Oral appliance therapy is a guideline-recognized option for adults with sleep apnea who can't tolerate CPAP or prefer an alternative, after a physician's diagnosis with a sleep study. We also see adults for snoring.
Tell us about your sleep. Our treatment coordinator will reach out the same business day.
When the airway narrows during sleep, the body works harder to keep breathing stable. That extra effort shows up in ways that often seem unrelated to breathing.
If these sound familiar, your airway may be working harder than it should to maintain stable breathing during sleep. If sleep apnea is possible, the first step is a sleep study with a physician.
For sleep apnea, the treatment we provide is a custom oral appliance, after a physician's diagnosis. NightLase and CMDI training are supporting options, not sleep apnea treatments on their own.
After a physician diagnoses obstructive sleep apnea with a sleep study, a custom oral appliance is a guideline-recognized option for adults who can't tolerate CPAP or prefer an alternative.
NightLase laser therapy may reduce snoring for some patients; it is not a treatment for sleep apnea on its own.
CMDI functional airway training works on breathing and muscle-coordination habits. It is not a treatment for sleep apnea on its own.
We provide oral appliance therapy for snoring and physician-diagnosed sleep apnea, with NightLase and CMDI airway training as supporting options. Patients come to Lafayette from across Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, and Kentucky.
About an hour from Indianapolis and a day trip from Chicago and Fort Wayne. We group sessions so out-of-town care takes fewer trips.
We use Fotona NightLase, a non-surgical laser treatment of the palate and throat tissues. It may reduce snoring for some patients; it is not a treatment for sleep apnea on its own.
If you can't tolerate CPAP, oral appliance therapy is a guideline-recognized option to discuss with your sleep physician.
CBCT 3D imaging and CMDI functional mapping help plan appliance and airway care. They don't diagnose sleep apnea; a physician's sleep study does.
We look at the appliance, snoring, and breathing habits together, and coordinate with your sleep physician.
For out-of-town patients we group appointments efficiently so treatment fits fewer trips.
For adults with obstructive sleep apnea who can't tolerate CPAP or prefer an alternative, a custom oral appliance is a guideline-recognized option after a physician's diagnosis with a sleep study. Your sleep physician confirms the diagnosis and follow-up testing checks how well the appliance is working. NightLase and CMDI training are not treatments for sleep apnea on their own.
Common signs include snoring, mouth breathing during sleep, waking tired, daytime fatigue, clenching or grinding teeth, morning headaches, jaw tension, and difficulty tolerating CPAP. These may indicate the airway is working harder to maintain stable breathing.
The Adult Airway Program includes CBCT airway imaging, CMDI airway mapping, NightLase laser therapy (3 sessions), and CMDI functional airway training. If a custom oral appliance is indicated after a physician's diagnosis, that is discussed separately. You will receive a complete written estimate at your consultation, and monthly financing is available.
NightLase is a non-invasive laser therapy of the soft tissues of the palate and throat, done over a short series of sessions. It may reduce snoring for some patients; it is not a treatment for sleep apnea on its own.
No. Sleep apnea is diagnosed by a physician, usually with a sleep study. We evaluate the mouth, jaw, and airway, and if sleep apnea is suspected we'll recommend a sleep study with a physician. Once you have a diagnosis, we coordinate oral appliance therapy with your sleep physician.
Request a consultation. We'll explain oral appliance therapy and how it fits with your physician's diagnosis and care.
Request a Consultation βAbout the doctor: Shane Cope, DDS, MSD β specialist in periodontics (Indiana University School of Dentistry) and in oral medicine and orofacial pain (University of Southern California).
Last reviewed October 2026
Highland Creek Family Dental's general dentists: Dr. Melinda Bodine, DDS (East Office) Β· Dr. Han Na Park (South Office).
Dr. Shane Cope, DDS, is a specialist in periodontics, oral medicine, and orofacial pain. Dental services on this site outside periodontics, oral medicine, and orofacial pain are provided by general dentists. Your right to a Good Faith Estimate.