Fujioka Family Dentistry

Dental Sleep Medicine

Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Personalized dental sleep medicine from a dentist with advanced board certification and experience helping patients manage sleep-disordered breathing.

Board Certified

Dr. Fujioka is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine.

She was among the first three dentists in Southwest Washington to earn this credential, which reflects advanced knowledge and skill in dental sleep medicine.

Dental Sleep Medicine

Advanced care for sleep-disordered breathing

The American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine credential is widely recognized as a leading standard in the field. Dental sleep medicine focuses on oral appliance therapy and other dental approaches used in cooperation with physicians to help manage snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.

Dr. Fujioka values the connection between restful sleep and overall health. Patients who suspect sleep apnea should speak with their physician and share symptoms such as heavy snoring, choking or gasping during sleep, pauses in breathing, daytime fatigue, or morning headaches.

Woman sleeping peacefully

Understanding Sleep Apnea

What is obstructive sleep apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep-related breathing disorder in which breathing repeatedly becomes reduced or stops during sleep. Because many people remain undiagnosed, recognizing common warning signs is important.

Common symptoms

  • Loud snoring
  • Repeated pauses in breathing
  • Gasping or choking during sleep
  • Dry mouth on waking
  • Morning headaches
  • Irritability or personality changes
  • Excessive daytime sleepiness
  • Poor memory or difficulty concentrating
  • Frequent nighttime urination

Why treatment matters

Sleep apnea can affect more than your sleep.

Untreated obstructive sleep apnea may contribute to significant health and safety concerns. Evaluation and appropriate treatment can improve sleep quality and help reduce related risks.

Daytime fatigue
High blood pressure
Heart problems
Heart attack
Stroke
Motor vehicle accident risk

Diagnosis & Treatment

How sleep apnea is evaluated and treated

Dental sleep appliance

Sleep Study

A sleep study may be used to diagnose sleep apnea and determine its severity. Depending on the type of study, measurements can include breathing, oxygen levels, heart rate, sleep stages, eye movement, and muscle activity.

CPAP Therapy

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a highly effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. A mask delivers gentle air pressure to help keep the airway open while you sleep.

Other Treatment Options

Depending on the patient, treatment may include a dental oral appliance that repositions the lower jaw and tongue, upper-airway surgery, nasal expiratory positive airway pressure, or hypoglossal nerve stimulation.

Patient Exercises

Jaw soreness and bite changes

Patients using an oral appliance may occasionally experience jaw soreness or changes in their bite. The practice provides exercise instructions and a short instructional video to help patients perform recommended jaw exercises.

View Exercise Instructions Visit the AADSM website

Sleep Dentistry in Vancouver, WA

Have questions about snoring, sleep apnea, or oral appliance therapy?

Call 360.696.4439