Certified Specialist in Oral Medicine · Bellevue, WA
Certified Specialist in Oral Medicine
Dr. Jeffrey W. Doneskey, DMD is a Certified Specialist in Oral Medicine and the founder of The Sleep Apnea, TMJ and Orofacial Pain Center — a Bellevue practice limited to TMJ disorders, orofacial pain, and sleep-related breathing disorders. Much of what he treats is referred for exactly these problems: jaw pain and clenching, headache and migraine, and ear symptoms that closely mimic other conditions.
His training is focused and deep. Dr. Doneskey earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine from the University of British Columbia in 1987, then completed two years of advanced training at the University of Washington in TMJ disorders and oral medicine, with a concurrent two-year fellowship in oral oncology at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. He has practiced as a specialist in Bellevue since 2001.
He treats headaches, clenching, ear pain, fullness and ringing, and facial pain often mistaken for sinus problems or migraine — much of it after other treatment has not helped. He also developed the SilentPartner™, an FDA-cleared appliance for snoring, sleep apnea, and complicated TMJ popping and locking, and continues to contribute to clinical research through affiliations with Overlake and Evergreen Hospital Medical Centers.
Dr. Doneskey's practice is built around the problems patients are most often referred for — clenching and the appliances meant to control it, headaches with a jaw component, and ear symptoms that come back clear from an ENT. Each is evaluated individually rather than treated with a one-size appliance.
A conventional night guard covers the teeth and allows the back teeth to meet, which is where the heaviest clenching forces are generated. In many patients this increases clenching rather than reducing it. There are several different therapeutic splints, and the right one depends on what is driving the problem. A popping jaw has to be accounted for in the design, because a splint that helps with clenching can make the popping worse. Design is assessed individually and adjusted over time.
Many patients arrive here after a night guard failed to help — whether bought over the counter or made in a dental office. The problem is usually not that appliance therapy does not work, but that the appliance was the wrong design for that patient. Evaluation includes what is driving the clenching, which often involves sleep and airway assessment.
Headache is frequently mixed. A migraine can be driven or triggered by tension-type headache arising from clenching and TMJ overload. In these patients, managing the clenching component often improves the migraine itself. Evaluation determines whether a jaw component is present and how much of the headache burden it accounts for.
The jaw joint sits directly against the ear canal. Clenching-related joint overloading can produce ear pain, fullness, pressure and ringing that closely mimics ear infection. These patients are typically assessed here after an ENT workup has come back clear.
From Seattle Magazine recognition to a rare specialty certification and an FDA-cleared invention, Dr. Doneskey's distinctions reflect decades of expertise.
Recognized by Seattle Magazine as a Top Dentist — a peer-nominated distinction honoring the region's leading dental providers.
One of relatively few dentists nationwide certified in Oral Medicine — diagnosing and managing complex oral, jaw, and facial conditions.
Developed a revolutionary FDA-cleared oral sleep appliance for obstructive sleep apnea — a comfortable alternative to CPAP therapy.
Completed a two-year fellowship in Oral Oncology at the world-renowned Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.
Serves patients through affiliations with two leading Pacific Northwest hospital medical centers.
More than 30 years earning the trust and respect of patients and peers throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Dr. Doneskey didn't just treat sleep apnea — he invented a better way to do it.
Many patients avoid sleep apnea treatment out of fear of the CPAP machine. Drawing on his understanding of the relationship between sleep problems and TMJ disorders, Dr. Doneskey developed the SilentPartner™ — an FDA-cleared, TMJ-friendly oral appliance that effectively manages obstructive sleep apnea.
It offers a simple, comfortable nighttime solution for patients who are unable or unwilling to use CPAP therapy — or who want to avoid more invasive, non-reversible options.
Earned his dental degree, then opened a private practice focused on restorative dentistry and TMJ disorders.
Completed two years of advanced training in TMJ disorders and oral medicine, becoming a Certified Specialist in Oral Medicine.
Undertook a concurrent two-year fellowship in oral oncology, gaining extensive experience with medically complex patients.
Has practiced as a specialist in Bellevue since 2001, with a practice limited to TMJ disorders, orofacial pain, and sleep-related breathing disorders.
Continues to contribute to clinical research and serve patients through hospital affiliations.
Developed and brought to market an FDA-cleared oral appliance for obstructive sleep apnea.
As a certified Oral Medicine specialist, Dr. Doneskey diagnoses and manages a range of complex conditions.
Dr. Doneskey is an active member of the nation's leading oral medicine, orofacial pain, and dental sleep medicine organizations.
Much of the practice is referred care — patients sent after an ENT workup comes back clear, or after a night guard failed to help. These are the problems Dr. Doneskey evaluates and manages.
Diagnosis and management of temporomandibular joint disorders, jaw pain, and popping or locking of the jaw.
Relief for facial pain — including pain often mistaken for sinus problems or migraine — rooted in the jaw and face.
Evaluation of headache with a jaw component, where managing clenching and TMJ overload often improves the migraine itself.
For patients whose night guard failed — usually because the appliance was the wrong design, not because appliance therapy doesn't work.
Clenching-related joint overloading that mimics ear infection — typically assessed after an ENT workup comes back clear.
Oral appliance therapy for snoring and sleep-related breathing disorders, including complicated cases involving the jaw.
Learn about sleep apnea, TMJ, and the SilentPartner™ — straight from the practice.
Dr. Doneskey writes clinical letters to a referral network of 2,200–2,500 physicians and dentists, and contributes to clinical research in oral medicine and orofacial pain.
Writes regular clinical letters — addressed "Dear Colleagues" — for a network of 2,200 to 2,500 physicians and dentists, on TMJ disorders, orofacial pain, and related topics.
Authored a clinical update for referring providers on TMJ disorder management and oral medicine.
Brought an FDA-cleared oral sleep appliance to market — advancing comfortable, CPAP-free options for sleep apnea patients.
Continues to contribute to clinical research and shares expertise with referring doctors across the Pacific Northwest.
Dr. Doneskey is listed, rated, and reviewed across the web's leading medical and dental directories.
📍 1414 116th Ave NE, Suite A, Bellevue, WA 98004
🌲 Serving Bellevue, Seattle, Redmond, Sammamish & Kirkland
When jaw pain, facial discomfort, or disrupted sleep interfere with daily life, Dr. Doneskey brings three decades of specialized expertise to help you find lasting relief — in a setting designed to make you feel heard and understood.
