Sleep Medicine

At Three Rivers Dental, we believe a good night’s sleep is just as important as a healthy smile. Sleep affects everything from your mood and memory to heart health and metabolism. Yet for many people, the struggle to breathe comfortably at night prevents true rest. That’s where we can help. 

Led by Dr. Evon Heaser, our dental sleep medicine program focuses on treating sleep-related breathing disorders like sleep apnea through advanced, comfortable, and customized oral appliance therapies. We work closely with medical professionals to ensure your sleep health is managed with care and precision.

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What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a condition that causes your breathing to repeatedly stop and start during sleep. The most common form of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when the airway becomes partially or completely blocked by relaxed muscles or soft tissues in the throat. 

Common signs of sleep apnea include:

  • Loud, chronic snoring
  • Waking up gasping or choking
  • Daytime sleepiness or fatigue
  • Morning headaches
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Mood changes or irritability
  • Restless sleep

Since these symptoms often overlap with other health issues, many people don’t realize they have sleep apnea until it’s brought to their attention by a partner or physician. 

Our Role in Sleep Medicine

At Three Rivers Dental, we focus on treating sleep apnea, not diagnosing it. We use advanced screening and monitoring tools, including SleepImage Ring System, to collect data about your sleep quality and breathing patterns in the comfort of your own home. 

This non-invasive ring provides a comprehensive look at factors like:

  • Sleep duration and quality
  • Positional effects (how your sleep position impacts breathing)
  • Cardiopulmonary coupling (CPC), which shows how your heart and lungs interact during sleep

The data helps identify patterns consistent with sleep apnea, which we then share with collaborating sleep physicians for official diagnosis. Once diagnosis is confirmed, Dr. Heaser works with you to develop a personalized treatment plan designed to help you breathe better and sleep more deeply.

Dental Treatments for Sleep Apnea

Dental sleep medicine focuses on improving airway function and jaw alignment to promote open, unobstructed breathing. At Three Rivers Dental, we offer solutions tailored for both children and adults using modern, evidence-based approaches. 

Sleep-disordered breathing can affect children, too. This often shows up as behavior problems, poor focus, or even developmental issues. At Three Rivers Dental, we believe early intervention can make a world of difference.

Dr. Heaser and our team carefully assess airway development and growth patterns to determine the best approach. We work with families and trusted medical professionals to guide children toward better breathing and healthier sleep. 

Our pediatric treatments include:

  • Guided Appliance Therapy: In partnership with Toothpillow, we use comfortable oral appliances that guide jaw and airway development.
  • Myofunctional Therapy: Gentle exercises that train the muscles of the face and tongue to work properly, supporting natural breathing and proper oral posture.
  • Fixed Expansion: When needed, we use fixed expansion appliances to widen the upper jaw, improving nasal breathing and creating more room for the airway. 

Each child’s needs are unique, so treatment is customized based on age, growth, and necessity. Our goal is to help kids breathe better, sleep soundly, and develop healthier smiles for life.

For adults, sleep apnea treatment is designed to improve nighttime breathing while offering a more comfortable and discreet alternative to traditional CPAP machines. 

Dr. Heaser uses removable appliance therapies that gently reposition the jaw or expand the palate to keep the airway open during sleep. 

Our adult sleep medicine options include:

  • Removable Expansion Techniques: Non-surgical methods that help increase airway space and improve airflow.
  • Vivos Appliances: A groundbreaking system that supports the body’s natural ability to remodel the airway, helping many patients experience long-term improvements in sleep and breathing.
  • Clear Aligner Therapy: In some cases, clear aligners can be used as part of airway expansion or jaw alignment therapy, combining functional improvement with aesthetic benefits. 

These custom-fitted appliances are comfortable, easy to wear, and simple to maintain. Many patients find that within just a few weeks, they begin sleeping more deeply, feeling more rested, and enjoying better energy throughout the day.

How the Process Works

Our collaborative sleep treatment process ensures you receive comprehensive, medically supported care every step of the way.

1. Initial Consultation

During your first visit, Dr. Heaser will review your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle factors. If sleep apnea is suspected, we’ll recommend a home-based SleepImage Ring evaluation to gather sleep quality data. 

2. Sleep Data Review & Physician Collaboration

Once your sleep data is collected, we share it with a sleep physician who provides an official diagnosis. If obstructive sleep apnea or another sleep disorder is confirmed, we coordinate with your physician to discuss the best treatment pathway.

3. Customized Treatment Plan

Based on your diagnosis, age, and airway needs, Dr. Heaser designs a personalized oral appliance therapy plan. Whether you’re a child using guided appliance therapy or an adult starting Vivos treatment, every step is carefully planned for comfort and effectiveness.

4. Follow-Up & Adjustment

Sleep medicine isn’t one-size-fits-all. We regularly monitor your progress, adjust your appliance if needed, and coordinate with your medical team to ensure long-term success.

The Benefits of Dental Sleep Medicine

Treating sleep apnea through dental sleep medicine can transform your life, often without bulky equipment or surgery. 

Benefits include:

  • Better quality of sleep and restfulness
  • Reduced snoring and nighttime interruptions
  • Increased energy and focus during the day
  • Improved mood and cognitive function
  • Better cardiovascular health and oxygen levels
  • More comfortable, travel-friendly treatment compared to CPAP

By improving the way your body breathes at night, we can also improve how you feel, function, and live each day.

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Why Choose Three Rivers Dental for Sleep Apnea Treatment

At Three Rivers Dental, we take a whole-body approach to dental care, recognizing the deep connection between oral health and overall wellness. 

Here’s what makes our sleep medicine care unique:

  • Collaborative Medical Partnerships: We work side-by-side with sleep physicians to ensure your diagnosis and treatment plan are accurate and comprehensive. 
  • Advanced Home-Based Testing: Using the SleepImage Ring system, you can conveniently track your sleep from home without the need for an overnight lab stay. 
  • Comprehensive Care for All Ages: From early childhood to adulthood, we tailor sleep apnea therapies to meet your specific developmental and airway needs. 
  • Non-Invasive, Comfortable Treatment: Our appliance therapies are gentle, discreet, and designed to fit your lifestyle. 
  • Ongoing Support: We monitor your progress and make adjustments as your needs evolve. Improving sleep is an ongoing journey, not a one-time fix.

Dr. Evon Heaser and the Three Rivers Dental team are passionate about helping patients breathe better and live better through evidence-based, compassionate care.

Signs It’s Time to Seek Help

If you or your child experience any of the following, it may be time to talk to us about sleep apnea treatment:

  • Loud snoring or gasping during sleep
  • Constant fatigue, no matter how long you sleep
  • Waking up with headaches or a dry mouth
  • Difficulty concentrating or staying alert
  • Restless sleep or frequent nighttime awakenings
  • Mouth breathing or crowding of teeth (in children)

Even if you’ve already been diagnosed and are struggling with CPAP use, we can explore oral appliance alternatives to help you find relief and rest comfortably.

Better Sleep Starts Here

If poor sleep is taking a toll on your energy, health, or quality of life, Three Rivers Dental is here to help. With advanced technology, personalized therapy, and a caring team led by Dr. Evon Heaser, we can guide you toward better sleep and brighter mornings. 

Call Three Rivers Dental in Columbia Falls, MT today to schedule your sleep apnea consultation.

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