Question of The Week – What are the Most Common Side Effects of Oral Appliance Therapy?

Some side effects tied to an oral appliance are: increased drooling, minor jaw pain and tooth discomfort, dryness, sensation of awareness and minor tooth movement or discomfort. Plan at least 2 weeks following your visit to begin Oral Appliance Therapy.

Visit Dental Sleep & TMD Center of Illinois. Let us help you with any side effects you may be experiencing with your Oral Appliance Therapy. Call us at (630) 369-5508. For more information on how you can stop snoring and start sleeping better, visit http://www.tiredofsnoring.com.

I recently attended and spoke at the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) 23rd Annual Meeting in Minneapolis. I’ve been attending these annual meetings for many years. Here are a few interesting bullet points from this year’s meeting:

•  The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea in firefighters, police officers and truck drivers is believed to be about 25-33% with about 85% of these undiagnosed! This number doesn’t compare to the 2-4% suspected OSA documented from quite outdated info. Unfortunately, if all the suspected truck drivers were being evaluated and taken off the roads until successful apnea treatment was given, our economy would suffer. This has delayed federal guidelines. For more information, check out this link:

http://www.thetrucker.com/News/Stories/2013/10/16/Obamaquietlysignsbillrequiringsleepdisorderrulenotguidance.aspx

• Living with apnea is similar to other chronic conditions and deserves constant attention. Healthy life changes in eating and exercise can only help long term outcomes.

• Sleep issues  are a top contributor to the onset of depression.

• We are getting closer to having the availability of compliance-monitoring chips that can be embedded into oral appliances. Once passed through the lengthy government approval systems, these may dramatically impact many OSA sufferers especially in patients such as truck drivers, etc. Some of this technology has been available already in Europe since 2011.

• I’m excited about a new oral device on the market and will try to get more info once available. The MicrO2 removable and changeable trays made at different distances eliminating the need for screwdrivers and other somewhat challenging adjustment hardware is exciting – so clear and light and barely noticeable!

• Teeth grinding or bruxism continues to show a link with OSA although many more studies are needed to confirm current views.

• It has been reported that even with the lowest definitions of compliance, CPAP compliance is approximately 50%.

• A new type of surgery for apnea patients is on the horizon. It is an implantable hypoglossal nerve stimulator. It will be reserved at this point for select cases of apnea sufferers who have failed oral appliance therapy and CPAP therapy. More information on this coming in the future.
• For kids at high risk for obstructive sleep apnea, Type ”A” and Type “B” kids tend to show different patterns of symptoms. Type “A” tend to have attention issues, no sleepiness/the latter – more daytime sleepiness. Even the slightest apnea scores are significant for kids and treatment should be considered. Neurocognitive impairment delay can occur. If left untreated, the following can result: behavioral disturbances, learning deficits and metabolic changes. Most importantly these changes may not be completely reversible. Bottom-line: the sooner kids with suspected apnea are treated, the better.

Dental Sleep and TMD Center of Illinois, a premiere snoring and apnea treatment center in Naperville, has been providing the CPAP alternative treatment of oral appliance therapy for over 15 years successfully. We are extremely passionate about helping individuals that have been struggling with CPAP therapy in Naperville, Lisle, Aurora, Bolingbrook and surrounding Chicago suburbs. For more information on this physician-recommended treatment option, visit www.TiredOfSnoring.com or call us at (630) 369-5508.

Question of The Week – Are There Any Alternatives to Machines for Sleep Apnea?

Yes, there is!  Oral Appliance Therapy is a great alternative to CPAP machines. View a sample of oral appliances that have been approved by the FDA.  http://www.tiredofsnoring.com/cpap-alternative/samples-of-fda-approved-oral-appliances/

Give us a call at (630) 369-5508.  Let’s discuss whether or not Oral Appliance Therapy is an option for you. You WILL thank us!

Question of the Week – Is a Sleep Study Necessary Before Seeing a Sleep Dentist?

You should contact Dental Sleep and TMD Center of Illinois as soon as possible. They will provide you with steps needed to expedite the whole process. If someone is being prevented from coming because they have not had a sleep study (test), she suggests to let them come in anyway.

A Sleep Dentist can help with snoring and sleep apnea. Call (630) 369-5508 with any questions or concerns you might have about a sleep study and how to expedite the process in order to receive help.

Dental Sleep and TMD Center of Illinois is a premiere snoring and sleep apnea treatment center in Naperville. We have been providing the CPAP alternative treatment of Oral Appliance Therapy successfully for over 15 years. We are extremely passionate in helping individuals that have been struggling with CPAP therapy in Naperville, Lisle, Aurora, Bolingbrook and surrounding Chicago suburbs.

Beauty sleep is important to your health Great sleep affects beauty

Sleep affects beauty. For quite some time, science has measured that “deep, tired look” of patients who suffer with sleep disturbances.

Studies show that patients who resolve their sleep issues often enjoy scientifically-measured improvements in their facial skin. Less redness and forehead puffiness are just two of the noticeable and measurable improvements that can result with improved sleep.

In addition, observers who viewed photos of sleep apnea patients after successful treatment often cited these patients as being more attractive, youthful and alert.

Many studies reveal that only about 50% of patients are using their prescribed CPAP treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. Luckily, many of these CPAP patients who we now treat with Oral Appliance Therapy are enjoying overall improvements in their sleep. After successful treatment, many times we see improvements which may include:

• less dreary eyes
• less puffiness around the eyes
• less redness around the nose
• less visible strap lines (from attempted CPAP use)
• much less ’grumpiness’ factor

If you are not getting good quality and quantity of sleep, it’s important to review possible reasons. Many sleep disorders have profound implications on heart disease, diabetes, weight gain and more. A lack of sleep affects “beauty” inside and out.

For more information on the importance of beauty sleep, visit this USA Today Article. http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/05/05/health-women-beauty-sleep/8731111/. Then give us a call at (630) 369-5508 today. We can help you get the great sleep your body needs.

Dental Sleep and TMD Center of Illinois, a premiere snoring and apnea treatment center in Naperville, has been providing the CPAP alternative treatment of oral appliance therapy for over 15 years successfully. We are extremely passionate in helping individuals that have been struggling with CPAP therapy in Naperville, Lisle, Aurora, Bolingbrook and surrounding Chicago suburbs. For more information on this physician recommended treatment option visit www.TiredOfSnoring.com or call us at (630)369-5508.