Tell us what is happening
Request a consultation or call us. Our team will follow up to discuss your questions and arrange the next step. Sending a request does not book an appointment.
CPAP is difficult.
Explore your options.
Talk with our Raleigh care team about your diagnosis, what makes CPAP difficult, and whether a custom oral appliance may be an option for you.
Request a consultation
Your next step.
A conversation.
Ask our Raleigh team about treatment options and next steps.
Prefer to call? 919-307-8960Monday–Thursday, 9 am–3 pm
Friday by appointment
Leave a message or text us — we reply the next business morning.
Loading form…
Having trouble? Open the contact form
This is a consultation request, not a confirmed appointment. Our team will follow up about visit type and scheduling.
Dedicated careFocused on sleep, breathing, and TMJ
Evidence-basedPersonalized around your diagnosis and goals
Insurance helpWe work with major medical plans
Convenient visitsIn-person and virtual consultations
Does this sound familiar?
If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea but struggle to use CPAP consistently, a consultation can help you understand your options. Bring your questions and any sleep study information you already have.
Talk with our care team01
You wake up tired even after a full night in bed.
02
Your CPAP sits unused because the mask, pressure, or hose is hard to tolerate.
03
Snoring or gasping is keeping you—or your partner—awake.
04
Morning headaches, dry mouth, brain fog, or irritability follow you into the day.
Custom fitQuietTravel-ready
How an oral appliance helps
A custom oral appliance fits over your teeth—similar in size to an orthodontic retainer—and gently supports your jaw in a forward position while you sleep. That added support helps keep your airway open.
It has no mask, hose, motor, or electricity. Dr. DeSaix uses digital scans to select and fit the right device, then follows your progress to manage comfort and effectiveness.
See how oral appliance therapy worksYour safety comes first. CPAP remains the gold-standard treatment for sleep apnea. Do not stop prescribed therapy without speaking with your medical provider.
See what changes
while you sleep.
An oral appliance supports the lower jaw forward. This can bring the tongue and connected tissues forward to help keep the airway open.
Explore the principle
With an appliance: supporting the lower jaw forward can help reduce airway collapse during sleep.
respairsleep.com
Adjustment is individual. Moving the jaw farther forward is not always better.
Three steps toward better-rested mornings
What to expect at your first visitMeet with Dr. DeSaix
We review your health history, sleep diagnosis, airway, teeth, and treatment goals. If you still need a diagnosis, we can help coordinate with a sleep physician.
Fit, adjust, and follow through
If an appliance is right for you, we create your custom device and continue care to support comfort and treatment effectiveness.
Meet Ashley S. DeSaix, DDS, MPH, D-ABDSM
Dr. DeSaix founded RespAir Sleep to give people more options for treating sleep and breathing disorders. After years in general dentistry, she completed focused training in sleep and TMJ disorders through a UNC mini-residency and built a practice dedicated to individualized, evidence-based care.
- Diplomate, American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine
- Diplomate, American Sleep and Breathing Academy
- Member, American Academy of Sleep Medicine
- Locally owned independent Raleigh practice
Have medical insurance?
Let’s check your benefits.
We’re in network with many major medical plans. Our team confirms participation, benefits, and expected costs for your specific plan before treatment.
We also work with Medicare, TRICARE and VA benefits. See plan requirements and insurance details.
Network participation depends on your specific plan. Benefits verification is not a guarantee of coverage or payment.
What patients want to know first
Have a different question? Call 919-307-8960 and talk with our care team.
Is this the same as a store-bought mouthguard?
No. Sleep apnea appliances are prescription devices chosen and custom fitted for your anatomy. Ongoing follow-up matters because comfort, fit, side effects, and effectiveness can change over time.
Can an oral appliance treat severe sleep apnea?
Sometimes, including when CPAP cannot be tolerated or as part of combination therapy. The right recommendation depends on your diagnosis, health, anatomy, and medical provider’s guidance.
Do I need a recent sleep study?
A physician-made diagnosis is required before sleep apnea treatment. If you do not have a current diagnosis, RespAir Sleep can help connect you with a qualified sleep physician.
Do you see people outside Raleigh?
Yes. The practice serves patients from Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Durham, and surrounding North Carolina communities. Virtual consultations may be available for some early conversations.