Increasing Popularity of Oral Appliance Therapy 

In the aftermath of a recall by a major CPAP manufacturer, Phillips Respironics, there is national CPAP shortage.   As a result, oral appliance therapy is being considered as a treatment option more than ever before.   The most common therapy for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in the United States is positive airway pressure, either a continuous pressure (CPAP) or one that auto adjusts (autoPAP).   An alternative option is a mandibular advancement devices (oral appliance) which has been gaining popularity over the last 10 years. Traditionally, CPAP has been the first choice of physicians for treatment of patients with OSA because of its effectiveness …

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Coronavirus FAQs: CPAP Recommendations, Cautions, and Alternatives

Our lives have changed in many ways since March when the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic came to the United States.  Now we are bombarded with instructions and recommendations to keep us safe and minimize the health impact to our country.  I trust we are all doing our part with social distancing, washing our hands to reduce transmission, and even using masks in many circumstances.  Many of us need to take additional precautions for ourselves and those around us, including people with sleep apnea using a CPAP. If you are using CPAP and wondering what the guidelines are during the Covid-19 outbreak, …

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Drowsy Driving Prevention Week

The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) has designated the first full week in November (this year Nov 4-11 2018) as National Drowsy Driving Prevention Week. Most people are aware of the dangers of drunk driving and distracted driving. The dangers of drowsy driving are not as well known but are just as real. In fact, sleep-deprived drivers cause more than 6,400 deaths and 50,000 debilitating injuries on American roadways each year. 1 Drowsy driving is when a driver is fatigued due to lack of sleep. Drowsy drivers have diminished awareness, delayed braking and can even fall asleep at the wheel. Studies show …

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Headaches Can Be Sleep Related

June is Headache Awareness Month. Frequently waking up with a headache is a sign of a potential sleep disorder. However, treatment can reduce of even eliminate sleep-related headaches! Did you know: Half of all migraines occur between 4am – 9am 50% of people who wake up with a headache might have Sleep Apnea Talk to Us or your medical professional today about your sleep! According to O’Brien SM. Managing headaches in patients with sleep disorders. Clinical Advisor. 2017 Feb 09. www.clinicaladvivor.com/the-waiting-room/managing-headaches-in-sleep-disorders/article/637016 Rains J. Sleep Disorders and Headaches. American Migraine Foundation. 16 Dec 2016. americanmigrainefoundation.org/understanding-migraine/sleep/

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May is High Blood Pressure Education Month!

Did you know… 83% of drug resistant hypertension patients also have Obstructive Sleep Apnea! Half of Obstructive Sleep Apnea patients also have hypertension! The good news is treatment can help! For example evidence shows when you treat people with sleep apnea, their blood pressure is not only lower at night – it’s also lower during the day. Take time to have your (or your loved ones) sleep tested and treated. Our dentists have treatment solutions & alternatives to CPAP! Talk to your us or your medical professional about your sleep today! According to the National Sleep Foundation https://sleepfoundation.org/ask-the-expert/sleep-apnea-and-heart-disease The American Heart …

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#HeartMonth February

February is heart month. February is when we have our hearts checked and when we commit ourselves to heart-healthy living. According to the CDC, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the US.  On thepositive side, there are many ways to reduce our risk of heart disease, and one of the easiest is to get tested and treated for sleep apnea. Evidence continues to show a close relationship between heart disease, including hypertension, and sleep apnea.  When oxygen levels decrease during sleep, blood pressure spikes. This high blood pressure can then carry into …

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OSA Therapy Choice and Compliance

The two most common therapies for Obstructive Sleep Apnea are continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and mandibular advancement splints (oral appliance). These two therapies have similar benefits to patients but differ in comfort, ease of use and compliance levels. Traditionally, CPAP has been the first choice of physicians for treatment of patients with OSA.  Low CPAP compliance rates and high efficacy results for the oral appliance have physicians reconsidering this choice. Studies show that 30 to 50% of CPAP users are noncompliant. In contrast, oral appliance users report nearly 100% compliance. Noncompliant patients are at risk of stroke, obesity, drowsy …

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A Case For The Patient Treatment Pathway For Oral Device Therapy

Featured in the March 2017 edition of Dental Sleep Medicine Insider Magazine is article A Case For The Patient Treatment Pathway For Oral Device Therapy  By Jagdeep Bijwadia: 40% of CPAP users are non-complant. That means that for close to half of all patients being treated for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, CPAP simply is not a viable solution. The ideal metric for treatment should take into account both the AHI and… read more 

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