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 …
Category: Oral Appliance
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 …
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 …
Sleep Impressions Video
Do you know what we do? How we help our patients? Check out our new video…
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 …
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