"Whether it is implant dentistry, cosmetic veneers, dental appliances, or crown and bridge cases, DPS has consistently provided our dental team and patients with quality service and experience for many years."
- Dr. Jon R. Hart
- Dr. Peter J. Blodgett
- Dr. John E. Wilmes
" DPS plays an integral role in the exceptional care we provide for our patients."
The Centers forDisease Control estimates more than twelve million Americans are suffocating in their sleep due to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Most cases remain undiagnosed and contribute to diabetes, high blood pressure, hypertension, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, and traffic accidents caused by drowsy driving. Dentistry serves a vital role in treating this underdiagnosed epidemic. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends oral appliances as a first line therapy for the treatment for mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea and for patients with severe sleep apnea whose CPAP treatment has failed.
What is OSA?
OSA is a breathing disorder characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep due to a blockage in the airway. The most common causes of airway blockage include throat muscles, tongue, tonsils, or soft palate falling back into the throat. The blockage suffocates the person at rest.
OSA is typically diagnosed using a polysomnogram or “sleep study.” During a sleep study, a sleep physician monitors brain activity and body system functioning while a patient rests overnight at a sleep clinic. The sleep physician evaluates the data collected during the sleep study to diagnose sleep disorders and recommend treatment. A dentist trained in sleep medicine works together with sleep physicians to treat obstructive sleep apnea with oral appliance therapy.
How can an oral appliance treat snoring & breathing?
Snoring and obstructive sleep apnea can be treated with surgery, CPAP or BiPAP machines, or oral appliance therapy. Oral appliance therapy is the least invasive treatment and the first choice of treatment for mild to moderate OSA. It involves the selection, fitting, and use of an appliance to hold the jaw forward and maintain an open airway in the throat during sleep.
The benefits of partnering with DPS to treat your OSA patients
DPS is an industry leader in equipping dentists to successfully practice dental sleep medicine. When you choose to partner with DPS, you can expect:
A variety of FDA-cleared oral appliances crafted to suit your patients' unique needs
Nationally-recognized quality craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail
Continuing education course offerings and periodic newsletters to keep you and your staff current on changes in oral appliance therapy
Patient and community education ideas for promoting the effectiveness of oral appliance therapy
Assistance in understanding how to collaborate with sleep clinics and file for medical insurance benefits
DPS is pleased to offer a variety of FDA-cleared appliances with a variety of features that will treat your patients' unique needs.
The EMA Custom appliance has a series of elastic straps of varying lengths and strengths that hold the patient's jaw forward to open the airway. The EMA's flexibility allows for movement and TMJ comfort.
The O2 Oasys is the only FDA-cleared appliance that works as both a mandibular repositioner and a nasal dilator. It treats both the nasal and pharyngeal conditions that lead to snoring and OSA.
The SomnoDent is a comfortable and incrementally adjustable oral appliance that permits normal mouth opening and closing. It can be customized to suit individual needs. Both the Acryclic and Flex models are available.
For pricing of individual appliances and demonstration sets, call DPS at 800-332-3341.
