Sleep disorders affect millions of people and significantly impact overall health, energy, and quality of life. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common sleep disorder, occurring when the airway becomes blocked during sleep, causing breathing pauses and poor oxygen levels. Other sleep disorders include central sleep apnea, sleep-related hypoventilation, and sleep bruxism (teeth grinding). Many people don’t realize their sleep problems are connected to jaw positioning, TMJ dysfunction, or airway anatomy. At our Beverly Hills practice, Dr. Bruce Vafa specializes in recognizing how dental and jaw factors contribute to sleep-disordered breathing and poor sleep quality.
Sleep disorders often go undiagnosed because people assume their symptoms are normal. Loud snoring, daytime fatigue, morning headaches, difficulty concentrating, and waking up gasping for air are all warning signs of obstructive sleep apnea or other sleep disorders. Untreated sleep apnea increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, and metabolic disorders. As a holistic dentist and sleep apnea specialist in Beverly Hills, Dr. Vafa understands that quality sleep is foundational to wellness. When airway obstruction prevents restful sleep, it affects every system in your body. Our comprehensive approach evaluates how your jaw anatomy, bite alignment, and facial structure impact your airway and sleep quality.
Treatment for sleep disorders depends on the type and severity of your condition. For obstructive sleep apnea, oral appliance therapy using mandibular advancement devices (MAD) is highly effective and offers a comfortable alternative to CPAP machines. These custom-fitted devices gently move the lower jaw forward to open the airway, allowing normal breathing during sleep. Dr. Vafa designs personalized oral sleep appliances that optimize airway space while minimizing jaw joint stress. Sleep studies and home sleep apnea tests (HSAT) help diagnose sleep disorders and measure severity, guiding treatment decisions. Digital imaging and airway analysis allow us to identify anatomical factors contributing to airway obstruction.
Beyond oral appliance therapy, treatment may include positional therapy to encourage sleeping on your side, lifestyle modifications like weight management and sleep hygiene improvements, and addressing underlying TMJ dysfunction that may restrict airway space. For patients with complex sleep disorders, we collaborate with sleep medicine physicians and ENT specialists in the Beverly Hills and Los Angeles area. Dr. Vafa’s holistic approach addresses root causes including stress management, postural correction, and identifying how sleep bruxism or teeth grinding relates to sleep fragmentation. Each treatment plan is customized because sleep disorders manifest differently in each patient. Our goal is to restore restful, restorative sleep while improving overall health and daytime function.
Dr. Bruce Vafa brings specialized training in sleep apnea management, TMJ disorders, and the connection between airway function and dental health. His postgraduate studies in orofacial diseases and oral and maxillofacial pain provide deep understanding of how jaw and facial structure impact breathing during sleep. Since pioneering holistic dental care in 1989, Dr. Vafa has helped thousands of Beverly Hills and West Hollywood patients achieve restful sleep without relying solely on CPAP machines. His commitment to state-of-the-art diagnostic technology including digital imaging, airway analysis, and sleep study integration ensures accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.
What sets our practice apart is our integrated approach to sleep disorders. We don’t just provide an oral appliance—we investigate why your airway is obstructed and address underlying factors contributing to sleep-disordered breathing. Dr. Vafa treats every patient like family, spending time to understand your symptoms and explain how treatment will improve your sleep and health. Our Beverly Hills office uses biocompatible materials and non-invasive treatment approaches that work with your body’s natural healing. We are active members of professional organizations including the American Dental Association and Academy of General Dentistry. When you choose Dr. Vafa for sleep disorder treatment, you’re choosing a Beverly Hills specialist whose expertise, compassion, and commitment to your wellness create lasting results.
“Sleep disorders are often misunderstood as simply snoring or feeling tired. Through my specialized training in sleep apnea and airway function, I’ve learned that untreated sleep disorders damage your heart, brain, and entire body. Many people don’t realize their sleep problems are connected to their jaw position and airway anatomy. My holistic approach investigates why you’re not sleeping well and addresses the root cause. Whether your sleep disorder stems from airway obstruction, jaw misalignment, or TMJ dysfunction, my goal is to restore restful sleep and improve your health. With advanced oral appliance therapy and a commitment to treating you like family, I’m here to help you sleep better and live better. That’s the Dr. Vafa difference.”
Dr. Bruce Vafa, TMJ and Sleep Apnea Specialist, Beverly Hills
TMJ dysfunction and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are closely interconnected. Poor jaw positioning from TMJ disorder can cause airway collapse during sleep, leading to sleep apnea. Additionally, sleep-related bruxism (teeth grinding) worsens both conditions. As a TMJ and sleep apnea specialist in Beverly Hills, I evaluate how jaw structure and positioning affect airway patency and breathing during sleep, treating both conditions comprehensively.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder where the airway becomes blocked during sleep, causing breathing pauses and poor oxygen levels. It affects millions of adults and is a leading cause of daytime fatigue and serious health complications.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder where the airway becomes blocked during sleep, causing breathing pauses and poor oxygen levels. It affects millions of adults and is a leading cause of daytime fatigue and serious health complications.
Yes. Jaw positioning, bite misalignment, tongue position, and facial structure all affect airway space. Poor jaw alignment can restrict the airway, worsening obstructive sleep apnea. Dr. Vafa evaluates dental and jaw factors contributing to your sleep disorder.
A mandibular advancement device (MAD) is a custom-fitted oral appliance that gently moves the lower jaw forward during sleep, opening the airway and allowing normal breathing. It’s an effective, comfortable alternative to CPAP machines for many sleep apnea patients.
Sleep apnea is diagnosed through sleep studies including home sleep apnea tests (HSAT) or in-lab polysomnography. These tests measure breathing pauses, oxygen levels, and sleep quality. Dr. Vafa coordinates sleep studies and integrates results into treatment planning.
Untreated sleep apnea increases risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, heart attack, atrial fibrillation, and metabolic disorders. It also causes daytime fatigue, poor concentration, and reduced quality of life.
Both are effective, but many patients prefer oral appliance therapy because it’s more comfortable and portable. Dr. Vafa recommends the best treatment option based on your specific sleep disorder, severity, and personal preferences.
Many patients notice better sleep and reduced daytime fatigue within one to two weeks of starting oral appliance therapy. Continued improvement often occurs over several weeks as your body adjusts to restful sleep.
Yes. Sleep apnea and sleep bruxism (teeth grinding) create muscle tension and jaw clenching that worsen TMJ dysfunction. Treating the underlying sleep disorder often improves jaw pain and TMJ symptoms.
Sleep bruxism is teeth grinding during sleep, often caused by sleep fragmentation or airway obstruction. It creates muscle tension, damages teeth, and worsens TMJ problems. Treatment includes addressing the underlying sleep disorder and using protective night guards.
Yes. Dr. Vafa collaborates with sleep medicine physicians and specialists throughout the Beverly Hills and Los Angeles area to provide comprehensive sleep disorder care. We coordinate sleep studies, imaging, and treatment planning for optimal results.
This FAQ helps patients understand three connected health conditions: temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and orofacial pain. The FAQ explains how these conditions work together and affect each other. When patients have jaw pain, morning headaches, or sleep problems, these symptoms often come from the same underlying cause like poor jaw position or airway issues.
This FAQ describes how I diagnose these conditions using advanced tools like CBCT imaging, sleep studies, bite analysis, and physical examination. It also explains different treatment options available to patients. These treatments range from simple solutions like custom night guards and special jaw devices to more complex options like surgery.