Progressive Airway Sleep & Wellness

Managing Sleep Apnea

Comfortable & Effective Alternatives

Sleep apnea can lead to serious health issues. If CPAP isn’t right for you, there are personalized, less invasive treatment paths available.

Flat vector icon of a man sleep on a bed.
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Advanced Oral Appliance Therapy

For patients seeking comfortable, effective alternatives to CPAP, we provide a full range of custom oral appliances designed not only to keep the airway open during sleep, but in many cases to remodel the jaw and airway structure for lasting improvement.

Appliance Options We Offer

  • STA (Start Thriving Appliance): Uses epigenetic principles to stimulate natural jaw growth and expand the airway without surgery. This is our first-choice appliance for patients who want long-term structural change.
  • OLC (Open Loop Cricket): A gentle, cranial-friendly expander that works with the body’s natural motion while creating airway space. Ideal for patients who need both expansion and cranial balance.
  • DNA Appliance: A removable biomimetic device that gradually reshapes the upper arch and airway in three dimensions. While highly effective, DNA therapy requires longer treatment and higher investment, making it a powerful but secondary option.
  • Mandibular Advancement Devices (MADs): These reposition the lower jaw forward during sleep to hold the airway open. MADs don’t remodel bone, but they provide an immediate, practical solution for many patients — often used as a quick fix or in combination with remodeling appliances.

Why It Matters

  • Improves nighttime oxygen flow and reduces snoring
  • Helps patients wake up rested, energized, and more focused
  • Provides options ranging from short-term relief (MADs) to long-term structural correction (STA, OLC, DNA)
  • Tailored to each patient’s needs, comfort, and long-term health goals

At Progressive Airway Sleep & Wellness we prioritize appliances that do more than manage symptoms — they work to permanently improve your airway and sleep health.

Custom SomnoDent oral appliance used to manage sleep apnea

Medical Interventions for Sleep Apnea

Several treatment options exist for managing Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB), ranging from traditional approaches to advanced dental therapies.

CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)

The standard therapy for moderate to severe OSA. CPAP keeps the airway open with pressurized air, but many patients struggle with comfort, noise, and long-term compliance.

BiPAP / APAP

Alternative pressure machines that adjust airflow based on patient needs, offering more flexibility than CPAP.

Inspire® Therapy

A surgically implanted device that stimulates the hypoglossal nerve, causing the tongue to contract forward and clear the airway. Typically considered for patients who cannot tolerate CPAP.

Medications

Used to manage contributing factors such as allergies, nasal congestion, or acid reflux that worsen airway obstruction.

Surgery (when indicated)

  • Tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy in children
  • Nasal or sinus surgery for obstruction
  • Jaw surgery (orthognathic) for severe skeletal cases
Developmental dental appliances designed to improve airway structure

Lifestyle & At-Home Measures

  • Weight management – even small weight loss can reduce airway collapse
  • Sleep position training – side sleeping instead of back sleeping reduces snoring and apnea
  • Nasal hygiene – saline rinses, allergy control, and avoiding irritants improve airflow
  • Reduce alcohol & sedatives – both relax throat muscles and worsen airway collapse
  • Regular exercise – strengthens breathing muscles and improves oxygen use
  • Healthy sleep habits – consistent schedule, quiet/dark room, reduce screen time before bed
Woman enjoying improved breathing and restful sleep after sleep apnea treatment

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Insurance varies. Contact your provider or our office to explore your options and payment solutions.

CPAP delivers continuous air pressure; oral appliances reposition jaw or tongue to open the airway.

Yes—treatment lowers risks of heart attack, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and improves energy and mood.

Yes. Sleep apnea rarely resolves on its own and poses serious health risks—professional care is vital.

Yes. Weight management, side-sleeping, nasal hygiene, and reducing alcohol/sedative use can help reduce symptoms.

Eva assisting a patient during an airway evaluation at Progressive Airway Sleep & Wellness in Glen Mills, PA

Contact Us

Take the first step toward better sleep and better health. Reach out today and our team will help you get started.