Dr. Joseph Passamano, DDS

Dr. Joseph Passamano, DDS

My Dentist Joe

AADSM Accredited Member

Dr. Joseph has sleep apnea himself and uses oral appliance therapy personally — giving him a unique perspective when helping patients.

Dr. Joseph Passamano is an AADSM Accredited Member who understands sleep apnea on a personal level — he has sleep apnea himself and uses oral appliances personally. This firsthand experience drives his commitment to helping patients find comfortable, effective alternatives to CPAP. He leads My Dentist Joe in Irvine, providing sleep apnea consultations, home sleep testing, and custom oral appliance therapy. Dr. Passamano bills through medical insurance, making treatment accessible for patients throughout Orange County.

Quick Info

Locations

Irvine, CA

Languages

English

Insurance

Medical insurance billing

AADSM Accredited Member
Treats His Own Sleep Apnea with OAT
Saturday Hours Available
Orange County's OAT Specialist

An Orange County Dentist Who Lives With Sleep Apnea

Dr. Passamano understands sleep apnea because he has it. He wears an oral appliance every night and knows firsthand what makes the difference between a device that sits in a drawer and one you actually use. That personal experience informs every fitting and adjustment he makes for his patients.

At My Dentist Joe in Irvine, the sleep apnea treatment process starts with a thorough consultation and, if needed, a home sleep test to establish your diagnosis. Dr. Passamano then works with your sleep physician to determine if oral appliance therapy is the right treatment for your severity level.

His practice is one of the few in Orange County that bills oral appliance therapy through medical insurance rather than dental insurance. This is an important distinction — medical insurance typically provides better coverage for sleep apnea treatment, and his team handles the pre-authorization process to verify your benefits before treatment begins.

For patients in the Irvine area, Dr. Passamano also offers Saturday hours for consultations and follow-ups, making treatment accessible for people with demanding weekday schedules.

Have questions about Dr. Joseph's approach? Book a free consultation

What Patients Are Saying

5/5 Stars

He took care of my tooth even though his office was closed and all his staff were gone. He even called the next morning to follow up. The world needs more doctors like Dr. Joe.

R.T., Irvine, CA
Yelp

I am actually a dentist myself. Dr. Passamano was able to conservatively repair the fractured tooth and matched the color excellently. I highly recommend Dr. Joe Passamano.

K.R.
Yelp

After 3 months of tooth pain, 3 different dentists, 6 appointments and a dozen different pricy treatments — Dr. Joe concluded I had a very bad infection. How none of the other dentists caught this is beyond me!

L.M.
Yelp

Dr. Passamano gave my grandmother her smile back! She is happier now, can eat better, and my family is so grateful for all his work.

C.M., Long Beach, CA
Google

He answered my call on 4th of July, himself. He calmed me down and told me what I should do. His compassion was 10x better and his work just as perfect if not better. 10/10 would recommend.

P.Y., Irvine, CA
Yelp

I've always dreaded going to the dentist until I met Dr. Passamano! Dr. Joe and his wonderful staff stayed late so they could begin the procedure and relieve some of my pain.

L.M.
Google

Dr. Joe is different from other dentists — he actually cares about my teeth and studies the issues with you before actually suggesting fillings.

J.C., Antioch, CA
Google

I usually don't enjoy the dentist, but Dr. Passamano and his team are exceptional. They create a comfortable environment and provide exceptional care.

E.H.
Google

He is very skilled, really cares about your outcomes, and is a really great guy. It was some of the finest dental work I've ever had done.

D.W., Irvine, CA
Google

If I were able to provide more than 5 stars, I'd happily do so. Dr. Joseph treats my family and has always been painless, considerate, and has always done the right thing for us.

Y.W.
Google

Areas of Expertise

Oral appliance therapy
Sleep apnea consultation
Home sleep testing
CPAP alternatives

Certifications

  • AADSM Accredited Member

Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Joseph

Yes. My Dentist Joe bills oral appliance therapy through your medical insurance, not dental insurance. Medical insurance typically provides better coverage for sleep apnea treatment devices. The office verifies your coverage and handles pre-authorization before treatment begins.
The Irvine office is open Monday 9am-6pm, Tuesday 11am-7pm, Thursday 9am-5pm, Friday 9am-5pm, and Saturday 9am-1pm (call for availability). The office is closed Wednesday and Sunday.
Yes. Dr. Passamano has obstructive sleep apnea and uses an oral appliance every night. His personal experience with the condition makes him a more empathetic and effective provider — he understands the challenges his patients face because he lives with them.
The Irvine office on Sand Canyon Avenue is approximately 10 minutes from Newport Beach, 12 minutes from Costa Mesa, 10 minutes from Tustin, 15 minutes from Lake Forest, and 15 minutes from Mission Viejo. It's conveniently located near the Irvine Spectrum and accessible from the 5, 405, and 133 freeways.
Yes. If you don't already have a current sleep study, Dr. Passamano can arrange a home sleep test. This is a simple device you wear for one or two nights in your own bed — no overnight lab visit required. The results determine your diagnosis and help guide treatment planning.
Dr. Passamano monitors treatment effectiveness with follow-up testing. If oral appliance therapy alone doesn't achieve adequate results, he works with the Solve Sleep Apnea network — which includes ENT specialist Dr. Paul Schalch Lepe — to explore additional options. The goal is finding what works for you, not committing to a single approach.

Learn More About Sleep Apnea Treatment

Treatment Options

Oral Appliance Therapy: The Complete Guide

Everything you need to know about oral appliance therapy for sleep apnea — how it works, who it helps, what to expect, a...

7 min readMay 8, 2025
Read Article
CPAP Alternatives

7 CPAP Side Effects and What to Do About Them

Dry mouth, mask leaks, skin irritation — CPAP side effects are real and they drive millions of patients to quit. Here ar...

6 min readApr 10, 2025
Read Article
Diagnosis & Testing

Home Sleep Test: What to Expect

A home sleep test is the fastest, most convenient way to find out if you have sleep apnea. Here is exactly what happens ...

5 min readJun 19, 2025
Read Article

Areas Served by Dr. Joseph

Near Irvine, CA

TustinLake ForestNewport BeachCosta MesaMission ViejoLaguna HillsLaguna NiguelAliso ViejoRancho Santa MargaritaLaguna BeachFoothill RanchLadera RanchSan Juan CapistranoDana PointSan ClementeHuntington Beach
View Irvine Location Details

Insurance Accepted

Dr. Joseph accepts most major medical insurance plans. We verify your coverage and handle pre-authorization before treatment begins.

Medical insurance billing

Schedule with Dr. Joseph

Start with a free consultation with Thomas D'Acquisto. He'll review your situation and connect you with the right specialist.

Call or text (619) 880-8774 to schedule your free consultation

(619) 880-8774