impressions of your teeth and bite. It is not a one-size-fits-all product. The fitting process involves multiple appointments to ensure the device is comfortable, effective, and adjusted correctly for your anatomy.
Follow-up care is built into the process. Your provider will monitor your progress, make adjustments as needed, and coordinate with your physician to confirm that treatment is achieving the intended clinical outcome.
Is a Dental Sleep Consultation Right for You?
A consultation is the right next step if any of the following apply:
- You have been told you snore loudly or stop breathing during sleep
- You wake up feeling unrested despite sleeping for seven or more hours
- You experience morning headaches, daytime fatigue, or difficulty concentrating without a clear cause
- You have been diagnosed with sleep apnea but have not found CPAP tolerable
- Your physician has suggested exploring dental sleep treatment as an option
You do not need a formal diagnosis before reaching out. The consultation itself is designed to assess where you are and what the appropriate next step looks like for your specific situation.
ProHEALTH Dental offers dental sleep treatment consultations at our Astoria, Howard Beach, Huntington, Lake Success, White Plains, and Yorktown Heights locations. Contact the office nearest you to schedule your evaluation and find out whether oral appliance therapy is the right fit for you.