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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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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Sleep Disorders and Depression

Normal sleep is a restorative state. However, when sleep is disrupted or inadequate, it can lead to increased fatigue, anxiety, and irritability. Stop The Cycle! – Talk today to your medical professional about your sleep! Many people have experienced a restless night’s sleep. An occasional night of tossing and turning for a few hours is an experience we can all relate to. Unfortunately for some people a good night’s sleep is more the expectation than the rule, and a restless night’s sleep becomes so common that it becomes the expected outcome. Those individuals who experience an occasional restless night often point …

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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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Does skipping CPAP for one night really matter?

A recent study found that sleep apnea, even for one night, can affect blood pressure.  “After just six hours of fluctuating oxygen levels, similar to what happens with sleep apnea, the body’s ability to regulate blood pressure is impaired.”   There is an immediate impact on the body’s ability to maintain a normal blood pressure from sleep apnea the night before. A patient is considered “compliant” if he or she wears a CPAP for 70% of nights; however, every untreated night affects the next day’s health.  Maybe a treatment with a higher compliance rate should be considered.  Mandibular advancement devices (oral …

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