At a Glance
- Provider: Dr. Michael Adler, LVI-trained in neuromuscular dentistry, treats mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea
- Approach: custom-fitted MicrO2 oral appliance, an alternative to CPAP
- Process: in-office exam, at-home sleep study using a wearable recorder, custom appliance fitting, and a follow-up sleep study to confirm effectiveness
- Candidates: patients diagnosed with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea who struggle with CPAP compliance
- Location: Boulder, CO, serving Boulder and nearby Front Range communities
If you've been told by a spouse or family member that you frequently snore and sometimes gasp for air during the night, you may be suffering from sleep apnea — a disorder in which your airway becomes fully or partially blocked while you sleep, causing your breathing to stop repeatedly through the night and depriving your body of the oxygen it needs.
Dr. Michael Adler understands the frustration this disorder causes and has extensive training and experience helping patients get a restful night's sleep. While sleep apnea isn't itself an oral health issue, it can be effectively treated with advanced, noninvasive oral appliances — an approach Dr. Adler offers as part of his broader holistic dentistry practice.
To learn more about the sleep apnea treatments available, contact Adler Advanced Dentistry at 303-449-1119 to schedule a consultation. We proudly provide dental care to those who live in Boulder and nearby Front Range communities in Colorado.
"Great people, innovative care. Actively helping me with my sleep apnea/TMJ after many dead ends. I am so grateful."
— Sasha (Alexandra) Dunbar
What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common form of sleep apnea. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, obstructive sleep apnea affects nearly 30 million Americans, with an estimated 80% of cases going undiagnosed.
OSA can occur when there's a problem with your jawbone position, when your tongue or throat muscles relax excessively during sleep, or when enlarged tonsils or adenoids press down on your airway. When the airway is blocked, your diaphragm and chest muscles have to work harder to pull in air — which can cause you to gasp for air dozens of times a night, briefly waking your brain each time to resume breathing. Left untreated, OSA can contribute to serious health issues, including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and depression.
What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Disruptive snoring followed by choking or gasping sounds during the night is one of the most common signs of sleep apnea — caused by the tongue partially or fully blocking the airway during sleep. An imbalanced jaw, whether from missing teeth or muscle tension, can also contribute to loud snoring and disturbed sleep. Other symptoms to watch for include:
- Frequent morning headaches
- Waking with a dry mouth or sore throat
- Excessive daytime fatigue
- Memory and concentration problems
- Irritability and mood swings
- Insomnia or repeatedly waking and gasping for air
- Decreased libido
- Heartburn and acid reflux
- Irregular heartbeats
Children can also experience sleep apnea, often showing different symptoms such as excessive snoring, daytime hyperactivity or attention problems, restless sleep, bed-wetting, or slower-than-expected growth.
Sleep Apnea Risk Factors
Nearly anyone can develop obstructive sleep apnea, but some factors make it more likely.
Factors you can't change:
- Age: most common in adults 30 and older
- Gender: more common in men
- Genetics: a family history of sleep apnea
- Menopause: more common in women who have gone through menopause
- Spine or facial structure: conditions like scoliosis, or head and face abnormalities, can interfere with breathing
- Race and ethnicity: research has found higher OSA prevalence or severity among Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American populations compared to non-Hispanic white populations, and that Black and African American patients tend to present with more severe OSA at a younger age — differences researchers attribute in part to factors like obesity prevalence rather than ethnicity alone
Factors you can change:
- Obesity: the single most common contributing factor
- Neck circumference: more tissue around the neck can increase risk
- Enlarged nose, mouth, or throat tissue: can block the airway during sleep
- Alcohol or certain medications: sedatives and sleeping pills can relax airway muscles
- Smoking: nicotine relaxes muscles that may block the airway
Diagnosis and Treatment
On your first visit, Dr. Adler conducts a dental exam to confirm your oral health status, then sets you up with an at-home sleep study using the Medibyte Jr., a wearable, wireless recorder worn around the chest overnight. It measures blood oxygen saturation, pulse rate, airflow, respiratory effort, snoring levels, and body movement and position. A team of sleep specialists then interprets the data to determine the severity of your sleep apnea.
MicrO2 Appliance
For patients diagnosed with mild to moderate OSA, Dr. Adler offers a custom-made MicrO2 oral appliance. It works by gently pulling the jaw forward to keep the airway open, using the smallest amount of material possible to minimize bulkiness. Once a sleep physician confirms you're a candidate, Dr. Adler takes impressions for your custom device, walks you through how to use and care for it, and follows up with a second at-home sleep study to confirm the appliance is working and make any needed adjustments. Our post on who's a good candidate for the MicrO2 appliance covers this in more detail.
CPAP Machine
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is the most common sleep apnea treatment, using a machine to keep the airway open through the night. It's effective, but many patients find it uncomfortable to sleep connected to a machine, which can lead to poor compliance. Dr. Adler finds that the MicrO2 appliance achieves a higher level of patient acceptance while remaining backed by a substantial body of clinical research. Our post comparing oral appliance therapy to CPAP can help you weigh the two options.
Why Treatment Matters
Sleep apnea's effects reach well beyond feeling tired — untreated OSA is linked to measurable, well-studied risks to both the body and the brain.
Cardiovascular and Metabolic Risk
Repeated drops in oxygen during sleep put real strain on the cardiovascular system over time. A systematic review of OSA and cardiovascular disease found that OSA increases the risk of heart failure by an estimated 140%, stroke by 60%, and coronary heart disease by 30%. OSA is also strongly associated with high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome, and these risks tend to rise with the severity of the condition.
Cognitive and Mental Health Impact
The effects aren't limited to the heart. A meta-analysis pooling 39 cohort studies found that obstructive sleep apnea was associated with a 33% higher risk of all-cause dementia and a 45% higher risk of Alzheimer's disease specifically, compared to people without OSA. Researchers point to a few likely mechanisms: repeated overnight oxygen deprivation, disrupted deep sleep, and impaired clearance of certain proteins in the brain during sleep. Day to day, patients with untreated OSA also commonly report memory lapses, difficulty concentrating, and mood changes — effects that can compound over months and years of poor sleep.
Because these risks build cumulatively, earlier diagnosis and treatment matter. Dr. Adler's treatment plans are built around this reality — not just relieving symptoms like snoring and daytime fatigue, but supporting your long-term cardiovascular and cognitive health.
Why Choose Dr. Michael Adler for Sleep Apnea Treatment?
Dr. Michael Adler is a nationally recognized dentist with over 30 years of experience in Boulder. He holds a Fellowship from the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI) in neuromuscular dentistry — training that's directly relevant to effective sleep apnea treatment — as well as a Fellowship from the International Association of Comprehensive Aesthetics (IACA). He is also certified in Invisalign® orthodontics and served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Public Health Service, recognized by Surgeon General Dr. C. Everett Koop. His dedication to advanced training and personalized care makes him a trusted choice for sleep apnea treatment in Boulder, CO.
Schedule Your Sleep Apnea Consultation in Boulder Today
You spend nearly a third of your life asleep — it's worth making sure that time actually restores you. Dr. Adler works with you to find a sleep apnea solution that fits your needs, so you can wake up feeling rested and alert. To learn if his noninvasive treatment options are right for you, call 303-449-1119 and schedule a consultation today.
