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Good morning!

Appliance companies do a great job convincing us that their specific design, material, or process is the best thing since sliced bread.

Certainly there is truth in what they are claiming.

We all have our preferences, but does one appliance type cover 100% of your sleep patients?

No.

It’s important to know the mechanisms that you are prescribing your patients and their potential side effects. let’s go!

In Today’s Edition:

• How Appliance Design Affect Treatment Outcomes

• The Complete Guide To Google Ads For Dentists

• Industry Events

• Appliance Mechanism [Video]

5-minute read👇

Clinical Corner

🥼Use the clinical corner as your secret weapon to impress your colleagues and patients!

Key Takeaways🔑

Mandibular advancement devices are essential for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) treatment, helping to maintain an open airway during sleep. However, these tools can create/ exacerbate side effects if we are not careful in the prescription and management of this therapy.

Today, we're diving into the mechanics of various MAD designs to better understand how they work and which type might be the best fit for specific patient needs.

Design A - Midline Push & Pull

Functionality at a Glance: The TAP device embodies a unique push-and-pull mechanism. This design primarily uses the patient's anterior teeth to secure the mandible in a forward position, effectively preventing airway collapse during sleep.

The Slim Advantage: One feature of this design is its thin profile. This aspect avoids the bulky buccal profile, a common complaint with other oral devices. The reduced buccal interference makes it a comfortable option for a wide range of patients.

⚠️Clinical Considerations:

• Force Application: Primarily engages anterior teeth, applying labial forces on mandibular anteriors. This could lead to tooth movement, including decreased overjet.

• Patient Suitability: Ideal for those needing considerable mandibular advancement. Careful monitoring is required to observe any anterior tooth alignment changes.

• Side Effects: Potential for anterior dental side effects, necessitating more frequent follow-ups to manage any unwanted dental movements.

Design B - Bilateral Push (Herbst Mechanism)

Versatile and Effective: The bilateral push design, often termed as Herbst or hinge mechanism, is a popular choice in various brands such as ApexOasys, Kava, and SomnoMed, among others. It's particularly recognized for its compliance with Medicare guidelines.

How it Works: This design uses Herbst hardware located in the buccal region to hinge and advance the mandible forward. Notably, the Oasys hinge stands out for its ease of adjustability, low profile, and limited lateral restriction, offering a blend of effectiveness and patient comfort.

⚠️Clinical Considerations:

• Force Distribution: Utilizes bilateral forces, focusing on canines and posterior teeth, thereby reducing the risk of anterior tooth movement.

• Patient Suitability: Best suited for patients with strong posterior teeth as anchors.

• Monitoring and Adjustment: Regular dental check-ups are advised to monitor occlusal changes or molar positioning, particularly for potential distalization of molars.

Design C - Bilateral Interlocking (Dorsal Mechanism)

A Refined Approach: Commonly referred to as the "Dorsal" design, this mechanism is known for its bilateral dorsal wings, which simplify the process of advancing the mandible. The approach is simple yet effective, balancing the need for advancement with the preservation of tongue space.

Trusted by Industry Leaders: This MAD design is heavily researched and backed by prominent names in sleep technology like SomnoMed and Panthera Dental. The use of advanced materials like milled PMMA and SLS Nylon ensures both durability and comfort for patients.

⚠️Clinical Considerations:

• Even Force Distribution: Designed to distribute forces more evenly, these appliances reduce stress on individual teeth and are less likely to cause significant tooth movement.

• TMJ Considerations: Particularly advantageous for patients with TMJ concerns, as the design minimizes strain on the joint. However, nighttime bruxers may cause breakage.

• Diverse Suitability: Appropriate for a wide range of patients due to their versatility and reduced risk of occlusal changes.

Design D - Bilateral Pull (EMA Mechanism)

Innovation in Comfort: The Elastic Mandibular Advancement (EMA), initially introduced by Dr. Don Frantz, has set a new standard in oral appliance therapy. It’s been adapted into various forms, such as Panthera’s D-SAD, SomnoMed’s Avant, or EMA’s world-class new appliances making significant strides in patient comfort and treatment effectiveness.

Evolving with Technology: This design category is swiftly gaining popularity for its innovative approach to mandibular advancement. By utilizing elastic forces, it offers a less intrusive and more TMJ-friendly solution. The continuous evolution, incorporating milling technology and specialized materials, makes it a go-to option for many practitioners.

⚠️Clinical Considerations:

• Unique Force Direction: These devices potentially increase overjet by exerting forces that are anterior-directed, which can be beneficial for maintaining natural bite.

• Patient Suitability: Suitable for those requiring mild to moderate advancement, especially those with pre-existing reduced overjet.

• Long-Term Effects: Regular monitoring is important to manage the unique impact on overjet and ensure the device maintains its effectiveness without causing unwanted dental changes.

Business of Sleep

📈Better businesses = more lives saved!

The Complete Guide To Google Ads For Dentists And Dental Practices

The world of dentistry is very competitive, with practices dotted around the country, all wanting new patients to join them. If your practice wants more visibility to gain more brand awareness and a steady stream of new patients, Google Ads is one of the fastest, most effective ways to do so. With the right guidance and correct setup of ad campaigns, your practice will gain an edge over your local competitors.

You’re probably wondering, why should I be using Google Ads in the first place. Well, there are 3 smart reasons why you should be advertising on Google:

1. Attracting your targeted, ideal patients and demographic – When creating a Google ads campaign, you’re targeting your ads at prospective patients and customers who are looking for exactly what your business offers.

2. Fast-acting results – The Google Ads setup is straightforward and you’ll be reaping the benefits in no time. You can start getting clicks within hours of creating your ads and turning them on.

3. Low risk – The element of low risk within Google Ads is what makes it so appealing to more and more businesses each day. You don’t need to be spending a fortune to create and run a successful ads campaign, you can budget the right amount you feel comfortable with.

Step-by-step guide for dentists [download]

Previous Editions:

👉 The Most Common Sleep Disorders vs OSA

👉 The Healing Power of Sleep

👉 Chronobiology 101

Something Sweet

🍭Stuff so sweet you might get a cavity..

Industry Events

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Miscellaneous

😅P.S. … I forgot something

Want to watch the inspiration for today’s edition? Watch it here!