You’re not alone. Approximately 83% of CPAP patients quit or are inconsistent in their therapy.
When a patient cannot tolerate CPAP, they neglect to use it. This non-compliance is referred to as CPAP intolerance or CPAP failure.
CPAP failure is often caused by issues outside of your control:
These and other issues make CPAP failure common for many obstructive sleep apnea sufferers.
Whether it’s for vacation or work, travel can be stressful. Traveling with a CPAP machine is an added inconvenience. The additional weight of the machine and getting through security checkpoints can make traveling with a CPAP frustrating.
Plus, once you arrive at your destination you’ll need to find distilled or deionized water for your humidifier. Then hope there’s an electrical outlet close to your bed. And, if traveling internationally, you’ll need the correct adapter.
Traveling during inclement weather or to remote surroundings can lead to problems with power reliability. These scenarios require you to choose between carrying a back-up battery or going without your treatment. This also contributes to higher failure or non-compliance rates.
The process is simple. First, come in for a free consultation, together we’ll determine if this is the right option for you. If it is, we’ll coordinate with your insurance company for coverage.
Second, we’ll custom fit your new oral appliance.
Third, you enjoy a good night’s rest.
If during your consultation it is determined that you should undergo a second sleep test, we will assist you in ordering a convenient and accurate home sleep test. In the comfort of your own bed, you’ll wear the testing device while sleeping. A Board Certified Sleep Physician will interpret the data and we will contact you to discuss your results.
According to Dr. Damian D. Blum, “The dentist of today, if well trained and forward thinking, can foretell the future physical and mental disorders of patients. This can be done through understanding of patients’ current oral and systemic conditions, and with appropriate therapeutic intervention, we can change the future into a healthier one.”
For more than 30 years, Dr. Blum’s patients have benefited from his unending dedication to improve their oral and systemic health. He has maintained a mercury-free dental practice for almost 20 years after finding, through research, that mercury was a neurotoxin and was not safe to place in patients’ mouths.
Through continuous learning, Dr. Blum incorporated into his practice the knowledge that many debilitating, systemic disorders are evident through oral manifestations. (Signs of illness can be read in the mouth.) As a well trained dentist, he understood this connection, which has led him to establish close working relations with patients’ physicians and other medical specialists.
He discovered and understood the ever-present relationship between dental problems, periodontal problems, orofacial pain, TMD, headaches, systemic inflammatory diseases and problems with the patients’ airway and breathing.
Once he started researching and digging deeper into the connection between systemic health, airway blockages, and disordered breathing, there was no turning back. It became a soul purpose for him to help his patients, as well as to teach other dentists and allied health professionals about airway problems and sleep related breathing disorders.
Building health is not about competition–-it’s about community. Through his clinical practice, lectures, and workshops, Dr. Blum has made it his quest to spread the word about treatment of sleep related breathing disorders.
Dr. Blum is a member of the American Academy Dental Sleep Medicine, the Academy of Clinical Sleep Disorders Disciplines, the American Academy of Physiological Medicine and Dentistry, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, and the Maryland Sleep Society.
I went today because I have sleep apnea, and I had heard how wonderful Dr. Blum was in working with mouth apparatuses. I will be set up with a new sleep test because my original test was outdated. Soon I will be sleeping with relief! Thank you Dr. Blum!!
Monica S.
I have been a patient of Dr. Blum since 2013. He has been EXCEPTIONAL in his diagnosis and treatment of my Sleep Apnea condition. Dr. Blum is very patient and considerate of the needs of his patients and takes whatever time is necessary to make sure they fully understand the plan that will be best for them. If you want the very best treatment, then of course you will make an appointment today to get your sleep apnea problems resolved quickly and properly.
Alvin D.
Dr. Blum and his team are professional and very knowledgeable. It’s a nice touch to have the doctor greeting you when you arrive for your appointment. Great first impression!
Amanda M.
Snoring frequently accompanies sleep apnea but it is not always an indicator of whether this sleep condition is present. However, snoring can indicate that bulky throat tissue could potentially obstruct airways – especially if patients have certain lifestyle factors that contribute to sleep apnea. Fortunately, the treatment we offer for sleep apnea and snoring is the same. By prescribing a custom oral appliance, the diameter of the airway can be widened to prevent the sounds of snoring as well as episodes of apnea. These oral appliances are soft and comfortable to wear. They work by positioning the lower jaw slightly forward so that the airway is no longer obstructed.
Anyone of any age can have sleep apnea. Even though snoring can accompany sleep apnea, it is not always a symptom of this sleep disorder. For this reason, it is important to have a sleep study conducted to determine if apnea is occurring. Our practice provides take-home sleep study machinery to detect episodes of apnea during sleep. After usage, the device will be returned to our practice and we will analyze the data collected. If we find that sleep apnea is present or determine if snoring is obstructing one’s quality of life, we will provide treatment recommendations.
The exact cause of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is different for each person. Anyone can develop it, regardless of age or gender. The most common risk factors include:
While CPAP is very effective in treating sleep apnea, many people cannot tolerate the discomfort of the mask and the inconvenience and noise of the machine. Therefore a high percentage of users have difficulty or will not wear them.
An oral appliance is a popular alternative to the CPAP. This device is small, portable, fits more comfortably and can provide similar treatment benefits.
You will have a follow-up sleep study while using your oral appliance to confirm the effectiveness of the device. A consultation with the sleep medicine physician will be necessary to interpret the results.
Because insurance plans vary widely, our experienced team will work with you to see if your insurance company will cover the oral appliance. If for any reason it isn’t covered, we will let you know and work with you to develop a financial plan if needed.
If coverage is available for oral appliances, it will come from your medical insurance carrier. Most dental insurance companies do not cover treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.
Our patients tell us it is well worth the investment of their time and money to treat their sleep apnea because of the improved quality of life they experience.
We offer financing options and will work with you to find a solution that fits your needs.
The majority of patients will adapt to the appliance within 5-10 days. It will take a few days to get used to having a device in your mouth while you sleep. The appliance will not hurt your teeth. If your teeth are sore after initial use, we can easily adjust it for your comfort.
They are made of hard acrylic, which is very durable. They are typically replaced every 3-5 years depending on wear and tear. If you grind your teeth, you may have a more frequent rate of repair or replacement.
A change in your bite is possible. Depending on the position of your teeth and the status of your bone, your teeth may shift. This can be minimized with the use of a morning re-positioning device.
The most common side effect is morning muscle soreness that usually goes away after a short time. Some patients may experience either dry mouth or excessive salivation. As mentioned above, minor tooth movement occurs in some patients.
Obstructive sleep apnea in unlikely to decrease with age; therefore your oral appliance will probably be a lifelong therapy. However, certain wellness factors such as significant weight loss may improve your symptoms.
While there are over-the-counter appliances you can order, keep in mind these are not FDA approved for treating sleep apnea. Additionally, when not fitted properly they may cause unwanted side effects such as jaw problems or excessive tooth movement.