Serenity Valley Family Dentistry
Sleep Apnea Treatment in Fargo, ND
You’ve tried sleeping on your side, worn the strips, maybe even powered through years of exhaustion, and the snoring hasn’t stopped. The mornings haven’t gotten easier, and somewhere in the back of your mind, you know something more is going on. Sleep apnea is one of the most underdiagnosed conditions in the country, and for millions of people across the region, the biggest barrier to treatment isn’t access; it’s not knowing there’s a comfortable solution available right here in Fargo.
At Serenity Valley Family Dentistry, we’ve built a sleep dentistry practice in Fargo specifically for patients who want answers, not just equipment. Dr. Shandra Rosenfeldt has dedicated the majority of her clinical week to exactly this kind of care, working closely with sleep physicians and the VA to ensure every patient gets a diagnosis and treatment plan that actually fits their life.
What Is a Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD) and How Does It Work?
For many patients with obstructive sleep apnea, the first, and often best, treatment option isn’t a CPAP machine. It’s a Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD), a custom-fitted oral appliance that repositions the lower jaw slightly forward during sleep. That small shift keeps the airway open by preventing the soft tissue at the back of the throat from collapsing inward, which is the core mechanism behind most cases of obstructive sleep apnea. The result is quieter, more restful sleep without the noise, pressure, or mask of a traditional CPAP setup.
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute recognizes mandibular repositioning mouthpieces as a clinically supported treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, particularly for patients who cannot tolerate or prefer not to use a PAP device. At Serenity Valley Family Dentistry, every MAD is custom-fabricated to your bite and jaw anatomy, not a generic over-the-counter product, which is what makes the difference between something you’ll actually wear and something that ends up in a drawer.
What Makes a MAD Different From CPAP?
CPAP therapy works by delivering continuous pressurized air through a mask worn over the nose and mouth. It’s effective, but compliance is a well-documented challenge. Many patients find the machine noisy, the mask uncomfortable, and the whole system difficult to travel with. A mandibular advancement device, by contrast, is about the size of a sports mouthguard. It requires no electricity, no humidifier, and no tubing. For mild to moderate sleep apnea, studies consistently show that it performs comparably to CPAP in terms of patient satisfaction and sleep quality.
For patients who travel frequently, work irregular hours, or simply can’t tolerate the pressure of a CPAP machine, a custom oral appliance is often the one that gets used, and ultimately the one that works.
Are You a Candidate for a MAD?
Not every sleep disorder is sleep apnea, and not every case of sleep apnea is the same. That’s why at Serenity Valley Family Dentistry, Dr. Rosenfeldt recommends that patients begin with a formal evaluation from a sleep physician before moving forward with appliance fabrication. There are over 80 recognized sleep disorders, and treating the wrong one, or treating it without a confirmed diagnosis, wastes time and money and may not address the underlying issue. We have established referral relationships with trusted sleep medicine physicians in the region, as well as a long-standing partnership with the VA for veterans seeking sleep apnea care, so we actively help patients navigate that first step.
Who Benefits Most From This Approach?
MAD therapy is generally well-suited for adults with:
- Mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea confirmed by a sleep study
- A history of CPAP intolerance or non-compliance
- A preference for a portable, non-mechanical treatment option
- Active-duty military or veteran status with sleep apnea documented through the VA
- A willingness to travel regionally for specialized, personalized care
Patients with severe sleep apnea may also be candidates, sometimes in combination with other therapies, and Dr. Rosenfeldt will review your sleep study results and jaw structure to make that determination. Chronic snoring without a diagnosis is also worth evaluating, as it’s often the first visible sign of a more significant airway issue.
The Connection Between Your Jaw and Your Airway
One thing that often surprises patients is how closely jaw structure and airway health are connected. The position of the lower jaw, the tone of the throat muscles, and even tension held in the neck and shoulders can all influence how well the airway stays open during sleep. This is part of why Serenity Valley Family Dentistry takes a whole-body approach to sleep and airway care, and it’s also why the connection between snoring and oral health matters more than most people realize.
Many of our sleep apnea patients also have signs of jaw strain or tooth wear related to clenching and bruxism, conditions that often travel together and benefit from coordinated care. For patients experiencing jaw pain alongside sleep concerns, TMJ treatment may be part of the broader conversation.
Why Patients Travel to Serenity Valley for Sleep Dentistry
Sleep dentistry is a specialty. Not every dental office has the training, technology, or referral network to manage it effectively. Dr. Rosenfeldt holds the Diplomate Dentist status with the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) and has built her practice around this specific area of care, dedicating three out of every four clinical days to sleep, TMJ, and airway patients. We regularly see patients from Moorhead, West Fargo, Casselton, Grand Forks, and communities across the region who drive an hour or more because the level of specialization here simply isn’t available closer to home.
For patients concerned about cost or insurance, we want to be clear: we accept and submit insurance claims, and we offer financing through iCare Financial and in-house membership plans. We don’t believe cost should be a barrier to care that can genuinely change how you feel every day.
There’s a Better Way to Sleep at Serenity Valley Family Dentistry
Founded in 2006, Serenity Valley Family Dentistry has grown into one of the region’s most trusted resources for dental sleep medicine. Our team brings together the clinical depth of Dr. Rosenfeldt’s AADSM credentials, collaborative relationships with sleep physicians and the VA, and a genuine commitment to getting patients the right answer, not just the easiest one. We take time with every patient, identify barriers to treatment, and build long-term plans.
If you’ve been told you snore, if you wake up exhausted no matter how long you sleep, or if a sleep physician has already diagnosed you and you’re looking for a CPAP alternative, we’re ready to help. Schedule a consultation with our office and take the first step toward sleep that actually restores you.
Whatever you need
We Can Help with Your Sleep Disorder
Did you know that Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) afflicts at least 25 million adults in the US—as many as 1 out of 5 adults. OSA is the end stage of a disease process called Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) which afflicts at least 80 million Americans, adults and children. Dentistry has a unique role to identify early signs of SDB and work with your sleep provider to stabilize and change the course of this disease.
