As Seen In Ladies Home Journal – May 2008

“Obstructive sleep apnea is a serious medical condition that can lead to poor sleep...”

Michael B. Rogers, D.D.S.

     If you’ve been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, but can’t handle the idea of using a CPAP machine, Dr. Michael Rogers of Fairlington Dental has some very good news: a comfortable, highly effective alternative is available.   What’s more, this new treatment is what the American Sleep Association recommends as the first line of defense for mild to moderate sleep apnea. “Obstructive sleep apnea is a serious medical condition that can lead to poor sleep and play a role in high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, diabetes, kidney failure and obesity,” explains Michael B. Rogers, D.D.S. of Fairlington Dental.

      “Unfortunately, most patients find the standard treatment, a CPAP machine, uncomfortable and impractical as a long term solution. Recently, however, a new oral appliance has been developed that not only resolves mild to moderate sleep apnea, but is also easy to use and virtually undetectable.” Characterized by loud snoring and a blocked airway, obstructive sleep apnea can interrupt normal breathing patterns hundreds of times each night. By wearing a simple oral appliance similar to a retainer, patients suffering from sleep apnea and snoring can find relief by repositioning the jaw and opening the airway.   And because we use impressions from the individual’s own upper and lower jaw, we can personally tailor the device so much that the patient report they don’t even notice they’re wearing it after just a few nights.”  Called “The Silencer” and approved by the FDA, the oral appliance Dr. Rogers and his team use is effective 85 percent of the time, which is a great contrast to CPAP’s failure rate of over 50 percent. What’s more, the oral device is significantly less expensive than CPAP and covered by a growing number of insurance plans. If you’ve undergone a sleep study and received a diagnosis for mild to moderate sleep apnea, you can achieve the relief you need by requesting a referral to Fairlington Dental.

     “The Silencer is a wonderful alternative for patients who can’t or don’t want to use a CPAP machine,” says Dr. Rogers. “It’s also just as effective for those patients who snore, but who have not been diagnosed with obstruct ive sleep apnea. And not only will the individual wearing the oral appliance sleep better, but their sleep partner will, too.” “Unlike CPAP, which must be worn as a mask that covers most of the face, the oral appliance is comfortably worn inside the “The Silencer” is a comfortable, FDA approved oral appliance worn by patients who cannot tolerate the CPAP Machine.

     If you would like to use The Silencer to alleviate snoring, no referral is necessary and you may schedule a consultation simply by calling the office today at 703-671-1001. To learn more about Dr. Rogers and the leading-edge dental care provided by Fairlington Dental, visit the web site at http://www.fairlingtondental.com/.