Fort Lauderdale Area Dentist Explains the Benefits of Oral Appliance Therapy vs. a CPAP Machine

Everyone wants and deserves a good night sleep. But if you suffer from obstructive sleep apea sometimes the treatment can be worse than the condition itself.  The most common treatment involves strapping a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine to your face while you sleep. While effective most people would prefer not to use one. Fortunately, for many sleep apnea sufferers, there are alternative treatments to CPAP that can be just as effective.

• Elevating your head at night— Propping up the end of the bed where you rest your head can help to unblock the airways during sleep making it easier for you to breath.
• Managing Your Weight — Obesity is a major contributing factor to sleep apnea. Fat deposits can fill throat tissue blocking your airway. Just a 10% loss in weight has been shown to decrease sleep apnea symptoms.
• Decongestants — Using a nasal decongestant can temporarily reduce nasal swelling and improve your breathing at night.
• Avoid Alcohol — Avoid the night cap before bedtime

If those suggestions are not enough there is an alternative therapy called dental appliance therapy.  A dental appliance most closely resembles a mouth guard that you may have used when playing sports or an orthodontics guard you might have used if you needed braces. The purpose of the appliance is to slightly adjust the angle of your jaw so that the soft tissue in the back of your throat can’t collapse thereby eliminating the cause of the obstruction.

The appliance itself is custom designed based on a digital x-ray or a physical mold. Your doctor will carefully adjust the appliance to ensure both comfort and the desired results are achieved. Once the appliance is ready, all you have to do is install it like a mouth guard when you go to sleep.

Why Choose a Dental Appliance Makes Over CPAP

For decades people with Obstructive Sleep Apnea had been treated with a CPAP machine. Here’s why most patients now prefer a dental appliance:

• Comfort — Appliances are natural and comfortable to use. Just slip it in your mouth and go to sleep. CPAP systems require wearing a mask connected to a hose.
• Quiet — On average, the person who shares a bed with a snorer loses at least an hour of sleep per night. Appliances are silent. CPAP systems are run by an electric motor to pump air into the mask that creates a noise.
• Convenience — Appliances are travel-friendly. There are no special requirements needed. CPAP requires an electrical connection and space for the pump and hose.
• Effectiveness —There are over a dozen clinical publications demonstrating the effectiveness of oral appliances (OA) compared to CPAP.

If you have questions about sleep apnea dental appliances please feel free to call our offices. We have the most comprehensive dental appliance services in the Fort Lauderdale area. Call today.

Original Source: https://firstwestondentist.com/fort-lauderdale-sleep-apnea-oral-appliances-vs-CPAP/

Weston Sleep Apnea Dentist Stephen J. Pyle Chooses WSI for New Website and Online Marketing

Stephen J. Pyle, DDS continued his long-term relationship with WSI by launching a new website in February of 2019 for sleep apnea treatment in Weston Florida. As a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine (ABDSM), Dr. Pyle is part of an elite group of dentists who have an in-depth level of knowledge in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea using oral appliance therapy.

Dr. Pyle has been practicing traditional family and cosmetic dentistry while employing state-of-the-art technology since opening his office in Weston back in 1986. In his more than three decades as a Weston Dentist.

The online marketing campaign is designed to help grow the business by driving highly targeted traffic to the new website and converting that traffic into leads and new patients.

WSI’s ongoing monthly online marketing campaign includes search engine optimization (SEO). The SEO campaign targets several terms that are relevant to the business including:

• Weston Snoring Treatment
• Sleep Apnea Doctor Weston
• Sleep Disorders Weston

The SEO campaign will include the weekly creation of relevant content to be added to the website and to newly created blogs on Blogger, WordPress, and Tumblr. In just a few months the campaign has already shown great results driving up new patients dramatically.

WSI Online Solutions is a Website Design company in Broward County having worked with dozens of area clients including Weston Personal Injury Lawyers Martin, Lister & Alvarez, Broward’s First Rheumatology Practice and Hollywood Florida’s Best Hospital for Pet Surgery Hospital and Body Up Patient Lift.

Original Source: http://www.wsi-onlinesolutions.com/weston-sleep-apnea-dentist-stephen-j-pyle-chooses-wsi-for-new-website-and-online-marketing

Our Weston Family Dental Practice Offers Tips on Heading Back to School

Dare we say it but it’s almost that time. Summer will be over before we know it and the kids will be heading back to school. As you start your back to school shopping and planning we’d like to offer a few things to add to you list.

 

1. Make a dental appointment. You should bring you child at least once a year and the beginning of school is a good time to do it. This will help your child avoid dental problems during the school year by hopefully catching them early or preventing them all together. A dental assessment prior to the return to school can prevent sudden toothaches and missed days of school.

