Non-surgical treatments for snoring and sleep apnea that protect your teeth and overall health.

Sleep Apnea and Snoring Treatment

Chronic snoring, frequent waking, and daytime fatigue often signal that your airway isn't staying open properly during sleep. This situation can contribute to teeth grinding, jaw pain, tooth wear, and inflammation.

At Shank Dental Care in Lafayette, LA, we understand airway health and how breathing problems during sleep can impact your teeth, jaw function, and overall wellness. We offer conservative, non-surgical solutions for snoring and mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), including NightLase® laser therapy and custom oral appliances.

How Airway Problems Affect Your Teeth and Jaw

When your airway is restricted, your body compensates by jaw clenching and grinding, often more intensely than TMJ disorders alone would cause. Airway restriction also leads to mouth breathing, which results in reduced oxygen absorption and minimal moisture in the mouth, as nasal breathing does.

Mouth breathing also creates dental problems:

Chronic dry mouth that increases cavity risk
Increased risk for gingivitis and gum inflammation
Tooth wear from grinding and clenching (bruxism)

Why Patients Choose Shank Dental Care for Sleep Apnea Treatment

Our approach to sleep-disordered breathing offers several advantages for appropriate candidates:

Non-Surgical, CPAP-Free Options

Our treatments use laser therapy and, when appropriate, custom oral appliances to improve airway function for patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea or those who cannot tolerate CPAP.

Protects Your Teeth and Jaw

By addressing the underlying cause of airway restriction, our treatment options help reduce the grinding, clenching, and tooth wear that often accompany sleep-disordered breathing.

Supports Whole-Body Health

Improving oxygen flow during sleep supports cardiovascular health, energy levels, and overall wellness while reducing oral inflammation and promoting healthier nasal breathing patterns.

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One of The Best Dentist I’ve Ever Been Too.

One of the best dentist I’ve ever been too! He’s so good with scared patients. He is very thorough and informative. I knew exactly what he was doing at all times.

- Laura

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Treatment Options for Sleep-Disordered Breathing

Before recommending treatment, Dr. Shank will review your sleep history, dental symptoms such as grinding or jaw pain, and any existing diagnoses. He will coordinate with your physician or sleep specialist when needed to ensure we provide the safest, most effective care for your specific situation.

If you haven't been formally diagnosed with sleep apnea, we may recommend a sleep study to evaluate your condition before proceeding with treatment.

NightLase® Laser Therapy

NightLase is a non-surgical laser treatment that naturally tightens the airway by gently stimulating collagen production in the soft tissues of the throat. We perform the procedure here at Shank Dental Care with no anesthesia, no incisions, and no downtime.

Custom Oral Appliance Therapy

For some patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea or snoring, a custom-fitted oral appliance similar to a night guard may be all that's needed. We custom-design the appliance, which works by gently repositioning the lower jaw forward during sleep, helping keep the airway open.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does sleep apnea affect my overall health?

Sleep apnea is more than just a sleep issue—it's a condition that can impact your entire body. When your airway repeatedly collapses during sleep, your body experiences periods of reduced oxygen, which triggers a stress response and disrupts normal healing and recovery processes.

Health Effects of Untreated Sleep Apnea

The health effects of untreated sleep apnea can include:

Reduced oxygen levels throughout the night, forcing your heart to work harder
Increased cardiovascular strain and a higher risk of heart disease and stroke
Elevated blood pressure that persists even during waking hours
Chronic daytime fatigue and decreased energy levels
Impaired cognitive function, memory problems, and difficulty concentrating
Weakened immune response, making you more susceptible to illness
Higher risk of metabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes
Increased inflammation throughout the body

These risks are why addressing airway health is such an important part of integrative dental care. Improved breathing during sleep reduces snoring, supports your cardiovascular and immune health, and your body's ability to heal and recover each night.

Schedule with a Sleep Apnea Dentist

For those with mild to moderate sleep apnea, our conservative treatments can make a meaningful difference in overall wellness. Please call Shank Dental Care at (337) 235-8902 to schedule with an experienced sleep apnea dentist in Lafayette, LA.

Conservative Airway Care in Lafayette, LA

If you or a loved one experiences chronic snoring, teeth grinding, jaw pain, or daytime fatigue, it may be connected to airway health. Dr. Shank can help you explore your options and determine whether addressing airway function could improve your sleep and your dental health.

Call our Lafayette dental office at (337) 235-8902 to schedule your consultation. We serve patients throughout Acadiana and across Louisiana, including those traveling from New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lake Charles, and beyond.

Our Team

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Dr. Taylor Shank

Dr. Taylor Shank was born and raised in Lafayette, and he considers himself blessed to be able to serve the community he knows and loves. Dr. Shank is a graduate of St. Thomas More High School, UL Lafayette, and the LSU School of Dentistry.

Dr. Shank started his practice because he was unhappy with the profit-driven high-volume model that has become so common in the medical and dental fields. Dr. Shank saw the need to provide dental services for those patients looking for more holistic and minimally invasive treatment options. He ...

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