ORAL APPLIANCE THERAPY FOR SNORING, SLEEP APNEA & CPAP PROBLEMS

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office news

August, 2008
Office News - Insurance Coverage

Most insurance companies will cover a large percentage of the cost of oral appliance therapy if the therapy is performed by a properly trained and qualified dentist.

Dr. Rogers has the training and experience necessary to maximize your insurance benefits. Out of pocket expenses may vary depending upon your policy deductible and co-payment percentage.

Dr. Rogers is now in-network with Highmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield and UPMC Health Plan.

What about the oral appliances I see sold over the Internet and on TV? See FAQ's...

what to expect during treatment

The first step in being treated for snoring or obstructive sleep apnea is to obtain an evaluation by a sleep physician who will provide a formal diagnosis usually based on a medical sleep study.. After that, an evaluation by a sleep-disorders dentist will determine whether you are a good candidate for oral appliance therapy and which appliance will be most effective.

The first dental appointment will involve a discussion of the problem, the advantages and limitations of oral appliance therapy in your case, the extent to which insurance will cover the procedures for you and an oral examination including an x-ray of your teeth and jaw joint. If you choose to proceed with the therapy, a simple in-home baseline dental sleep study will be done initially to compare to a second study to be done once the appliance is thought to be effective.

After the selected appliance is fabricated, you will return for a second appointment for a custom-fitting and instructions on use and care of the oral appliance. After that you will return for approximately two more times for follow-up visits to monitor the effect of the appliance and to make any necessary adjustments. The effectiveness will judged by resolution of your subjective symptoms (snoring and daytime sleepiness) and a second simple in-home dental sleep study.

When the snoring and tiredness have been resolved and the second in-home dental sleep study shows good improvement, you will be referred back to your sleep physician for final evaluation. Most often it will involve another medical sleep study.

Ultimately, you will be followed by Dr. Rogers on a twice per year basis to ensure adequate treatment to monitor any possible side effects.

our patients are talking...

“My initial problems with sleep apnea were snoring, choking, and sputtering around which while it bothered me, destroyed my wife’s sleep.

Daytime sleepiness was not a problem.

I tried CPAP treatment for approximately two years. It was cumbersome, uncomfortable and it interfered with my sleep. My membranes became very dry and switching to a CPAP with a humidifier didn’t help either. Finally, I gave up and stopped treatment altogether. That is when my wife left the bedroom.

The adjustment to using an oral appliance was very easy. I awakened feeling much more rested and my wife came back into the bedroom.

My experience working with Dr. Rogers was and is quite congenial. He is very professional and I have every confidence in his abilities and knowledge.

I wouldn’t think of going to bed without my oral appliance in place.”

Dwight L. Jones
Butler, PA