As a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine, Dr. Pooja Goel helps Santa Clara patients breathe better and sleep deeper — with comfortable oral appliances that treat obstructive sleep apnea without a CPAP machine, plus expert care for TMJ and craniofacial pain.
Quick answer: Smiles for Life Dental Group in Santa Clara treats obstructive sleep apnea and snoring with custom oral appliances — a CPAP alternative — led by Dr. Pooja Goel, DDS, a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine. Treatment is billed through medical insurance, and we coordinate sleep testing with a sleep physician if you have not been diagnosed yet.
Why It Matters
More Than Just Snoring
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) happens when the soft tissues at the back of your throat collapse during sleep, repeatedly blocking your airway. Each pause starves your body of oxygen and jolts you out of deep sleep — often hundreds of times a night, without you ever knowing.
Left untreated, sleep apnea is linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, weight gain, depression, and dangerous daytime drowsiness. The good news: it's highly treatable — and for many people, the solution is a small custom device from a qualified dentist, not a bulky machine.
Loud, Chronic SnoringOften the first warning sign
Gasping or ChokingPauses in breathing during sleep
Daytime FatigueTired even after a full night
Morning HeadachesDry mouth & poor concentration
CPAPAlternative
Our Approach
Comfortable, Proven Sleep & Airway Care
Do I Have Sleep Apnea?
We'll review your symptoms and sleep history and coordinate testing to reach a clear diagnosis.
An oral appliance is a custom-made device — similar to a retainer or mouthguard — that you wear only while you sleep. It works by gently repositioning your lower jaw and tongue forward, keeping the airway open so you can breathe freely through the night. It's comfortable, quiet, easy to travel with, and requires no electricity or hoses.
For patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, and for those with severe apnea who cannot tolerate CPAP, oral appliance therapy is recommended by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine as an effective first-line treatment. Dr. Goel's Diplomate training in Dental Sleep Medicine means your appliance is precisely fitted and carefully calibrated for the best possible results.
Sleep Apnea, TMJ & Your Whole Health
Because sleep, breathing, and jaw function are deeply connected, Dr. Goel takes a whole-health approach. If jaw pain, teeth grinding, or TMJ symptoms are part of your picture, they're evaluated and treated together — so you get relief that lasts, not just a quick fix.
How Referrals Work
You can book a consultation directly — no referral needed. Sleep physicians, primary-care doctors and other dentists also refer patients to Dr. Goel for oral appliance therapy, and we keep your referring doctor informed as treatment progresses. If your medical plan needs a referral or prior authorization to cover treatment, our team helps you get it.
Sutter Health and the local IPAs PMG and SCCIPA — call us to verify.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. A dentist trained in dental sleep medicine can treat obstructive sleep apnea with a custom oral appliance, working alongside the sleep physician who makes the diagnosis. Dr. Pooja Goel is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine.
No referral is needed to book a consultation. Some medical plans need a referral or authorization before they pay for treatment, and our team checks that for you.
Oral appliance therapy for diagnosed sleep apnea is billed through medical insurance. We work with UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Sutter Health, Kaiser Permanente, Medicare, TRICARE and the local IPAs PMG and SCCIPA.
Yes. Our office at 310 N Winchester Blvd in Santa Clara is a short drive from most of San Jose, Campbell and Cupertino.