 

1. Start a brushing and flossing routine. While most parents know children should be brushing twice and flossing once a day during the summer many kids skip brushing, flossing or both. Schedule a set time in the morning for your kids a few weeks before school starts to get back into a good routine. Even if this means you have to personally supervise your child’s teeth-cleaning routine.

 

1. Teach kids to rinse during school. We should all brush after every meal but it doesn’t always happen. Teach your kids to rinse by either bringing mouthwash to school or taking a trip to the water fountain.

 

1. Get fitted with a custom sports guard. If your child is going to participate in any contact sports, this is the time to have them fitted with a custom sports guard. A sports guard will protect their gums and the permanent teeth that have arrived.

 

Pediatric dentistry has changed a lot since you were a kid. Today’s technology and advanced dental techniques provide a far more comfortable experience for children. Make an appointment at our Weston dental practice for your kids’ back to school dental exam. At some point your kids may even thank you.

Why You Should Choose an Accredited Weston Sleep Apnea Specialist

If you are finally taking your sleepless nights and heavy snoring seriously and you are looking for a Weston sleep apnea specialist, look no further than Dr. Stephen J. Pyle DDS. Weston’s “first dentist” Dr. Pyle has been treating obstructive sleep apnea with comfortable and convenient dental appliances for years.   Recently Dr. Pyle joined the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM). The AADSM is the foremost authority on an area of dental practice that focuses on the use of oral appliance therapy to treat sleep-disordered breathing, including snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It encourages the continuing education of dentists working with patients suffering from sleep apnea.   Dr. Pyle holds the AADSM Qualified Dentist designation as a result of his experience with dental appliances and ongoing work with patients with obstructive sleep apnea and their sleep disorder physicians.   A Comfortable Alternative to CPAP Therapy   For decades the default treatment for obstructive sleep apnea was CPAP therapy. This device is worn at night. It fits over the nose where air under pressure is pumped in via a hose connected to a compressor. The forced air provides the pressure to keep the airway clear while the patient sleeps. With a clear airway there is no snoring or gasping.   Of course this therapy has its drawbacks. It’s uncomfortable and patients have a low tolerance for its use. It is cumbersome to transport if you travel away from home. It requires a plug in within reach of the pump’s cord; a problem in some hotels.   There is an alternative and it is the therapy that Dr. Pyle specializes in. Custom formed dental appliances are worn at night much like a sports guard. The appliance slightly adjusts the position of the jaw preventing a collapse of soft tissue into the airway.   With the appliance in place the patient gets the same advantages of CPAP therapy without the inconveniences. With appliances the patient can speak normally and even drink water.   If you believe you are suffering from sleep apnea, call our office today and make an appointment to see Dr. Pyle. Your sleepless nights and daytime fatigue can quickly become a thing of the past.

Tips on Traveling When You Have Sleep Apnea from Broward County’s Sleep Disorder Experts

If you are a Broward County resident suffering from sleep apnea and you are using a CPAP medical device to control your condition, traveling away from home overnight can present some challenges. Broward County dentist and sleep apnea expert Stephen J. Pyle DDS offers up some helpful tips on traveling with your CPAP device to ensure you can enjoy your trip without worrying about missing a session of your therapy.

Traveling With Your CPAP – Don’t Leave Home Without It

We all travel. Sometimes it’s vacation, sometimes it’s business, sometimes it’s to visit family and sometimes it might be camping out in the great outdoors of the backyard with the kids. Regardless of where you go, if you are a CPAP user you are going to need your medical device with you when you go to sleep.

Here are a few tips to make sure your CPAP sleep apnea therapy goes without a hitch:

• If there are parts on your device that are near their replacement date, replace them now. You don’t want to have a part fail when you’re in an unfamiliar place and unsure where replacements can be found.
• Inventory your parts before you pack to be sure you have the entire kit. Make sure the humidifier chamber is empty and completely dry.
• If you are flying, you can carry on your CPAP as a required medical device. It will not count against your carryon allowance. Keep the mask and tubing in your carryon and put the CPAP in a large zip lock bag before placing it in the x-ray tray. To be on the safe side, carry a copy of your prescription or letter of Medical Necessity in case TSA needs further assurances.
• Include an extension cord in your luggage. You don’t know how close an outlet will be to your bed and an extension cord will ensure you have power available without rearranging the furniture.
• Speaking of power, you may want to purchase a rechargeable battery; an absolute must if you plan on camping and great insurance against a power outage.

Travelling with a CPAP can be bothersome but is obviously necessary to keep your sleep apnea under control.

