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Physicians

Dentistry's Role

The role of the sleep-disorders dentist in the management of sleep-disordered breathing is expanding and most medical sleep teams are including a properly trained dentist.

The duties of the dentist include:

• Case detection (not diagnosis)
• Assess candidacy for oral appliance (OA) therapy
• Select OA design
• Construction, delivery of OA
• Titration of OA
• Treatment follow-up and monitoring
• Collaboration with MD

When to Refer

The recently revised American Academy of Sleep Medicine Practice Parameters (link below) indicate that physicians may refer patients to an experienced sleep disorders dentist for oral appliance therapy as first-line treatment for primary snoring and for mild and moderate OSA.

The ideal patients include those that are:

• Less obese
• Primary snoring
• Mild and moderate OSA
• Adequate dentition
• Asymptomatic TMJ
• Motivated
• Failures of CPAP or surgery at any OSA severity

Oral Appliance Practice Parameters

Board Certification

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Articles by Dr. Rogers

• Oral Appliance Therapy for the Management of Sleep Disordered Breathing: An Overview - Sleep and Breathing, Vol. 4, No. 2, 2000
• Review of Oral Appliance Therapy - Sleep Review, Sept. 2000
• Dental Sleep Medicine: Coming of Age - General Dentistry, August 2001
• Word of Mouth - Sleep Review,May/June 2006
• Sleep, Breathing and Orthodontics - Orthodontic Products Online, Aug. 2006
• Past, Present, and Future Use of Oral Appliance Therapies in Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders
• Sleep-Related Obstructive Respiratory Disturbances in Childhood

Choosing a Dentist

Now there is an effective way to control snoring and obstructive sleep apnea without resorting to cumbersome CPAP devices. A small device, similar to an orthodontic appliance, can be an alternative to cumbersome CPAP machines and, in some cases, be the first choice for treatment of mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea.

Pittsburgh Dental Sleep Medicine

Pittsburgh Dental Sleep Medicine is the only dental practice in the tristate area that is devoted exclusively to solving the problems of those who suffer from sleep disordered breathing.

Solutions to Snoring and Sleep Apnea Problems

If you or a loved one snores or has had difficulty wearing their medically prescribed CPAP, Dr. Robert Rogers of Pittsburgh Dental Sleep Medicine has had the years of experience necessary to offer a unique dental solution. Dr. Rogers is happy to consult with those who feel that they are having a problem with snoring or sleep apnea but have not been diagnosed and as well as those who are unable or unwilling to wear a CPAP unit. Dr. Rogers also works closely with other dentists in the tri-state area and with family physicians and sleep specialists.

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