Real Patients. Real Results. How Oral Appliances Are Improving Sleep in Dubuque
Sleep is essential for your health, mood, energy—and even your relationships. For many adults, sleep apnea and loud snoring cause poor sleep and daily fatigue. The good news? You don’t have to rely on a bulky CPAP machine to get relief.
At Exceptional Dentistry in Dubuque, Dr. Kristen Berning offers a comfortable and effective solution: mandibular advancement devices, also known as oral sleep appliances. These small, custom-made mouthpieces help keep your airway open while you sleep, reducing or even eliminating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) symptoms.
Real Patient Experiences
“I had previously used a CPAP machine for moderate sleep apnea but found it to be bulky and didn’t like wearing a mask at night. I started using the ProSomnus appliance two months ago and I’ve noticed a significant improvement in my sleep quality and my wife reports that I’m not snoring anymore. The device itself isn’t painful and it just takes a few nights to get used to. Dr. Berning met with me numerous times for both fitting and follow up to make sure that I was comfortable with the device and answered any questions that I had. I’m so happy that I decided to try ProSomnus.”
– JW
“I’m extremely happy with my OSA mouthpiece mostly because I could not sleep a wink when I tried using a C-PAP machine. The mouthpiece is so much easier to use and tolerate. Also, I use an O2-ring device to record my oxygen level throughout the night. Without the mouthpiece I have 50 plus drops of 4% or more per night. With the mouthpiece I only have about 5 drops. And I feel much less exhausted during the day using the mouthpiece!”
– LO
What Is a Mandibular Advancement Device?
A mandibular advancement device gently moves your lower jaw forward during sleep. This opens the airway and prevents it from collapsing—helping reduce snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.
These devices are:
- Small and custom-fitted to your mouth
- Easy to travel with
- Non-invasive
- Silent—no machines or tubes
Many patients find them much more comfortable than a CPAP machine.
Who Can Benefit from an Oral Appliance?
Mandibular advancement devices are often used for:
- Mild to moderate sleep apnea
- Patients who can’t tolerate a CPAP machine
- People who snore loudly but don’t have sleep apnea
- Adults looking for a quiet, easy-to-use solution
How to Get Started
Most patients begin by doing an at-home sleep study, which is convenient and commonly ordered by your primary care provider. After your results are reviewed by a sleep physician, Dr. Kristen Berning can help determine if an oral appliance is right for you.
At Exceptional Dentistry, we work closely with sleep physicians, ENT specialists, myofunctional therapists and other professionals to help determine the best treatment for our patients. This team-based approach ensures you receive the best, most personalized care.
Backed by Science and Trusted by Patients
We use ProSomnus® oral appliances, which are clinically proven to be effective. In fact, ProSomnus reports:
“Patients treated with ProSomnus mandibular advancement devices experienced an 83% reduction in the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI), which measures sleep apnea severity.”
Why Patients Choose Dr. Kristen Berning
Dr. Kristen Berning has helped many patients:
- Decrease snoring
- Reduce or eliminate obstructive sleep apnea
- Improve daytime energy and mood
- Lower health risks associated with untreated sleep apnea, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes
She provides personalized care and close follow-up to ensure each patient gets the best result possible.
Ready to Sleep Better?
If you’re tired of being tired—and tired of your CPAP—it’s time to try something new. A mandibular advancement device could be the simple, effective solution you’ve been waiting for.
📍 Located in Dubuque, we welcome new patients from the tri-state area.
👉 Learn more or request a consultation at triexceptional.com