Snoring and Sleep Apnea Devices in Toronto
Custom oral appliances, fitted personally by Dr. Michael Strugurescu. No machines, no masks, no surgery.
If snoring is disrupting your sleep and your household’s, a custom dental appliance fitted at Danforth Dental Centre may be exactly what you need. It is small, quiet and made specifically for your mouth. No machines, no masks and no surgery required. We see patients from right across Toronto. Free consultation for new patients. CDCP and all insurance accepted.
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Your snoring treatment is handled personally by Dr. Michael Strugurescu
Snoring and sleep apnea care at our clinic is led by Dr. Michael Strugurescu, who has practised dentistry for over 35 years in Canada and abroad. He fits each oral appliance himself, because the right device depends entirely on the individual patient. Dr. Strugurescu also speaks several languages including Greek, French, Romanian, German and Spanish, so many of his patients can discuss their care in the language they are most comfortable with.
What causes snoring and when does it become sleep apnea?
As we sleep, the muscles in the throat relax and the upper airway narrows. That narrowing speeds up the airflow, which makes the soft tissue in the throat vibrate, and that vibration is the snoring sound you hear. Because snoring is a mechanical problem, it can be treated mechanically, and that is exactly where a dental appliance comes in.
The anatomy of your throat
Some people are simply built with a narrower airway, a larger tongue or a softer palate. This does not mean anything is wrong, but it does make snoring more likely regardless of other factors.
Alcohol, diet and weight
Alcohol relaxes the throat muscles more than usual. Carrying extra weight around the neck puts pressure on the airway. Both are among the most common and most reversible causes of snoring.
Sleeping position
Lying on your back lets the tongue fall toward the back of the throat and partially block the airway. Many people snore only in this position and not at all on their side.
Nasal congestion and allergies
Blocked nasal passages force mouth breathing, which puts more strain on the soft tissue at the back of the throat.
Age
Throat muscles lose tone over time, making it easier for tissue to vibrate. Snoring generally gets worse with age, not better.
Obstructive sleep apnea
When snoring comes with gasping sounds, choking at night, morning headaches or persistent daytime fatigue, it may point to obstructive sleep apnea. This is a medical condition, not just a noise problem, and it benefits from proper treatment.
Signs you might have sleep apnea and not just snoring
Not all snoring is a health concern. Light or occasional snoring on its own usually does no harm. It becomes worth taking seriously when it is loud and frequent, or when it comes with the signs of sleep apnea listed below.
Waking up feeling exhausted despite a full night’s sleep
A partner mentioning that you snore loudly or stop breathing
Waking up choking or gasping during the night
Regular morning headaches
Persistent daytime brain fog or irritability
Dry mouth or sore throat when you wake up
If more than one of those sounds familiar, it is worth coming in for an assessment. We will go through your symptoms and let you know whether an oral appliance is appropriate or whether a sleep study makes more sense first.
Understanding sleep apnea and how severity is measured
Sleep apnea means breathing actually stops for short periods during sleep, not just slows down. In obstructive sleep apnea, the airway closes completely. Each pause lasts at least ten seconds, and doctors measure how often it happens using something called the apnea-hypopnea index, or AHI, which counts the number of pauses per hour of sleep. An index under 5 is considered normal, 5 to 15 is mild, 15 to 30 is moderate, and above 30 is severe. A sleep study is what confirms this, and we can refer you for one if your case calls for it.
Why untreated sleep apnea is worth taking seriously
Ongoing, untreated sleep apnea does more than make you tired. Over time it can affect your health, your mood and your daily safety.
In the short term, people often notice tiredness on waking, low energy, poor concentration, irritability and low mood.
Over the longer term, sleep apnea is associated with higher blood pressure, heart problems, stroke and diabetes, which is why doctors treat it as a medical condition rather than just a sleep nuisance.
It also affects daily life through daytime drowsiness, which raises the risk of accidents at work and on the road, and through the strain that loud snoring can put on a partner’s own sleep.
What is a dental appliance for snoring?
A snoring dental appliance is a small custom-made device worn in the mouth during sleep. It holds the lower jaw gently forward, keeping the airway open and stopping the soft tissue from collapsing and vibrating.
At Danforth Dental Centre we take precise impressions of your teeth and have the appliance made specifically for your mouth. It is small, silent and easy to travel with. Most patients stop noticing it within a week or two.
There is no single device that suits everyone. The type we recommend depends on your mouth, your bite and the nature of your snoring, which is why Dr. Strugurescu assesses and prescribes each appliance individually rather than fitting the same product to every patient.
If you are looking for a night guard for teeth grinding rather than snoring, see our custom mouthguards page.
Dental appliance or CPAP: which is right for you?
CPAP machines work well when used properly. The problem is that many people stop wearing them within a few months because of the discomfort, the noise or the difficulty travelling with them. For mild to moderate sleep apnea and for snoring without apnea, a dental appliance is often just as effective and considerably easier to stick with.
If your case involves severe sleep apnea we will tell you honestly at your consultation whether a dental appliance is appropriate or whether a CPAP remains the safer medical choice.
| Feature | Dental appliance | CPAP |
|---|---|---|
|
Comfort during sleep |
high |
variable |
|
Works for snoring without apne |
yes |
sometimes |
|
Portable and travel-friendly |
very easy |
bulky |
|
Requires electricity |
no |
yes |
|
Long-term compliance rate |
high |
varies |
|
Best suited for |
mild to moderate apnea and all snoring |
moderate to severe apnea |
- Monday: 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
- Tuesday: 12–8 p.m.
