Say "Ahhh" to Get More Zzzz’s: Patients say "Good Night" to Sleep Issues with Oral Appliance Therapy
COLLINGSWOOD, N.J. (PRWEB) July 19, 2018 -- Healthy teeth, healthy gums and now…healthy sleep? For those who have never consulted a dentist about treatments for sleep apnea and snoring, it may be time to make an appointment. Dental sleep medicine is a growing segment of dentistry that focuses on managing snoring and sleep apnea with oral appliance therapy (OAT) – an effective alternative to the standard continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine and mask. According to the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM), up to 50 percent of sleep apnea patients do not comply with or tolerate CPAP.
The National Healthy Sleep Awareness Project "Stop the Snore" urges people to be aware of snoring which is a warning sign for obstructive sleep apnea. Afflicting at least 25 million adults in the US, sleep apnea is a chronic disease that is destructive to your health.
“CPAP has maximum benefit for patients only when they are willing and able to use it continuously, and unfortunately some Collingswood-area residents are unable to do so,” said Dr. Arthur Thurm, a Collingswood dentist and member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. “Dental sleep medicine focuses on managing sleep-disordered breathing like snoring and obstructive sleep apnea using oral appliance therapy – a very effective treatment option.”
Oral appliance therapy (OAT) uses a mouth guard-like device worn only during sleep to maintain an open, unobstructed airway. OAT devices prevent the airway from collapsing by supporting the jaw in a forward position. For many, oral appliance devices are more comfortable to wear than a CPAP mask. The devices are also quiet, portable and easy to care for. Research suggests that oral appliance therapy offers a higher patient compliance rate than CPAP. There are more than 80 different styles of oral appliance devices that have received FDA clearance.
"Dentists trained in dental sleep medicine work in conjunction with a sleep physician and recommend a specific oral appliance device based on a patient’s personal needs," said Dr. Thurm. “The important thing for patients to remember is that effective oral devices are always custom fit by a dentist and may need adjustments over time to ensure maximum effectiveness."
AADSM recommends oral appliance therapy for people with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. Once a patient is diagnosed with primary snoring or obstructive sleep apnea by a board-certified sleep physician, a dentist trained in dental sleep medicine can provide treatment with OAT.
More About Obstructive Sleep Apnea: According to the AADSM, 12-18 million adults in the US have obstructive sleep apnea, which causes them to stop breathing up to hundreds of times a night for anywhere from a few seconds to more than a minute. If left untreated, sleep apnea is a potentially life threatening condition that can increase the risk for serious health problems from congestive heart failure, stroke, high blood pressure and heart disease to diabetes, obesity, depression and impotence.
More About OAT: Oral appliance therapy also is recommended for severe sleep apnea patients if they are unable to tolerate CPAP. The side effects of oral appliance therapy are generally minor, including excessive salivation, muscle and tooth discomfort and, occasionally, joint discomfort, and most improve within a few weeks. Major adverse effects of OAT are uncommon but can include slight tooth movement, permanent changes in a patient’s bite, ongoing muscle soreness or loosening of dental restorations. Oral appliance therapy is often covered by medical insurance.
About Dr. Arthur Thurm: Dr. Thurm is a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. Dr. Thurm is a general dentist as well as a dental anesthesiologist with a special interest in Dental Sleep Therapy. Thurm Dental is located at 925 Haddon Avenue, in Collingswood. Patients with loud snoring and diagnosed sleep apnea sufferers with difficulty tolerating CPAP should contact Dr. Thurm at (856) 212-0966 to schedule a consultation appointment. Dr. Thurm works closely with sleep physicians and medical insurance carriers to treat snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.
About The American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine: The American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) is the only non-profit national professional society dedicated exclusively to the practice of dental sleep medicine. The AADSM provides educational resources for dentists and promotes the use of oral appliance therapy for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and sleep-disordered breathing. Established in 1991, the AADSM has nearly 3,000 member dentists worldwide. Visit http://www.aadsm.org or call the national office at (630) 737-9705 for more information.
Dr. Arthur Thurm, Thurm Dental Group, http://www.thurmdental.com, (856) 212-0966, [email protected]
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