27+
Years Serving Boulder
735+
Five-Star Google Reviews
3
Financing Options Accepted
100%
Fee-for-Service Practice
Poor sleep affects every part of your life, and for many people in Boulder and the surrounding communities, the cause runs deeper than stress or a bad mattress. Sleep apnea is a chronic condition in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts throughout the night, preventing you from reaching the restorative sleep your body needs. It often goes unrecognized for years, even as it quietly affects your energy, your focus, and your long-term health.
At Alber Dental Studio, we offer oral appliance therapy for patients who have been diagnosed with sleep apnea or who suspect they may be struggling with sleep-disordered breathing. Dr. Marc Alber brings over 26 years of experience to every patient interaction and takes a thorough, detail-oriented approach to care. Our general dentistry services are designed to address the full scope of your oral health, and sleep apnea treatment is a natural extension of that commitment to your overall well-being.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is far more prevalent than most people realize. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, obstructive sleep apnea affects nearly 30 million Americans, and an estimated 80% of cases remain undiagnosed. The most common form, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), occurs when the soft tissues at the back of the throat collapse and block the airway during sleep. This causes the body to partially wake in order to resume breathing, sometimes dozens or even hundreds of times per night without the person being fully aware.
Recognizing the signs of sleep apnea is the first step toward getting the help you need. While a formal diagnosis requires a sleep study conducted or ordered by a physician, there are several indicators that may suggest you are experiencing sleep-disordered breathing. Common symptoms include loud, chronic snoring, waking frequently during the night or feeling unrefreshed in the morning, excessive daytime sleepiness or difficulty concentrating, headaches upon waking, dry mouth or sore throat when you wake up, and episodes of gasping or choking during sleep often reported by a bed partner. Untreated sleep apnea is associated with a range of serious health consequences, including elevated blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and increased stroke risk.
How Dentistry Plays a Role in Sleep Apnea Treatment
Many patients are surprised to learn that their dentist can play an active role in managing sleep apnea. Dentists who focus on dental sleep medicine are trained to evaluate the oral anatomy factors that contribute to airway obstruction and to provide custom-fitted oral appliances as an alternative or complement to other therapies. Oral appliance therapy involves wearing a custom-fabricated device during sleep that repositions the lower jaw and tongue slightly forward, which helps keep the airway open throughout the night. These appliances are compact, comfortable, and easy to travel with, making them a preferred choice for many patients who find other treatment options difficult to use consistently.
At Alber Dental Studio, oral appliances are fabricated to the precise specifications of your bite and jaw structure. Our dental technology supports accurate, comfortable fittings that translate into better outcomes and greater long-term compliance. We work collaboratively with your physician or sleep specialist throughout the process to ensure your care is coordinated and appropriate to your diagnosis. Oral appliance therapy is generally well-suited for patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, as well as those with severe OSA who are unable to tolerate other treatment options.
What to Expect at Alber Dental Studio
Beginning sleep apnea treatment at our Boulder practice starts with a thorough evaluation. We review your medical history, assess your oral anatomy, and discuss your symptoms in detail to determine whether oral appliance therapy is an appropriate option for your specific situation. From there, we take precise measurements and impressions to fabricate your custom device. Follow-up appointments allow us to make any necessary adjustments and confirm that the appliance is functioning as intended. Ongoing communication with your physician is a priority throughout your care, as monitoring your response to treatment is important for long-term success.
- Patients diagnosed with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea
- Patients with severe OSA who cannot tolerate CPAP therapy
- Patients who snore chronically and want an evaluation
- Patients who travel frequently and need a portable solution
- Patients experiencing daytime fatigue linked to poor sleep quality
- Patients whose bed partner has reported gasping or breathing pauses
Dr. Alber will explain all your options clearly and recommend only what your situation actually calls for.
What to Expect at Your Visit
Medical History & Symptom Review
Dr. Alber reviews your medical and dental history, your sleep symptoms, and any physician notes or sleep study results. This information guides which appliance design and degree of jaw repositioning will be most effective for your anatomy.
Oral Anatomy Evaluation & Appliance Selection
Dr. Alber evaluates your jaw, bite, airway, and soft tissue anatomy to determine the optimal appliance type and positioning. Digital impressions capture your bite precisely so the device fits accurately from the first wearing.
