Sleep Appliance
And Laser Therapy
At Developmental Dentistry we have made significant strides in addressing sleep apnea, moving away from older, more invasive treatments and towards innovative, non-invasive solutions. Traditionally, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines have been a common treatment for sleep apnea. While effective, CPAP machines can be cumbersome and uncomfortable for some patients, leading to issues with compliance and long-term use.
In contrast, developmental dentistry now offers new avenues for treatment that focus on tailor-made solutions and advanced technology. One such innovation is the use of custom-fitted oral appliances. These devices are designed to adjust the position of the jaw and tongue during sleep, thereby keeping the airway open without the need for external apparatus. Unlike CPAP machines, these oral appliances are discreet, more comfortable, and easier to use, making them a favorable option for many patients.
Additionally, advancements in laser therapy have introduced a minimally invasive option for treating sleep apnea. Procedures such as NightLase® therapy involve the use of laser energy to tighten the soft tissues at the back of the throat. This reduces the tissue’s tendency to collapse during sleep, which is a common cause of airway obstruction in sleep apnea patients. Laser therapy offers a non-surgical approach to improve sleep apnea symptoms, with patients experiencing benefits after just a few treatment sessions.
These developments in developmental dentistry not only provide more accessible and patient-friendly options for treating sleep apnea but also emphasize the importance of personalized care. By moving away from one-size-fits-all solutions like CPAP machines and towards customized treatments, developmental dentistry is leading the way in innovative, effective, and less invasive options for managing sleep apnea. This shift not only improves patient outcomes but also enhances the quality of life for those affected by this common sleep disorder.
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our technology
Our office is equipped with a variety of top-tier technology to help us optimize our treatment and provide the best experience possible for our patients. Scroll through to see what we use for Sleep Appliance & Laser Therapy and reach out if you have any questions!
Vivos
Dr. Sabet is now treating people of all ages with a proprietary, non-invasive, non-surgical treatment option for the treatment of mild to moderate sleep apnea, snoring and sleep disordered breathing, called Vivos. Your Sleep Apnea may be the result of an obstruction in the airway caused by narrow dental arches and/or an underdeveloped jaw. These treatments may help the upper and lower jaws to fully develop and reshape the oral cavity. As these areas develop more fully, the airway may widen and expand, making it easier to breathe better and some of these symptoms may disappear.
Vivos offers an appliance system and protocol that can potentially treat the underlying problem of the small maxilla while also including the mandibular advancing properties of the MADs. Their revolutionary appliance technology, incorporating patented 3D axial springs and other design elements, evokes a specific and targeted epigenetic response that can remodel and enhance the bone and the airway. These biomimetic oral appliances allow for a treatment pathway that can potentially provide an endpoint where no further intervention is required. In addition, it creates the conditions necessary to greatly improve joint position and function.
Nightlase
Dr. Sabet also offers a minimally invasive laser treatment that reduces or stops snoring and has a high success rate in producing a positive change in sleep patterns. Research has shown that NightLase provides an effective, non-invasive way to reduce and attenuate snoring and sleep apnea. It includes a “walk-in, walk-out” procedure that has immediate results from day one, including reducing snoring by 50%. This safe and patient-friendly procedure increases the quality of sleep for patients without the use of anesthesia or postoperative pain. The laser gently heats the inside of the patient’s mouth to tighten the tissue and reduce snoring sounds and effects of sleep apnea.
A full course of NightLase consists of three separate 20-minute treatment sessions over a two month period. The final results of the treatment have been shown to last up to a year, and the therapy can be repeated.
Patients find NightLase to be a highly comfortable and satisfying solution. NightLase requires no device to be worn during sleep and involves no chemical treatment. It’s a gentle and easy way to regain a good night’s rest!
“In 98% of patients with OSAS, the condition is due to abnormal anatomical features of the soft tissues and/or the structures of the maxillomandibular skeleton that cause a “disproportionate anatomy” of the airway.”
*arch otolaryngol head neck surg/vol 137 (no. 10), oct 2011
Fotona Laser Therapy
is the ideal solution for pain reduction and wound healing, especially for treating TMJ, facial pain, and sleep apnea. The photobiomodulation (PBM) provides a non-invasive, clinically proven solution for reducing and managing pain, including highly effective, fast and simple, and patient- and practitioner-friendly procedures. PBM uses low-level, visible-red to near-infrared light energy to simulate cells to heal naturally, reduce inflammation, and relieve pain. The process also results in the stimulation of cell metabolism and micro-circulation, accelerated tissue regeneration, and increased lymphatic flow.
Resources & Research
outpatient erbium:yag (2940 nm) laser treatment for snoring: a prospective study on 40 patients
This study evaluated the efficacy of the erbium:YAG 2940-nm laser in providing treatment for patients suffering from long-lasting snoring-related sleep disorders. Forty patients with sleep and snoring disorders were assessed before and after three laser treatments. During treatment, patients reported no pain and there were no side effects. Results showed that 85% of patients were very satisfied with the treatments and patients reported improvements in loudness of snoring, waking during sleep, and dry mouth and choking while sleeping. Additionally, 75% of patients reported less tightness in their throats and better breathing after treatment, and these results were stable at their 20-month follow-ups. These results show that this laser is a non-surgical, non-invasive valid procedure for reducing the loudness in snoring.
minimally invasive erbium laser treatment for selected snorers
This study evaluated the effectiveness of the non-ablative Erbium: Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Er:YAG) laser for treating snoring. Twenty-four patients with snoring problems were assessed before and after three 15-20 minute treatments of this laser, conducted at two-week intervals. Results showed some improvement in snoring in all patients three months after the end of treatment, including about half of patients reporting snoring time accounting for less than 5% of their sleep time. Patients reported improved quality of sleep and life for both them and their partners and decreased daytime sleepiness three months after treatment. These results show that this laser treatment is an effective and non-invasive method for reducing snoring.