Sleep Apnea Treatment in Houston, TX
If You Hate Your CPAP
You Have Another Option
Get a comfortable and customized sleep apnea solution in just 2 visits – without the mask.
Sleep Apnea Treatment in Houston
Sleep apnea is not limited to loud snoring. It is a serious medical condition where your breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. This happens when muscles in the throat relax, causing a blocked airway that drops your blood oxygen levels and forces your central nervous system to wake you up to breathe.
Many patients in Houston remain underdiagnosed, dismissing other symptoms like morning headaches, irritability, or daytime fatigue. Left untreated, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is linked to:
- High blood pressure and heart disease.
- Increased risk of heart failure and stroke.
- Chronic fatigue affects regular exercise and weight loss efforts.
If your bed partner notices you struggling to breathe or gasp for air, it’s time to move beyond simple lifestyle changes and seek professional care from a specialized sleep center.
Your Path to Restorative Sleep in 3 Steps
We make the transition from exhausted to energized as seamlessly as possible.
Detailed Evaluation
We review your medical history and symptoms. If you haven’t had a recent sleep study, we can help coordinate one to measure your breathing patterns.
Customized Treatment Plan
No two airways are the same. Whether you need to treat OSA for the first time or are looking for CPAP alternatives, we design a plan tailored to your anatomy.
Outcome-Driven Care
From adjusting your mandibular advancement devices to monitoring your progress, we ensure you breathe easier every single night.
Why Patients Trust Our Sleep Apnea Center in Houston
Evidence-Based Care
We use data-driven protocols to treat sleep disorders.
Human-Centered Approach
We listen to your frustrations with CPAP masks and find solutions that actually fit your life.
Specialized Expertise
Our focus is narrow, so our results can be deep. We specialize specifically in the intersection of dental health, dental implants, and airway management.
Our Mission: Ending the “CPAP or Nothing” Narrative
At Sleep Houston Sleep and TMJ Therapy, we believe every patient deserves a choice. While continuous positive airway pressure is a standard, most patients struggle to tolerate CPAP long-term due to the air pressure or the CPAP mask.
Our mission is to provide effective, comfortable oral appliances that keep the airway open without the noise, hoses, or discomfort of a traditional CPAP machine. We help you find a healthy weight & a healthy sleep cycle through sustainable, integrated sleep treatments.
Specialized Treatment Options for Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Sleep Apnea Testing & Diagnosis
Before treating sleep apnea, we must understand its severity. We facilitate easy-to-use home sleep tests to monitor your sleep cycles and heart rate.
- Best for: Patients experiencing loud snoring or unrefreshing sleep.
- Benefit: Get a clinical diagnosis from the comfort of your own bed.
CPAP Alternatives (Oral Appliance Therapy)
An oral device called a mandibular advancement device is a custom-fit tray that gently shifts your jaw forward. This prevents the tongue from collapsing and keeps the air flow consistent.
- Best for: Patients with mild to moderate forms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or those who cannot tolerate CPAP.
- Benefit: Small, silent, and travel-friendly.
TMJ & Craniofacial Pain Relief
Sleep disorders and jaw pain often go hand-in-hand. We address the muscles of the jaw to alleviate pain and improve airway function, often assisting those with missing teeth or alignment issues.
- Best for: Patients with jaw clicking or chronic headaches.
- Benefit: Reduces pain while improving your ability to breathe during sleep.
Advanced Treatment Options to Treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Understanding Your Condition and Risk Factors
To effectively treat obstructive sleep apnea, it’s important to understand its underlying causes and risk factors. These may include excess weight, poor airway anatomy, and certain health conditions such as hypertension or diabetes. In some cases, patients may also suffer from central sleep apnea, which involves disrupted signals from the brain that affect breathing patterns.
Family members are often the first to notice symptoms like loud snoring or when a patient may stop breathing during sleep. Early diagnosis by a qualified sleep physician can prevent complications and guide the right treatment plan.
Positive Airway Pressure and CPAP Therapy
One of the most common treatments includes positive airway pressure CPAP therapy, which uses controlled air pressure to keep the airway open. A CPAP machine or other PAP devices deliver steady airflow to prevent airway collapse during sleep.
