Sleep Apnea Dental Devices
Sleep Devices Offered
Each device has pros and cons from a design perspective as well as materials and methods of manufacturing perspective.
When selecting a device for you, Dr. Marc will consider what the patient is looking for in a device first and secondarily if that will work with the patients’ oral anatomy and level of severity of obstructive sleep apnea.
Dr. Marc is a firm that patient involvement is critically important for a successful outcome because a patient is more likely to wear a device they are comfortable with rather than one that is chosen for them.
Prosomnus
Prosomnus Sleep Technologies include a set of sleep devices that are widely available in the United States and manufactured in Pleasanton, California. Using CAD/CAM technology (computer-aided design and manufacturing), this device allows for an unmatched level of comfort and effectiveness.
The material is an acrylic called poly methyl methacrylate or PMMA. This is a very durable material and is known to be very hygienic or cleansable. Chairside adjustments are rather easy and a titration can be done in 0.5mm or 1mm increments.
Prosomnus Sleep Technologies is one of the fastest growing companies in the dental sleep medicine industry and Dr. Marc is one of their preferred providers in Indiana.
Panthera D-SAD
The Panthera Digital Sleep Apnea Device, or D-SAD, is widely available in the United States and is manufactured in Quebec City, Quebec in Canada. This device is made using CAD/CAM (computer-aided design and manufacturing), which allows for an unmatched level of comfort and effectiveness.
The Panthera Dental team uses it’s own proprietary software to design the D-SAD. From a 3D scan of a stone model or intra-oral scanning, each device is designed specifically to comfortably fit each patient.
The appliance is made of type 12 polyamide, which is a resistant biocompatible nylon. The nylon-12 material is soft and flexible as well as extremely durable. Panthera Sleep offers a 3 year warranty on this device.
Titration, which is the process of positioning the device to move the jaw forward, is done on this device in 0.5mm or 1mm increments. It is done by changing the connecting rods on the device. Those rods are designed to resist bruxism (teeth grinding) and will never elongate. The rods can be specially designed for heavy bruxism.
Somnodent
Somnodent is the dental brand stemming from one of the most recognizable brands of sleep apnea therepy, Somnomed. SomnoMed makes CPAP machines worldwide. Somnodent is one of the most recognizable oral appliance brands worldwide, which includes a line of devices that are widely available in the United States and manufactured in the Phillipines.
A few dental labs in the United States own the rights to fabricate Somnodent appliances in the United States. The devices are made from an acrylic material called poly methyl methacrylate or PMMA.
The device is titrated by turning a jackscrew inside the device with a key. Titration can be done in 0.1mm increments. This is very good for patients who have sensitive temporomandibular joints (TMJ). The Somnnodent devices are inserted as two separate pieces, which patients find to be easier to insert and remove.
Somndodent devices have a proprietary soft liner on the inside of the device that cushions the teeth, making it one of the more comfortable devices on initial try in.
Bfit
The Bfit appliance is the newest appliance. It was recently FDA cleared and launched for availability nation-wide starting in May of 2020. An orthodontist, dentist, and respiratory therapist invented this device and are practicing clinicians in Battle Creek, Michigan. This device is unique because there is no rigid fixation. The jaw is able to move more freely with the device in place. The mild elastic or spring pull system allows the jaw to find it’s most natural and effective jaw position during sleep. The Bfit does not require additional appointments for device adjustments or titration, thus making it a good fit for patients with busy schedules.
Braebon Dentitrac Compliance Monitoring – Not an appliance, monitoring system
A microchip is available for patients who would like objective compliance monitoring. Currently, a compliance chip is not required by insurance, the Indiana Department of Transportation, or the Federal Aviation Administration and organizations alike. However, that may change in the future, so Dr. Marc offers it as an additional service. CPAP machines all have compliance monitoring microchips, so this option will allow the patient to have a similar compliance monitoring experience as with CPAP therapy.
EMA
The Elastic Mandibular Advancement device, or commonly called EMA, is widely available and manufactured in the United States. This is a fully custom dental device to treat obstructive sleep apnea and is one of the most common sleep apnea devices in the United States.
The material is a thermoplastic polymer. The EMA has been available for decades with a proven success record.
Titration is done in 1mm increments with several different thicknesses of elastic straps. The straps provide the most flexibility for jaw movement, but unfortunately have to be replaced often as they do stretch and warp. Currently, Dr. Marc is providing replacement straps complimentary for the first 2 years.
Photo Coming Soon
TAP
The Thornton Anterior Position device, or commonly called a TAP device, is a generation of devices widely available in the United States and world. These devices are manufactured here in the United States and can be made chairside in the office.
Dr. Keith Thornton, who some might consider the Godfather of oral appliance therapy, invented the TAP device several decades ago and is currently on a 5 th generation version called the DreamTap. Newman Family Dentistry currently offers the full TAP sleep care system. For more information please go to https://tapintosleep.com/patient/
Photo Coming Soon
Morning Repositioner
BOOK A FREE SLEEP APPLIANCE CONSULTATION!
Discuss you or your spouse’s snoring or CPAP issues with one of Indiana’s top sleep apnea dentists!
Please fill out the form below. All of your contact information will be kept confidential.
“I have been so happy with every visit with Dr Marc Newman! He is super nicer and very informative.
Before coming to Dr Marc and getting my new dental appliance, I did not sleep well and woke up with a headache every morning! I had such low energy during the day from my lack of sleep.
From the very first night of wearing my appliance I have slept so much better. I have not had a single headache and I now have so much energy!!!
I have been so happy with my appliance that I have already recommended Dr Marc to a few people and will be having my husband visit soon!
Thank you again Dr Marc for all you have done for me!”