Dr. David Slobodinsky leads Sleep Well Philadelphia. Dr. David is one of only 10 dentists in the world who are trained at the highest level to treat snoring, sleep apnea and CPAP intolerance using the Zyppah system. As an expert in the field, he has dedicated himself to helping the four million untreated people with sleep apnea and the 40 million more who snore.
Why a Dentist?
A dentist is the only medical professional who can adequately fabricate, fit and service an oral appliance.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common type of sleep apnea and caused by complete or partial obstruction of the upper airway. The biggest issue is the tongue falling back into the throat while sleeping.
Why do we snore?
When our airway is partially obstructed, we snore. As we draw a breath, the obstruction causes the air to rush in faster and the surrounding tissues to vibrate, which creates the classic snoring sound.
What happens when the airway is totally obstructed?
When the airway is totally obstructed, we stop breathing. When we stop breathing, our blood oxygen levels drop, our heart speeds up, and our blood pressure increases. Think of running your car engine with no oil. Bad things happen.
Sleep apnea indicates an increased risk of high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, heart attack, Alzheimer’s and diabetes, to name a few.
If our heart is healthy enough, we suddenly wake up, gasping for breath. Once we breathe, our heart rate drops and our blood oxygen goes up; and we fall back asleep until the next time our tongue blocks our airway and the whole process starts again. Because this can happen many times a night, sleep apnea wreaks havoc on our organs and prevents us from getting restful sleep, which our body need to replenish itself.
If our heart is not healthy enough, it may stall out during one of these stressful apnea episodes, and we may never wake up.
How do I know if I have obstructive sleep apnea?
There is a simple home test you can take in the comfort of your own bed. The other option is to spend a night in a sleep lab, which may be inconvenient and uncomfortable.
What can be done to treat sleep apnea?
There are 3 main treatments for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.
- Surgery to enlarge the airway
- CPAP (continuous positive air pressure), which forces the airway to remain open
- Oral appliance (mouthpiece)
What are the benefits of an oral appliance?
Oral appliances are the most conservative, least invasive and most comfortable way to treat sleep apnea.
The main problem with surgery is that it doesn’t address the tongue, the major factor in blocking the airway. Surgery has also proven to be painful and invasive, and only a 50% success rate.
A CPAP machine includes a face mask that holds itself in place with straps and connects by hose to a noisy bedside machine that forces air down your throat. Major complaints include air leaks, strap marks left on the face, limited mobility during sleep, and difficulty cleaning and traveling with the machine.
How does an oral appliance work?
The oral appliance gently pulls the lower jaw forward, thereby moving the tongue out of the airway.
Why is the Zyppah appliance better that traditional appliances?
The Zyppah appliance uses elastics to pull the lower jaw forward so that the jaw can move freely during the night. All other appliances lock the jaw in place, which make it less comfortable and more likely to cause jaw pain.
Does my insurance cover it?
Your benefits will fall under your medical insurance, not your dental. All insurance plans differ based on benefits. We will confirm the benefits your plan provides before we begin any treatment.