Dr. Ann Ardovino practiced general dentistry in private practice in Alabaster for 15 years, providing top-quality care for her patients.
She gradually developed a profound interest in the connection between the anatomy of the airway and bruxism, which is grinding and clenching of teeth. This led her to her training at the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, where she completed the Mastery Program and became a Diplomate.
“I started helping sleep apnea patients a few years ago and it became my passion,” Dr. Ardovino says.
She has now devoted her career to dental sleep-apnea treatment and snoring treatment.
In 2025, she sold her general dentistry practice and moved her sleep practice, Alabama Dental Sleep and Wellness, to Hoover.
“My practice is unique,” she says. “It’s dedicated solely to dental sleep apnea, including sleep-apnea and snoring appliances.”
In obstructive sleep apnea, the airway gets blocked during sleep, causing pauses in breathing. Sleep apnea can contribute to such serious medical problems as high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, cognitive impairment, depression and fatigue. Even worse, sleep apnea often goes undiagnosed.
Do you wake yourself up snoring? Do you grind your teeth or have morning headaches? Do you wake to use the bathroom frequently? Do you wake up feeling tired already? All these can be symptoms of sleep apnea.
“I treat sleep-apnea patients with a custom-fabricated, FDA-approved device that moves the jaw forward,” Dr. Ardovino says. “We also scan digitally, so there’s no impressions, which patients love.”
CPAP is great for some patients, but others can’t tolerate it. “I’m providing an alternative,” Dr. Ardovino says. “We work closely with patients and their physicians throughout the process.” Dr. Ardovino will determine the most effective position for the appliance.
Alabama Dental Sleep and Wellness also treats snoring and bruxism, which can sometimes be a sleep apnea symptom. Snoring can be disruptive to your spouse or bed partner and Alabama Dental Sleep and Wellness can help with that.
“Another unique aspect of my practice is that we file your medical benefits,” she says. Alabama Dental Sleep and Wellness welcomes Medical Insurance, such as Medicare, VA Continuing Care Insurance, and supplemental plans. We also file any private commercial plans as well.
Dr. Ardovino has over 200 hours of sleep dentistry education and completed a TMJ fellowship at the Dawson Institute in St. Petersburg, Florida. She’s a member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine.