While positive airway pressure is effective, some patients struggle with discomfort due to air pressure levels or mask fit. This is why exploring alternative solutions is important for long-term success.
Alternative and Non-Invasive Treatment Options
For patients who cannot tolerate CPAP, other treatments such as oral appliance therapy provide relief. In addition, advanced solutions like nerve stimulation, including the Inspire device, target the hypoglossal nerve to maintain airway stability during sleep.
These innovative treatments help regulate breathing patterns and reduce interruptions caused by airway obstruction.
Surgical and Weight Loss Solutions
In more complex cases, surgical procedures may be recommended. These can include minimally invasive surgery or advanced surgical procedures to remove airway obstructions.
For patients with obesity-related sleep apnea, losing weight plays a critical role. Options like bariatric surgery or weight loss surgery can significantly improve symptoms and overall health.
Lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy diet and avoiding triggers like alcohol can further support treatment outcomes.
Managing Severe OSA and Long-Term Care
Patients diagnosed with severe OSA often require a combination of therapies, including PAP devices, oral appliances, or surgery. Continuous monitoring ensures that treatment remains effective over time.
Working closely with our team ensures that your condition is managed properly and adjusted as needed for long-term success.
Sleep Better Without the Stress
- No bulky equipment.
- No mask.
- Just quiet, restful sleep.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a sleep apnea center?
A sleep apnea center is a specialized medical facility dedicated to diagnosing and treating sleep apnea. At Sleep Houston, we focus on dental sleep medicine, providing oral appliances that serve as effective CPAP alternatives.
How does treatment for sleep apnea work?
Sleep apnea treatment works by ensuring the airway remains unobstructed. While a CPAP device uses pressurized air to keep the airway open, an oral appliance physically supports the jaw in a forward position to prevent throat tissues from collapsing.
Do you offer sleep apnea treatment near me in Houston?
Yes. Our sleep center is conveniently located to serve the greater Houston area, providing local access to OSA surgery consultations, oral appliances, and expert sleep evaluations.
Are oral appliances as effective as CPAP for snoring treatment?
For most patients diagnosed with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, a custom-fitted oral appliance is highly effective for snoring treatment. Unlike generic over-the-counter guards, our medical-grade devices are titrated to your specific needs to ensure your airway stays open all night.
Will insurance cover my sleep apnea treatment?
Most major medical insurance plans, including Medicare, provide coverage for treating OSA with oral appliance therapy when it is medically necessary. Our team works directly with your healthcare professional and insurance provider to maximize your benefits and minimize out-of-pocket costs.
Dr. Hans Schleicher
Dr. Hans Schleicher has been caring for patients in the Houston area since 1980, building a practice rooted in trust, compassion, and long-term relationships. A native Texan, he is known for taking a personal approach to care and for creating an experience where patients feel heard, supported, and genuinely cared for.
Today, Dr. Schleicher focuses exclusively on dental sleep medicine and TMJ care. With board credentials in dental sleep medicine, advanced training, and many years of experience helping patients with obstructive sleep apnea and CPAP intolerance, he is dedicated to providing thoughtful solutions that help patients sleep better, breathe easier, and improve their quality of life.
Recognized by:
- The International Academy of Sleep
- American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine
- American Academy of Orofacial Pain
- American Academy of Sleep Medicine
What Our Patients Are Saying
Dr. Schleicher was able to treat my TMJ pain with a mouth guard. I went in for monthly adjustments and was pain-free in 8 weeks.
B. Hoffman
My husband and I are both sleeping better since I got the appliance. Dr. Schleicher is very informative, friendly, and helpful, and the process was easy and painless.
T. Sheen
My visit with Dr. Schleicher was thorough and informative. He and his staff were welcoming and made the process easy to get the necessary treatment. This is more than a sleep consult; it is an investment in your health.
K. George
Ready to Wake Up Refreshed?
Whether you are searching for lasting relief or a better treatment experience, our team is ready to help you move toward healthier sleep.