Lab Processing Times

Non-custom appliances can be used in three ways. First, they are an inexpensive way to test if the patient can tolerate wearing an appliance. When made properly, they can then be used to measure the effectiveness of the treatment technique being implemented. For example, using a SNOR.X will allow you to evaluate whether a patient can tolerate having their tongue held forward prior to fabricating the much more expensive lab made TRD (Tongue Retaining Device).

Lastly, these non-custom appliances are critical tools when your patient either loses or breaks the sleep appliance they have been successfully wearing. When this is the case, these non-custom appliances will allow you to provide them with an immediate temporary…

…

Dental appliances are the #1 non-surgical treatment solution recommended by the Academy of Sleep Medicine when the CPAP cannot be tolerated. They are an effective solution for snoring problems and for patients with mild or moderate Sleep Apnea.

Our experience tells us that the successful clinician – in order to effectively address the range of sleep dysfunction that he is likely to encounter – needs to offer at least 9 appliances in his sleep armamentarium (one test appliance and two in each of four remaining representative categories) in addition to some provision for morning positioning.

Working with your patient’s doctor - or a sleep specialist - to make sure that the patient has been properly evaluated and diagnosed is essential. It is the “how” that is important. Most view this step as a hindrance…it is not.

Working with the medical community protects you legally, increases opportunity for referrals and keeps you within the scope of your practice.

“Can’t tolerate CPAP? I know a dentist that is treating with appliances…you might work with him.”

New technology ensures that the dentist can function as an integral part of the screening process.

IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THE SLEEP PATIENT BE TESTED WITH A HOME SLEEP TESTING DEVICE OR AN OVERNIGHT- ATTENDED PSG.

ALWAYS follow-up…

Numerous appliances are presently available and viable for treating snoring and OSA. They are also appropriate for those patients who cannot tolerate a CPAP or are unwilling (or unable) to endure surgery.

Appliance designs vary according to desired method of retention; type of material used; method and ease of adjustment; level of vertical control provided; differences in mandibular movement; and finally, whether or not the appliance is lab- or office-fabricated. Concerns factored into design selection include:

In order to create interest and generate confidence in a problem/ solution-focused dental sleep practice,…

ONE MILLION AMERICANS SNORE. A study published in Sleep Magazine found that as many as 92% of middle-aged men and 83% of middle-aged women may have undiagnosed moderate-to-severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends oral appliances and CPAP as the #1 treatments for mild and moderate Sleep Apnea. The CPAP industry generates upwards of four billion dollars each year.

Of those patients who try CPAP, 50-75% reject the mask…and are searching for an alternative.

Their search in turn creates a driving demand for appropriate treatment modalities, an availability of at least two billion dollars annually for addressing said need, and an undeniable, unprecedented opportunity for personal…

Looking for ways to increase practice income in the new year? You already know that bringing in new patients takes a lot of time and effort. A popular business dictum is “the best new customer is the customer you already have.”

Instead of focusing on finding new dental customers (especially if you work in a low-population or highly competitive area), consider how you can offer more to your existing customers. One great option? Anti-snoring oral appliances.

According to the Sleep Foundation magazine, roughly 90 million American adults snore. That snoring can make life miserable for a sleep partner. No one wants to receive an elbow in the gut in the middle of the night or get banished…

“For patients with crowns or bridges, bruxism may cause porcelain fracture and failure of the restoration. Implant complications are more likely in people who habitually clench or grind their teeth (Perl, 1994, Nishimura et al., 1997)

The Talon® Splint

“Talon” refers to the soft thermoplastic resilient polymer used for the retentive portion of the splint. It maintains its original flexibility for years, thus eliminating the need for any other form of mechanical retention. Hard acrylic is chemically bonded to the talon material, comprising the splint’s occlusal surface.

Superior Fit and Retention, Speech-Friendly Comfort

Talon’s soft thermoplastic resilient polymer provides the comfortable fit of a soft material while providing the…

The fields of dentistry and orthodontics continually evolve as we seek new and better understandings on how to effectively treat the myriad dental issues we face in our practices. As a dentist or orthodontist, you can’t afford to stop learning, or you’ll be doing your patients a disservice.

Here at Space Maintainers Laboratories, we are proud to introduce our new SML Webinar series. Each webinar features an expert speaker who will dive deep into an important topic. They may address a fascinating case study, discuss a new treatment protocol, or examine challenging diagnosis.

Our series is still relatively new, but we already have several webinars posted from speakers, including:

• Grinding or clenching breaks down enamel and can eventually reduce teeth to stumps.

• Absence of enamel makes it easier for bacteria to penetrate the softer part of teeth and produce cavities.

• As long as bruxism continues, the situation keeps getting worse.

“Although no hard and fast figures on the frequency of bruxism are available currently, it is known that 80% of all bruxers may be unaware of the habit (Thompson, Blount, and Krumholtz, 1994) or ashamed of it… and that evidence of the self-destructive behavior (worn teeth) may take years to actually appear.

Estimates of the prevalence ranges from 5% to 100% …but it can safely be said that at the very least, one out of twenty Americans brux. Most likely, one in…