There is however, an alternative therapy available to persons with sleep apnea in Broward County that doesn’t require the cumbersome and restrictive requirements of a CPAP. For many sleep apnea sufferers a simple dental appliance worn at night can replace the mask, hose and compressor of a CPAP.

Dr. Pyle is an expert in evaluating the potential effectiveness of the simple mouth guard-like appliance for sleep apnea patients. If you are tired of dealing with the hassle and restrictions of a CPAP and would like to learn more about a simpler alternative, don’t hesitate to call our Broward County dental office today!

Benefits of an Independent Dental Practice Over a Corporate Practice

The Downside of Corporate Dentistry

 

If you are looking for a Weston dentist to care for your family’s oral health and pediatric dentistry needs, you probably are looking for a dentist whose approach to the practice is focused on the best possible treatment for the patient. You want an experienced professional like Stephen J. Pyle DDS, whose reputation for personal attention has kept, literally, generations of patients coming back for dental care.

 

You might logically think that all dentists have this same “patient first” business model. That has always been the traditional business model. However, “corporate dentists” or “Dental Service Offices (DSO)” have been popping up all over Florida and they often bring a different approach to dental service than the independent dentist.

 

What is a Corporate Dentist Office and how is it Different from Dr. Pyle’s Practice?

 

Let’s start with the basics. In Florida a dental practice has to be owned by a licensed dentist. Corporations or other business entities are forbidden by law to operate dental offices.

 

So what do DSOs do?

 

They provide all the essentials to run a dentistry practice except the talent. They can provide the office, equipment, supplies, non-medical personnel (front desk, billing etc.) insurance, marketing and more. Often DSOs can offer dentists exceptional discounts on all supplies because they are buying in volume for many offices. Everything a dentist needs to open a practice or expand an existing practice can be provided by a DSO…for a price. In essence the DSO is “investing” in the dentist and of course they expect a return on their investment. One of the ways that a DSO ensures they get a return is tying the compensation of the dentist to the types and volume of services that he or she performs.

This results in the dentist needing to meet “revenue goals” in order to get paid. Naturally “upselling” becomes a routine practice and if there is an adequate but less expensive treatment available, it is often not recommended in favor of more expensive procedures.

In short the dentist is now working for the DSO and has no input into the business model he or she follows.

When You Want a Dentist with your Best Interest in Mind, See an Independent Practitioner Like Dr. Pyle

 

When you own the practice and employ all of the staff you can determine how the business is run. An independent dentist can determine what services will be offered, what patient care policies will be followed and most importantly, what the culture of the office will be.

 

At Dr. Pyle’s practice the difference between corporate dentistry and a professional independent practice couldn’t be more obvious. From your first contact with the staff to the conclusion of a treatment you will know that you, and your particular care requirements are what drives the service, not a “revenue goal.”

 

Call us today for an appointment and experience the difference first hand.

 

Weston Dentist : Sleep Apnea : OSA : Dental Appliance

Weston’s First Dentist Provides the Numbers on Sleep Apnea

Dr. Stephen J. Pyle, Weston’s first dentist, is trained and qualified to diagnose OSA and works closely with sleep disorder MDs in treating the condition with dental appliances. A supporter of educating the public on health issues, Dr. Pyle offers up these facts and statistics about a condition that can adversely affect your health that is woefully under diagnosed:

Symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

• Waking up with a headache
• A frequent need to urinate during the night
• Nighttime gasping or coughing
• Snoring
• Excessive drowsiness during the day
• Depression

You are a prime candidate for OSA if you:

• Are a male
• If you are obese
• If you smoke or drink excessively
• If you have a large neck size
• If you have hypertension
• If there is a family history of obstructive sleep apnea

The Cost of Undiagnosed Sleep Apnea

• People with moderate to severe sleep apnea are 15 times more likely to be involved in a traffic accident.
• Treating all U.S. drivers with OSA would save over $11 billion in accident related costs and save nearly 1,000 lives a year.
• Undiagnosed sufferers used $200,000 more in health care in the 2 years prior to diagnosis than diagnosed persons.  
• Total cost of sleepiness is $43 to $51 billion per year.

OSA can now be treated with a simple dental appliance that worn at night that positions the lower jaw slightly forward preventing the airway from collapsing. The device is comfortable, effective, allows normal speech and even allows sipping water. The device has to be custom fitted and for that we recommend you visit Dr. Pyle in Weston.

Weston Dentist : dieting and Oral Health

Dieting and Oral Health

Many Americans resolve to live healthier lives and lose weight. However, they do not often consider the impact of dieting on their oral health.  Many diets either lack essential nutrients, or require a drink or supplement that is highly acidic or sugary.

Acidic foods and drinks attack both the enamel and the underlying dentin, which leads to tooth damage and if left untreated, could result in the need for a root canal or extraction. Sugary drinks or foods promote the growth of bacteria, which can lead to the same thing.

