Patient Portal - Sleep Apnea Dentists of New England

70 Wells Avenue, Suite 103, Newton MA 02459
617.964.4028 | Fax: 617.595.4591
[email protected]

ORAL DEVICE THERAPY

Ready to enjoy a good night's rest?

SOME OF OUR DEVICES

A Welcome Letter to Our Clients

Hello, and welcome to Sleep Apnea Dentists of New England. We are pleased you have chosen our practice to address your sleep apnea condition and we look forward to meeting you on. By now, you will have received a separate e-mail from Intake-Q with a secure link to complete your Pre-Visit Paperwork. Please be sure to review our X-RAY and cancellation policies.

Did You Know?

The Greek word “apnea” means “without breath.” Sleep apnea affects as many as 20 million Americans according to the National Institute of Health.

Important FAQs and Sleep Apnea Facts:
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder characterized by recurring collapse of the upper airway during sleep, resulting in interrupted sleep and reduced oxygen intake during sleep.

Daytime symptoms such as sleepiness, cognitive impairment, and effects on quality of life require appropriate treatment. The association of OSA with increased risk of motor vehicle accidents, cardiovascular morbidity, and increased mortality rate emphasizes the need for effective long-term treatment options.

Q. What is An Oral Appliance?

Answer: A device which fits completely or partially within the mouth and holds the jaw and tongue in a position to allow for easier breathing when you sleep.

Who benefits from oral appliance therapy?
Sleep apnea can strike anyone at any age, even children. Because of the lack of awareness by the public and healthcare professionals, the vast majority of sufferers remain undiagnosed and untreated. OSA is a serious disorder which can have significant consequences. Oral appliance therapy can be used by individuals 18 years of age or older.

Are there any guidelines?
In order to be treated with an oral appliance, you must have at least eight (8) healthy teeth on each of the lower and upper arches, with adequate bone support.

Oral Appliance Care & Use

Just as you would care for a retainer or Invisalign, it is important to maintain the integrity of your oral device for maximum resolution of your sleep apnea.

Using An Oral Appliance:
Worn only during sleep, an oral appliance fits like a sports mouth guard or an orthodontic retainer. It supports the jaw in a forward position to help maintain an open upper airway.

Caring for An Oral Appliance:
We recommend DentaSoak once/week for cleaning your oral appliance. Daily cleaning can be done like you would your teeth, with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Only use cool water and avoid toothpaste with baking soda or whitening peroxide.

SOME more kind words from clients

I had pretty much given up on ever finding a happy ending to my Sleep Apnea problems, so thank you and your staff for positively impacting my quality of life. I hadn’t had a good night’s sleep in about ten years and now I sleep like a baby.

Paula B
After 5 years of successful CPAP therapy, I developed “aerophagia”, a condition of swallowing air as I sleep. My sleep doctor recommended Dr. Cohn for combination therapy of using an oral appliance and CPAP together. Dr. Cohn was very explicit in her explanation of this type of therapy. She fit me for the device and really helped me through the learning curve. My jaw muscles became sore, and Dr. Cohn even walked me through tricks to deal with the discomfort. The discomfort is now completely gone and I am using the device nightly. It was wonderful dealing with such a responsive office staff who really tends to their patient’s needs. I am HAPPY to report that I am enjoying a sound night’s sleep on a regular basis.

Ellen D
I have had central and obstructive sleep apnea for as long as I can remember. I am on my fourth oral appliance. I went for my one month follow up this morning. I must say that Dr. Cohen and her team have been extremely meticulous and my appliance is very comfortable and seems to be helping tremendously. They take precise measurements and make the necessary adjustments instead of just filling your mouth with plaster and telling you to bite down. The Dr. has been a miracle worker thus far!

Mitch Myers

APPOINTMENTS REQUIRED

1. Consultation

This visit will include a review of your medical history and a discussion about your sleep apnea and symptoms. We will review the basics of sleep apnea to help you get a further understanding of the disease and review with you your recent diagnostic sleep test. We will then discuss various sleep apnea treatments and how oral appliance therapy works. An exam will then be performed to determine if you are a good candidate for oral appliance therapy. If appropriate, we will start the process of making you an oral appliance that day. We take a simple computer scan of your teeth – no more need for goopy impression material!

2. Fitting

Placement of the appliance will require approximately 45 minutes. Each appliance is custom made.

Any necessary micro adjustments to ensure a proper fit will be made at this time. We will explain how to use the appliance and review daily care instructions.

Most importantly, we will work with you to make sure you are comfortable.

3. Follow Up Visits

Follow up appointments are pre-scheduled for once a month for the next 3 months. These are included in the original billing for the oral device. During this period we will help you move the appliance into an effective position based on a resolution of your symptoms. After 3 months we will advise your physician to order a follow up sleep test, while wearing the appliance, to test the effectiveness. You will then return every 6 months for the next year. Then once/year thereafter. We will continue to work with your physician to obtain optimal results.