... I hear ya ... makes my skin itch something FIERCE when folks start talking about work ... 
... I hear ya ... makes my skin itch something FIERCE when folks start talking about work ... 
Has anyone had any luck with the dental appliance? I already use a CPAP but would be curious as to what the success rate and costs would be.
Well, I am biased because that is what I do.
So, take what I say with that in mind.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) established new Practice Parameters recently that state that oral appliances are indicated for use in patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, as well as those who “prefer them to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, or who do not respond to, are not appropriate candidates for, or who fail treatment attempts with CPAP.”
The literature shows that for Mild and Moderate Sleep Apnea, the Oral Appliance is equally effective as the CPAP.
For severe Sleep Apnea, the CPAP treatments are still the most effective.
However, if someone is severe and not going to wear their CPAP, doing the Oral Appliance is the next line of treatment.
I have treated all ranges of the spectrum from Mild to really severe with very good success.
However, not just any dentist can treat this condition.
Or, I should say, not every dentist that treats this condition understands what they are doing.
There are many different varieties and styles of appliance and several different theories of treatment.
The biggest problem that I see in the field is that there are alot of "weekend continuing education" events that some guys take and then think that is all they need to understand and treat this.
That is NOT the case.
I've been actively doing this for about 2.5 years.
I've been wearing the oral appliance for about the same amount of time.
Makes a big difference for me.
During the time I've been actively treating sleep apnea with the oral appliance I have done A LOT of learning.
There is SO MUCH to learn and understand.
So, I stress, if you talk to a dentist about the oral appliance, make sure that he/she really knows what they are doing.
DO NOT, and I say again, DO NOT let the ENT make the oral appliance.
No offense if there are any ENTs reading this, but the appliances that they are using have been shown over and over to NOT work.
Now to cost.
I hate to say it, but that depends on A LOT of factors.
What kind of medical insurance you have.
Are you on Medicare?
How much of your deductible has been met.
What kind of appliance is going to be used.
The math that I've run on some of the treatment cases puts the out of pocket costs about the same over the three year life span of either the CPAP or the Oral Appliance.
Some of the advantages that the Oral Appliance has over the CPAP:
Easier to travel with.
No power requirements.
You can use it ON the plane or in the Hunting Camp!!! (no need to scare away all the deer. Don't be THAT guy!!!)
Small, compact, easily portable.
Comfortable
No hoses to wrap around your neck
No kids calling you "Bain" from Batman.
Dave
So, take what I say with that in mind.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) established new Practice Parameters recently that state that oral appliances are indicated for use in patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, as well as those who “prefer them to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, or who do not respond to, are not appropriate candidates for, or who fail treatment attempts with CPAP.”
The literature shows that for Mild and Moderate Sleep Apnea, the Oral Appliance is equally effective as the CPAP.
For severe Sleep Apnea, the CPAP treatments are still the most effective.
However, if someone is severe and not going to wear their CPAP, doing the Oral Appliance is the next line of treatment.
I have treated all ranges of the spectrum from Mild to really severe with very good success.
However, not just any dentist can treat this condition.
Or, I should say, not every dentist that treats this condition understands what they are doing.
There are many different varieties and styles of appliance and several different theories of treatment.
The biggest problem that I see in the field is that there are alot of "weekend continuing education" events that some guys take and then think that is all they need to understand and treat this.
That is NOT the case.
I've been actively doing this for about 2.5 years.
I've been wearing the oral appliance for about the same amount of time.
Makes a big difference for me.
During the time I've been actively treating sleep apnea with the oral appliance I have done A LOT of learning.
There is SO MUCH to learn and understand.
So, I stress, if you talk to a dentist about the oral appliance, make sure that he/she really knows what they are doing.
DO NOT, and I say again, DO NOT let the ENT make the oral appliance.
No offense if there are any ENTs reading this, but the appliances that they are using have been shown over and over to NOT work.
Now to cost.
I hate to say it, but that depends on A LOT of factors.
What kind of medical insurance you have.
Are you on Medicare?
How much of your deductible has been met.
What kind of appliance is going to be used.
The math that I've run on some of the treatment cases puts the out of pocket costs about the same over the three year life span of either the CPAP or the Oral Appliance.
Some of the advantages that the Oral Appliance has over the CPAP:
Easier to travel with.
No power requirements.
You can use it ON the plane or in the Hunting Camp!!! (no need to scare away all the deer. Don't be THAT guy!!!)
Small, compact, easily portable.
Comfortable
No hoses to wrap around your neck
No kids calling you "Bain" from Batman.
Dave
Thanks for the comprehensive information. It sounds like I would need to research a experienced dentist in the Tulsa area for some follow-up. I am curious as to which insurance would pick it up, dental or health?
I can help you there also.
Contact Dr. Angie Nauman is in one of my advanced study groups for sleep apnea.
http://www.glistendental.com/
She is VERY good in this area.
As to insurance: Dental doesn't cover squat for sleep apnea. Only medical does.
Angie's office is equipped to deal with the medical side of this.
Sort of funny timing, she is bringing in and presenting a speaker tonight in Tulsa to about 50-60 Sleep physicians on this very topic.
Dave
Contact Dr. Angie Nauman is in one of my advanced study groups for sleep apnea.
http://www.glistendental.com/
She is VERY good in this area.
As to insurance: Dental doesn't cover squat for sleep apnea. Only medical does.
Angie's office is equipped to deal with the medical side of this.
Sort of funny timing, she is bringing in and presenting a speaker tonight in Tulsa to about 50-60 Sleep physicians on this very topic.
Dave
If you stay awake and work when you should be sleeping and if you try to sleep when you actually should not be then your body gets confused. Its internal timing is messed up and you feel crazy. I have done this for two times and had a very bad experience. Mood swings is the common symptom of that.