- Wednesday: 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
- Thursday: 12–8 p.m.
- Friday: 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
- Saturday: 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
- Sunday: Closed
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How to get your snoring appliance at our Danforth clinic
The process takes two appointments and usually about two weeks from consultation to having the appliance in hand.
Step 1. Free consultation and assessment
We go over your snoring patterns and sleep history, examine your teeth and jaw, and discuss whether an oral appliance is right for your situation. No charge and no obligation to proceed.
Step 2. Digital impressions of your teeth
We take precise impressions of your upper and lower teeth. These are used to make the appliance specifically for your mouth.
Step 3. Your appliance is made
The impressions go to our dental laboratory. The appliance is ready in about one to two weeks.
Step 4. Fitting and adjustment
We fit the appliance, check the bite, make any adjustments needed and show you how to wear and care for it before you leave.
Step 5. Follow-up
We check in after the first few weeks to confirm it is working well and make any fine adjustments at no extra charge.
Snoring and sleep apnea treatment for patients across Toronto
Why patients in Toronto and Danforth choose us
Snoring care at our clinic is led by Dr. Strugurescu, who has practised dentistry for over 35 years. Here is what makes our approach different from a larger chain or a specialist clinic across town.
Right here on Danforth Ave
745 Danforth Ave, a short walk from Pape Station and easy to reach from anywhere in Toronto.
Dr. Strugurescu
Over 35 years of experience in dentistry, fitting each sleep appliance personally rather than referring you elsewhere.
CDCP and all insurance accepted
We handle billing directly with Sun Life and all other insurers so cost is not the reason you put this off.
Honest assessment before any fitting
If your case is better suited to a CPAP or a sleep study referral, we will tell you that clearly at your consultation rather than fitting an appliance that is not right for you.
We speak your language
Dr. Strugurescu speaks several languages including Greek, French, Romanian, German and Spanish, so many patients can discuss their care in their first language.
Custom fitted, not a pharmacy product
Every appliance is made from precise impressions of your teeth. It is more comfortable, more effective and longer lasting than anything available over the counter.
Questions we hear most often about snoring and sleep apnea devices
These are the questions our team gets asked regularly. If yours is not here, call us at (647) 930-5884 and we will answer it directly.
What is the best anti-snoring device available?
For most people who snore without severe sleep apnea, a custom-fitted dental appliance is one of the most effective and comfortable options. Over-the-counter products can help to a degree but they are not made for your specific bite and most people find them difficult to keep in through the night. A professionally fitted appliance is far more likely to stay in, feel comfortable and deliver lasting results.
How do I know if my snoring is actually sleep apnea?
The clearest signs are waking up gasping or choking, feeling exhausted after a full night’s sleep, morning headaches and a partner noticing that you stop breathing for a few seconds. If any of those sound familiar, come in for a consultation. We will go through your symptoms and discuss whether a sleep study makes sense before we fit any appliance.
Can sleep apnea be cured?
Mild sleep apnea can sometimes be resolved through lifestyle changes such as weight loss or changing sleep position. For most people, it is managed rather than cured. A well-fitted oral appliance manages the condition effectively for many patients with mild to moderate apnea and the results are often significant enough that people feel they have their life back.
Is a dental appliance the same as a night guard for teeth grinding?
No. A night guard for bruxism sits between your teeth to protect them from grinding pressure. A sleep apnea or snoring appliance holds the lower jaw forward to keep the airway open. They look similar but they work differently and are designed for different problems. If you need a night guard for grinding rather than for snoring, see our custom mouthguards page.
Does CPAP actually stop snoring?
Yes, when used properly. The difficulty is that a significant number of people stop wearing their CPAP within the first few months because of discomfort with the mask, the noise or the inconvenience of travelling with it. A dental appliance has a much higher long-term compliance rate because it is small, silent and easy to wear. For mild to moderate sleep apnea the two approaches are clinically comparable in effectiveness.
How do I stop snoring immediately tonight?
Sleeping on your side, elevating your head slightly, avoiding alcohol in the hours before bed and clearing nasal congestion can all reduce snoring that night. These are temporary measures rather than solutions. For consistent results a custom dental appliance is the most reliable option that does not involve surgery.
Are there supplements that help with snoring?
Some supplements are marketed for snoring but none have strong clinical evidence behind them. The most reliable non-surgical dental snoring solution remains the oral appliance, which directly addresses the mechanical cause of airway narrowing rather than trying to treat a symptom indirectly.
Does CDCP cover snoring and sleep apnea dental appliances in Toronto?
Coverage under the Canadian Dental Care Plan depends on the specific procedure and your eligibility level. When you come in for your free consultation we will check your CDCP coverage and tell you exactly what is covered and what the out-of-pocket cost would be before anything is booked. We handle all billing with Sun Life directly.
How long does a dental snoring appliance last?
With proper cleaning and care, most dental sleep appliances last between three and five years. We check the fit at your regular dental visits and let you know when it is showing wear or needs replacing.