We Help You Breathe Better and Sleep Deeper.
We treat the whole airway, screening for sleep apnea, breathing dysfunction, and airway restriction.
Why dentists? Because your airway starts in your mouth.
The shape of your jaw, the position of your tongue, and the structure of your palate directly determine how well you breathe, especially at night. These are dental structures, and dentists trained in airway medicine can identify and treat the root causes of snoring, sleep apnea, and breathing dysfunction.
Most medical providers treat symptoms: CPAP machines, medications, referrals. We look upstream: at the anatomy of the airway and what can be done to open it permanently, without surgery, and without a device you wear every night for the rest of your life.
"Good health starts with breathing. Our body's highest priority is getting its next breath of air, and when we struggle, it shows up everywhere else in our health."
Snoring is the sound of a partially obstructed airway. It's not just annoying; it signals reduced oxygen flow that strains the heart and disrupts sleep quality.
Obstructive sleep apnea is a serious medical condition linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, depression, and increased stroke risk.
CPAP is effective when used consistently, but compliance is poor. Dental appliances, airway expansion, and laser therapy offer lasting alternatives.
Conditions we identify
At every appointment, we look beyond your teeth. Our airway-trained team screens for the structural and behavioral patterns that drive poor sleep and breathing.
Snoring
The sound of a partially obstructed airway, often the first sign of a deeper breathing problem.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Repeated breathing pauses during sleep that deprive your body of oxygen and fragment restorative sleep.
Mouth Breathing
Chronic mouth breathing bypasses nasal filtration and sets the stage for airway restriction and facial underdevelopment.
Tongue & Lip Ties
Restricted frenum tissue limits tongue mobility, affecting airway posture, swallowing, and speech.
Restricted Airways
Narrow palates, crowded teeth, and underdeveloped jaws reduce the space your tongue and airway need to function.
Children's Airway Issues
Mouth breathing, snoring, bedwetting, and behavioral problems in children are often linked to airway restriction, not behavior.
From sleep studies to palate expansion,
we treat the root cause.
No one-size-fits-all solutions. We match the right treatment to your specific airway anatomy, sleep data, and health goals.
Sleep Studies
We offer home sleep tests and in-office evaluations to diagnose sleep apnea accurately, with no hospital required.
Learn moreAirway Scans (CBCT)
3D cone beam imaging reveals the true shape of your airway, jaw, and nasal passages, giving us the full picture.
Learn moreVivos DNA Appliances
Non-surgical palate expansion that permanently widens your airway by developing the mid-face: no surgery, no scalpel.
Learn moreNightLase® Laser
Laser therapy that tightens soft palate tissue to reduce snoring: three 20-minute sessions, no cutting, virtually painless.
Learn moreLaser Frenectomy
Gentle laser release of lip and tongue ties that restrict airway posture, feeding, and breathing from birth onward.
Learn moreMyofunctional Therapy
Retraining tongue position and oral muscle function to support nasal breathing and proper airway posture long-term.
Learn moreMultiple of our doctors are Buteyko Breathing certified.
Buteyko Breathing is a clinically validated method for retraining dysfunctional breathing patterns: improving nasal breathing, reducing over-breathing, and supporting airway health without medication. We are one of the few dental practices in the country with multiple Buteyko-certified providers on staff.
You don't need a diagnosis to start the conversation.
Many of our airway patients had no idea their symptoms were connected to breathing. They came in for a cleaning, and left with answers that changed their lives.
No referral is needed. We screen every patient for airway and sleep concerns as part of our comprehensive new patient exam. If we find something, we'll explain it clearly and walk you through your options.
Adults with Sleep & Breathing Issues
- Snoring or gasping during sleep
- Diagnosed or suspected sleep apnea
- CPAP intolerance or non-compliance
- Waking up exhausted despite a full night's sleep
- Daytime fatigue, brain fog, or difficulty concentrating
Children with Airway Concerns
- Mouth breathing at rest or during sleep
- Snoring, teeth grinding, or restless sleep
- Bedwetting beyond typical ages
- Attention, focus, or behavioral concerns
- Crowded teeth or underdeveloped jaw
Anyone Who Suspects a Problem
- Dark circles or puffiness under the eyes
- Chronically dry mouth or sore throat in the morning
- Headaches upon waking
- High blood pressure with no clear cause
- A bed partner who's been told they stop breathing
Real patients. Real results.
Airway treatment changes lives, from better sleep to improved focus, breathing, and energy.
"I am so grateful for Dr. Ehde and her staff. She is knowledgeable, kind, patient, and truly cares for her patients. She is helping my son achieve a better airway so he will get less cavities, sleep better and develop better. The best dental experience for my son. Thank you so very much."
"I really love this office. Everyone is nice and the equipment is state-of-the art. I had a consultation about my sleep apnea and I don't think I have ever had a doctor spend so much time educating me and answering my questions. It is obvious they really care for their patients and love what they are doing."
"I am so impressed by the staff at Camarillo Smiles. I previously received cutting edge, newest, best advances in treatment options for sleep apnea. I also received professional teeth whitening. PresentlyI am near completion of my Invisalign treatment. Dr. Czubiak and Dr. Ehde Have been so professional, kind, and outstanding in every way with me. Gratitude."
Airway & Sleep FAQ
-
Can my dentist really help with sleep apnea?
Yes. Dentists trained in airway medicine play a critical role in diagnosing and treating sleep-disordered breathing. We offer home sleep tests, oral appliances, airway expansion (Vivos), laser therapy (NightLase), and myofunctional therapy, all of which are evidence-based treatments for snoring and sleep apnea. We also coordinate with sleep physicians when medical management is appropriate.
-
Do I need a referral to be seen for airway concerns?
No referral is needed. You can schedule a new patient appointment or request an airway-specific consultation directly. We screen all new patients for airway and sleep concerns as part of our comprehensive exam. If you already have a sleep study report from your doctor, bring it and we can review it together.
-
Is airway treatment covered by insurance?
Coverage varies. Oral appliances for sleep apnea are often covered under medical insurance (not dental), especially when accompanied by a sleep study and diagnosis. Laser treatments, Vivos appliances, and myofunctional therapy may be partially covered depending on your plan. Our team will review your benefits and explain your options before any treatment begins.
-
How long does airway treatment take?
It depends on the treatment. NightLase consists of three 20-minute sessions spaced 3 weeks apart. Oral appliances are typically delivered within 2–3 weeks. Vivos palate expansion is a longer commitment, usually 12–24 months, but addresses the root cause structurally. We'll give you a clear timeline at your consultation.
-
Do you treat children for airway issues?
Absolutely, and early intervention makes a significant difference. Many children with chronic mouth breathing, snoring, bedwetting, or behavioral concerns have an underlying airway issue. We see children of all ages and offer age-appropriate treatments including palate expansion, frenectomy (tongue/lip tie release), and myofunctional therapy referrals.
-
What's the difference between a CPAP and an oral appliance?
A CPAP machine delivers pressurized air to keep the airway open. It is highly effective when used consistently, but roughly 50% of patients abandon it within a year due to discomfort. An oral appliance repositions the lower jaw to mechanically open the airway during sleep, and is quieter, portable, and more comfortable for most patients. For mild to moderate sleep apnea, oral appliances are an excellent CPAP alternative. We can discuss which option fits your diagnosis and lifestyle.
Still have questions?
Contact Us →Ready to breathe better and sleep deeper?
New patients welcome. No referral needed. Early mornings, evenings & select Saturdays.