Diet sodas may be healthier in terms of calories, but they are no better in terms of acids. Sodas contain large amounts of citric and phosphoric acids, which can eat millions of holes in your enamel each time you drink one. Sports drinks and energy drinks are no healthier – they share the same flavor enhancing and preservative acids that are often used in sodas. In fact, energy drinks tend to be worse than sports drinks and many diet sodas.  Many sports drinks and diet supplements have a pH value of around 3 – in comparison, water has a pH value of 7, while battery acid has a pH value of 1. This means that with time and continued use, these ‘healthy’ alternatives will actually eat through your teeth!

Liquid diets are also of concern to dental health

Those that rely solely on a meal replacement drink are often damaging as these also have a very high acidic content, and there is no other food to help neutralize the acids.

If you do drink sodas, limit soda intake. It is also better to drink a soda all at once, and then wash it down with food or water – this limits the amount of time that the sticky, acidic residue has on your teeth. Drinking a soda over a long period of time allows the residue to continue to eat through your enamel, even when you are not actually drinking the soda.

Flavored waters are often touted as a healthier alternative to sodas and sports drinks. However, many of the flavors and additives in these waters are very high in acidity – although they are better for your teeth than sodas, they can still cause significant decay.

Call your family dentist in Weston, FL for more information on all of your Oral Health. Read more:

Family Dentistry : Services : Weston

Family Dentistry at Stephen J Pyle, DDS serves as the first line of defense and detection for serious health problems like gum disease and oral cancer. A dental exam typically includes periodic x-rays where these problems can be spotted and appropriate action taken. Serious gum disease can contribute to heart disease and stroke making the dental exam even that much more important to a family member’s overall health.

Family Dentistry…Did You Know?

When people think of family dentistry they most likely think dental exams, digital x-rays, teeth cleaning, extractions and teeth polishing. However today, a trained dentist like Dr. Pyle can offer can offer additional services that might surprise you:

• NTI Tension Suppression System. This is a custom fit dental appliance that patients can wear at night to significantly reduce migraine headaches and migraine associated stress headaches. Dr. Pyle was the first to offer this non-surgical, no-drug, no side effects therapy in Weston.
• Customized sports guards. If you or your children play a contact sport or a sport that could potentially result in a dental injury (like tennis or racquetball) Dr. Pyle can create a custom mouth guard for protection.
• Tooth colored fillings. This filling material looks and feels more natural and is an excellent alternative to traditional silver filling material.
• Dental hypnosis. Certified by the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis Dr. Pyle can put anxious patients at ease using dental hypnosis making the dental treatment process less stressful.
• Sleep Apnea Oral Appliances.  If you have been diagnosed with mild to moderate Sleep Apnea, Dr. Pyle can custom fit you for an oral appliance to treat your sleep apnea ( rather than using a CPAP – Continuous Positive Airway Pressure – device.)

Family dentistry is an important part of your family’s overall health care program. Regular dental examinations and maintenance can prevent major (and expensive) dental issues later on: read more

Getting the Facts about Dental X-Rays

What are Dental X-Rays?

Dental X-Rays are X-Rays used by dentists to examine your mouth and teeth.  These X-Rays can be used to check for cavities, bone loss, and tissue masses, cysts, or tumors, as well as to examine the jaw and jaw joints.   X-Rays can also be used to examine new teeth (in children, or wisdom teeth) and tooth damage that cannot be seen just by looking in the mouth.  Dental X-Rays are generally useful for monitoring the state of your oral health, and are good at detecting oral health issues early before they become major problems.

What are the different types of Dental X-Rays?

There are several different types of Dental X-Rays, each of which focus on different parts of the mouth.

Periapical X-Rays focus on showing an entire tooth, including the tip of the root and the surrounding bone structure.

Panoramic X-Rays give a quick overview of the whole mouth, including the jaw and nasal area, but are not as detailed as other types.

Occlusal X-Rays are used to view either the floor or roof of the mouth.

Bitewings are a type of X-Ray that show the tops of the upper and lower back teeth and how they fit together.  They reveal cavities between the teeth and bone level around the back teeth.

How often should I have Dental X-Rays?

On average, an adult patient should receive bitewing X-Rays every 1 to 3 years.  However, this frequency is based on a variety of factors.  Younger children and teens need bitewings more frequently; children should receive bitewings every 1 to 2 years, and teens every 1 to 3 years.  Adults with a history of tooth decay are at higher risk of continued tooth decay, and so should also receive bitewings more frequently, with the exact frequency to be determined by your dentist.  For more information, visit our website at http://www.firstwestondentist.com