Brunswick County · Since 1987
Sleep Apnea Treatment in Leland, NC
For diagnosed mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, a custom oral appliance holds the lower jaw forward and keeps the airway open. Many patients who cannot tolerate CPAP can tolerate this.
- Three doctors, one location
- Sedation available
- Most major plans accepted
- Written estimates before treatment
A closer look at sleep apnea appliances
The appliance looks like two connected night guards. It advances the mandible a few millimeters, which keeps the tongue and soft tissue from collapsing back during sleep.
Full detail on sleep apnea appliances ›
Why Leland patients come to us for this
Leland is the fastest-growing town in the fastest-growing county in North Carolina, and roughly a third of residents are 65 or older.
Joint and muscle pain in an older bite is often the end result of decades of wear rather than a new problem, and it responds to the same conservative treatment.
Brunswick Forest, Compass Pointe, Magnolia Greens and Waterford between them account for a large share of the town's households, and most of them are new construction.
The Cape Fear Memorial Bridge is the whole conversation for Leland patients, and we are the first practice on the Wilmington side of it.
Half of Leland arrived in the last decade, which means a lot of our new patients here are transferring records from another state rather than another practice.
We see patients from across Leland and the surrounding area, including Brunswick Forest, Compass Pointe, Magnolia Greens and the 28451 and 28479 ZIP codes.
Brunswick County is the fastest-growing county in North Carolina and the sixth fastest in the country, up about a quarter since 2020, and 35 percent of residents are 65 or older. That combination, rapid in-migration and an older population, is why so much of our Brunswick caseload is restorative.
We will tell you honestly whether this is worth doing now or whether it can be watched for a year, and we will say which of your existing work is likely to fail next.
We are the first dental practice across the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge, which makes us closer to most of Leland than anything on the Brunswick side of the river.
You may be a candidate if
- A diagnosis of mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea
- CPAP prescribed but not tolerated
- Loud snoring with witnessed pauses in breathing
- Daytime sleepiness despite adequate hours
- Enough healthy teeth to retain the appliance
The sequence of appointments
- Referral and sleep studyDiagnosis first. We coordinate with your physician.
- RecordsImpressions and a bite registration at the starting jaw position.
- DeliveryThe appliance is fitted and we show you how it seats.
- TitrationWe advance it gradually over several weeks to the effective position.
- Follow-up studyYour physician confirms it is working.
Afterwards
Morning jaw stiffness for the first weeks is common and settles. We check your bite periodically because long-term appliance wear can shift it slightly, and catching that early is easy.
If getting to follow-up visits is difficult, tell us. We can often combine checks into fewer, longer appointments.
What it costs
Oral appliances for diagnosed sleep apnea are usually a medical benefit rather than a dental one. Coverage varies and it is worth pursuing. We will help you assemble what your medical carrier asks for.
If you are on Medicare, note that it does not cover routine dental treatment. Many supplement plans include a limited dental benefit with an annual cap, and we will check yours before quoting anything.
In their own words
Hear from Dr. Josh Winneberger
Dr. Winneberger on getting you numb without you noticing, and helping nervous patients get comfortable in the chair.
Questions we get asked
Do I need a sleep study first?
Yes. We do not treat undiagnosed apnea, and a study is what tells us whether an appliance is appropriate.
Will it change my bite?
Small changes can occur over years of wear. We monitor for it, and monitored change is manageable.
How far is your office from Leland?
About 9 miles, or roughly 18 minutes via US-74/76 East over the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge. We are at 1301 Physicians Dr in Wilmington, with parking at the door.
Do you see patients from Leland?
Regularly. Leland is part of our core service area in Brunswick County, and we are the first dental practice across the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge, which makes us closer to most of Leland than anything on the Brunswick side of the river.
What are your hours?
Monday through Thursday, 8:00am to 5:00pm, and Friday, 8:00am to 12:00pm. Outside those hours, leave a message or use the appointment request form and we will come back to you with the first available time.
Sleep Apnea Treatment · Leland, NC
Honest dentistry, since 1987.
We will tell you what needs doing now, what can wait, and what we would leave alone.
- Over 50,000 patients treated since 1987
- Comprehensive new patient exam including oral cancer screening
- Three doctors and a long-tenured team
- Most major dental plans accepted
Been told you need a lot of work somewhere else? Second opinions are welcome and we give them straight.
Request an appointment
We reply the next business day.
Please do not include Protected Health Information. For anything urgent, call (910) 762-0958.