Custom Appliance Fabrication & Fitting
Your custom oral appliance is fabricated to the precise specifications of your bite and jaw structure. At your fitting appointment, Dr. Alber ensures the device is comfortable and positioned correctly before you take it home.
Adjustment, Monitoring & Physician Coordination
Follow-up appointments allow for any necessary adjustments to the appliance position and confirm that symptoms are improving. We maintain communication with your physician or sleep specialist throughout to ensure your care is coordinated.
Ready to Sleep Better?
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Alber and get an honest assessment of your options. No pressure — just clear answers.
Ready to Schedule? We Are Accepting New Patients.
Call our Boulder office or request an appointment online. Same-day appointments available for dental emergencies.
Dr. Alber Explains Sleep Apnea Treatment
Questions About Your Care
Honest Answers at Every Visit
At Alber Dental Studio, every recommendation is explained clearly. If you have a question about what Dr. Alber found, why he is recommending something, or what happens if you wait, ask. We would rather spend time answering questions than have a patient leave uncertain.
| Oral Appliance Therapy | CPAP Therapy | |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Custom-fitted device worn during sleep; repositions the jaw | Continuous air pressure delivered through a mask during sleep |
| Longevity | Compact, silent, and easy to travel with | Highly effective; considered the gold standard for moderate-severe OSA |
| Stain resistance | Mild to moderate OSA; patients who cannot tolerate CPAP | Moderate to severe OSA; patients who tolerate mask therapy well |
| Tooth reduction | High compliance — comfortable and unobtrusive during sleep | Some patients struggle with comfort, noise, or travel inconvenience |
| Best for | Patients seeking a discreet, portable CPAP alternative | Patients with severe OSA or those who adapt well to mask therapy |
Your Next Step
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you are due for a routine visit or establishing care for the first time, scheduling is straightforward. New patients are welcome. Call or request an appointment online and our team will get you set up.
We see patients of all ages across the full health spectrum. If you are new to Alber Dental Studio, your first visit establishes a complete baseline so we have something meaningful to compare against at every future appointment.
Dr. Alber and the team take the time to understand your goals, your health history, and your concerns before making any recommendations. The care you receive reflects your specific situation — not a template.
We accept HSA and FSA funds and offer 0% financing through CareCredit, Cherry, and Altheon. For patients without insurance, our in-house membership plan covers routine visits at a predictable annual cost.
Routine visits are covered in whole or in part by most dental insurance plans. We are a fee-for-service practice and provide documentation for out-of-network reimbursement. Visit our financing page for full details.
Sleep Apnea Treatment With Flexible Payment Options
We understand that cost and insurance coverage can be a concern when seeking sleep apnea treatment. Our team is happy to walk you through your financing options, including CareCredit, Cherry, and Altheon, so that getting the treatment you need does not have to wait. We also accept HSA and FSA funds and will provide a full breakdown of costs before any treatment begins.
Also at Alber Dental Studio
Also at Alber Dental Studio
Dr. Alber offers a full range of dental services cosmetic dentistry offering at Alber Dental Studio.
Routine exams, cleanings, and preventive care for the whole family — the foundation of long-term oral health.
Permanent tooth replacement that restores full chewing function and prevents bone loss after tooth extraction.
Crowns, fillings, bridges, root canals, and full mouth reconstruction to repair and rebuild compromised teeth.
Nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation available for anxious patients or complex procedures.
Read What Our Customers Are Saying
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between sleep apnea and snoring?
Do I need a sleep study before getting an oral appliance?
How does an oral appliance compare to a CPAP machine?
How long does it take to get used to an oral appliance?
Will my insurance cover sleep apnea treatment?
Can sleep apnea go away on its own?
Alber Dental Studio: Sleep Apnea Treatment in Boulder, CO
Dr. Marc Alber and the team at Alber Dental Studio are committed to providing care that looks beyond the teeth and gums to support your overall health. We have served the Boulder community for over 26 years, and our approach has always been rooted in thorough diagnostics, personalized treatment, and honest communication. You can learn more about Dr. Alber’s background and philosophy by visiting his provider profile. If you have been told you snore loudly, wake up exhausted despite a full night in bed, or have already received a sleep apnea diagnosis and are looking for a more comfortable treatment option, we encourage you to reach out. Contact our office to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward better sleep and better health.