As a member of the Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, Dr. Starkman has been trained in dental inserts that slip into the mouth at bedtime and are easily removed in the morning. These inserts help to treat people suffering from sleep apnea and snoring.
Typically, patients diagnosed with OSA are prescribed a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device and facemask to wear while sleeping. While CPAP has been proven effective, many struggle to use the device regularly due to side effects that can range from mask discomfort to nasal congestion, irritation and headache. Patients who seek treatment now have a choice and are no longer limited to wearing a CPAP and mask while sleeping. Dentists are the ideal practitioners for treating snoring and sleep apnea. A large percentage of people do not know who their primary care physician is, while dentists see patients up to two times a year. Additionally, dentists are very familiar with the head, neck and airway and the concept of advancing the jaw forward to keep the airway open to prevent snoring.
