We provide referral based consultations for patients diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (“OSA”) and assess them for Oral Appliance therapy. Please use the attached Referral Form and or contact our office by calling Dr Andrew Willoughby at 604.541.1800
Once your patient has a diagnosis of Sleep Apnea, there are two basic types of treatment you can employ to combat their snoring and OSA:
- Use of a Controlled Positive Pressure Airway Appliance (CPAP) which is designed to fit over and around your nose and “force” air through your nasopharynx to support and hold your airway open -increasing upper airway volume and reducing collapsibility. The challenge with CPAP is that patient compliance is less than 40% and the devices can shift while sleeping and are quite cumbersome and noisy.
- Oral Appliance therapy using a SomnoDent® which is an ideal alternative to CPAP therapy for patients who suffer from snoring and mild to moderate OSA. The updated practice parameters of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommend the use of oral devices such as the SomnoDent® MAS for mild-to-moderate OSA (AHI < 25), or for patients with severe OSA who are either unable to tolerate CPAP or refuse treatment with CPAP.
SomnoDent
SomnoDent® is a custom made removeable oral appliance worn during sleep to increase the upper airway volume and reduce collapsibility. SomnoDent devices each utilize a unique patented fin coupling component, to maximize patient comfort and compliance.
Health Benefits
SomnoDent® treatment has also been shown to have a clinically significant impact in reducing patients’ blood pressure and has been predicted to reduce the risk of stroke. In addition, this blood pressure reduction was apparent in the early morning, which is the time of peak risk for acute myocardial infarction.
Clinically Proven
14 independent studies and over 12 years’ worth of research demonstrate SomnoDent efficacy and significant clinical benefits. Exceptional levels of compliance 88%, treatment efficacy 91% and acceptance 96% of patients with OSAhave been cited.
Is the SomnoDent the right treatment option for your patient?
If you suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or snore, the SomnoDent® should benefit you. It will almost certainly put an end to your snoring and will most likely eliminate or significantly reduce your OSA. For your bed partner this means peace and quiet again and a better night’s sleep. For you, it will mean better quality sleep. As a result, you will be less likely to suffer from headaches and daytime sleepiness and your ability to concentrate will improve. If you have tried CPAP and found it uncomfortable, wake up to a brilliant alternative treatment for OSA. The difference in comfort and tolerance will astound you.
Severity of OSA
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommend the use of oral devices such as the SomnoDent for mild-to-moderate OSA (AHI < 25), or for patients with severe OSA who are either unable to tolerate CPAP or refuse treatment with CPAP.
What makes OSA treatment with a SomnoDent Appliance so highly effective?
Dr Willoughby is a Neuromuscularly trained dentist who utilizes a TENS machine to find the precise forward position of the mandible where the muscles of the jaw are in their most relaxed and de-torqued position. Rather than a subjective assessment of this bite position Dr Willoughy uses real time computer driven data to identify where the impression for the Somnodent appliance should be taken. When you wear a SomnoDent oral appliance that has been adjusted to an Isotonic Neuromuscular trajectory the patient can wake up with less muscle stiffness and can have a better overall tongue position – all of which helps make for a more comfortable appliance.
For further details visit Sleep Well Vancouver or or Sleep Well Prince George or contact us at a dental office location nearest you