If you snore or have been diagnosed with mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnea — and CPAP just isn't working for you — a custom oral appliance may be a comfortable way to sleep and breathe more easily. At Kentfield Dental, we fit and manage the Herbst appliance, a small, durable mouthpiece that gently positions your lower jaw slightly forward to help keep your airway open during sleep. It's important to know your role and ours: sleep apnea is diagnosed by a physician through a sleep study. Working in coordination with your doctor or sleep specialist, Dr. Soroush Ghaffarpour ("Dr. G") provides the appliance side of your care here in Kentfield.
What is a sleep apnea oral appliance?
An oral appliance for sleep is a custom-made dental device, worn only while you sleep, that helps keep your upper airway open. The most common type is a mandibular advancement device (MAD): it fits over your upper and lower teeth like a snug retainer and holds your lower jaw in a slightly forward position. That small shift helps prevent the tongue and soft tissues at the back of the throat from collapsing and blocking airflow — the obstruction behind both snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
The specific appliance we provide is the Herbst appliance, which is FDA-cleared to treat obstructive sleep apnea. Compared with many other oral appliances, the Herbst is notably more rigid and durable: a robust telescopic hinge connects the upper and lower pieces, so it holds its position well over years of use while still allowing some natural side-to-side and opening jaw movement for comfort. An oral appliance is one recognized option for snoring and mild-to-moderate OSA, and it is managed alongside the physician who diagnosed your condition.
How we fit your Herbst appliance in Kentfield
We start where it matters: your diagnosis. Because OSA is a medical condition diagnosed by a physician through a sleep study, we coordinate with your doctor or sleep specialist and ask that you have a diagnosis and, often, a prescription before we make an appliance. With that in hand, Dr. G evaluates your teeth, bite, and jaw to confirm an oral appliance is a sensible fit. Rather than messy impression putty, we capture a precise digital scan of your teeth with our 3Shape scanner, and the Herbst is fabricated to your exact bite. At delivery, Dr. G seats the appliance, sets a comfortable starting jaw position, and shows you how to wear and care for it. Over follow-up visits we fine-tune the advancement, and your physician can confirm the result with follow-up sleep testing.
- Diagnosis and care coordinated with your physician or sleep specialist
- FDA-cleared Herbst appliance — rigid, durable, with a robust telescopic hinge
- Precise 3Shape digital scan instead of goopy impression putty
- Custom-built to your exact bite for a secure, comfortable fit
- Gradual, gentle adjustment of jaw position over follow-up visits
- Compact and travel-friendly — no machine, hose, mask, or electricity
Why patients choose us for this
A comfortable CPAP alternative
For many people with mild-to-moderate OSA who can't tolerate CPAP, a custom oral appliance offers a far less intrusive way to support open breathing during sleep — no mask, hose, or machine noise.
Quiet and travel-friendly
The Herbst is small enough to slip in a bag, needs no electricity, and is easy to pack — a practical option for frequent travelers and anyone who finds CPAP cumbersome on the road.
Can quiet snoring
By gently advancing the lower jaw, the appliance helps open the airway and can noticeably reduce snoring — often a welcome change for both you and your sleep partner.
Rigid, durable design
The Herbst uses a robust hinge mechanism that holds up well long-term while still allowing some natural jaw movement, making it sturdier than many softer appliances on the market.
Custom-fit, not one-size
Built from a precise digital scan of your bite, your appliance is made to seat securely and feel comfortable — quite different from a bulky boil-and-bite mouthpiece from the drugstore.
Care close to home
We fit and adjust your appliance right here in Kentfield, in coordination with your physician — so Marin patients can manage this part of their care without traveling far.
What to expect
Diagnosis with your physician
Sleep apnea is diagnosed by a physician through a sleep study. We coordinate with your doctor or sleep specialist and ask that you have a diagnosis — and often a prescription — before we make an appliance.
Dental evaluation & digital scan
Dr. G examines your teeth, bite, and jaw to confirm an oral appliance is a good fit, then captures a precise 3Shape digital scan of your mouth — no impression putty required.
Custom Herbst fitting
Your FDA-cleared Herbst appliance is built to your exact bite. At delivery, Dr. G seats it, sets a comfortable starting jaw position, and shows you how to wear, clean, and store it.
Adjustment & follow-up
Over follow-up visits we gently fine-tune the jaw advancement for comfort and effect, and your physician can confirm the outcome with follow-up sleep testing.
Is an oral appliance right for you?
An oral appliance is one option for snoring and for mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnea, particularly when CPAP has been difficult to tolerate. Because OSA must be diagnosed by a physician through a sleep study, the first step is a medical diagnosis — we then work alongside your doctor to determine whether an appliance is appropriate and to confirm the results. Severe OSA often calls for CPAP or other medical therapy, so Dr. G will review your situation honestly and refer back to your physician when that's the better path. The signs below suggest it may be worth a conversation.
- You've been diagnosed with mild-to-moderate OSA by a physician and want an alternative to CPAP
- You've tried CPAP but find the mask, hose, or machine hard to tolerate
- You snore and want a custom option that's more effective than over-the-counter mouthpieces
- You travel often and want a compact device that needs no power or equipment
- Your physician or sleep specialist has suggested oral appliance therapy
- You have enough healthy teeth and a jaw that can comfortably hold an appliance
Frequently asked questions
No. Obstructive sleep apnea is a medical condition that must be diagnosed by a physician, usually through a sleep study. The dental role is providing and managing the oral appliance once you have a diagnosis. At Kentfield Dental, we fit your Herbst appliance in coordination with your doctor or sleep specialist.
The Herbst is a mandibular advancement device — it gently holds your lower jaw slightly forward while you sleep. That position helps keep the tongue and soft throat tissues from collapsing and blocking your airway, which is the obstruction behind snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. It does not cure the condition, but for the right patients it can meaningfully help.
For many people with mild-to-moderate OSA, especially those who can't tolerate CPAP, an oral appliance is a recognized and far less intrusive option — no mask, hose, or machine. Severe OSA often still needs CPAP or other medical therapy, so we'll work with your physician to determine the right approach for you.
The Herbst is FDA-cleared to treat obstructive sleep apnea and is notably more rigid and durable than many other appliances. Its robust hinge mechanism holds your jaw position reliably over the long term while still allowing some natural jaw movement for comfort.
It can noticeably reduce snoring for many patients by helping open the airway, and partners often notice a real difference. Results vary from person to person, though, so we can't promise it will eliminate snoring entirely. Dr. G will set honest expectations based on your situation.
Most patients adjust within a couple of weeks. Because the Herbst is custom-built from a digital scan of your bite, it's made to seat securely and comfortably, and it's compact and travel-friendly — no electricity, hose, or mask. If anything feels off as you settle in, Dr. G can fine-tune the fit during follow-up visits.