By Karen Wuertz, DDS, and Peter Vitruk, PhD Lingual Frenectomy and Significance of OMT Frenectomy utilizing scissors or a scalpel is associated with several drawbacks, such as intra-operative hemorrhage (which impedes the visibility of the surgical field and may ultimately lead to scarring); the need for sutures; post-surgical pain and discomfort; and the potential for … [Read more...]
10,600-nm CO2 Laser Frenectomies in Pediatric Patients with Compromised Airway & Swallowing: Case Reports by Martin Kaplan, DMD, and Peter Vitruk, PhD
Successful Treatment of a Patient Diagnosed with Severe OSA with an Oral Appliance in a Pre-Doctoral Student Clinic
Dramatic improvement in OSA severity when oral appliance and positional therapies are combined
Treating obstructive sleep apnea with oral appliance therapy is a rewarding and challenging undertaking. Every doctor/clinician has patients who do not completely respond to oral appliance therapy (OAT.) Once this is known, decisions need to be made to modify treatment for the best possible outcome. In the case study below I will describe how an innovative device was combined … [Read more...]
Allergic to PAP!
Solving this Patient’s Dilemma This is an interesting case where the patient was allergic to the silicone in the soft liner that is the interface of the CPAP mask to the face and also allergic to the neoprene straps of the CPAP mask. This middle aged woman has been trying to use the CPAP for 8 years off and on. She states that she cannot tolerate CPAP due to “allergy to neo … [Read more...]
Nasal Surgery and Oral Appliance Therapy: Collaboration is Key to Success
by Daniel Klauer, DDS, DABCP, DABCDSM When evaluating patients with sleep disorders, it’s ok to be nosy. We have to be detectives, delving into the details of patients’ waking and sleeping hours. One of the most beneficial parts of my diagnostic exam involves evaluating the airway and the “Four Points of Obstruction” comprising the nasal valve, nasopharynx, velopharynx, and o … [Read more...]
Using Overnight Pulse Oximetry to Manage Oral Appliance Therapy during Treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea
by Ronald S. Prehn, ThM, DDS It is estimated that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects at least 25 million Americans.1 OSA occurs when a patient’s airway gets blocked during sleep. The benefits of physicians prescribing overnight pulse oximetry testing to pre-screen for OSA are well known.2,3 In addition, studies supporting the use of overnight pulse oximetry by dental s … [Read more...]
The MicrO2™ Sleep Device
by Jerry Hu, DDS, David Kuhns, PhD, Sung Kim, BS, Len Liptak, MBA, Laura Sheppard, CDT Background Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is gaining tremendous attention as an acute public health concern. A study by the Institute of Medicine reports that 50 to 70 million Americans suffer from disorders of sleep and wakefulness1. The long-term effects of sleep loss and disorders have … [Read more...]
