Sleep apnea is a dangerous condition that is usually treated with CPAP initially. The world of sleep medicine has been rapidly changing as more knowledgable sleep physicians are referring more and more patients for oral appliances to treat their sleep apnea instead of CPAP. CPAP treatment of sleep apnea has long been the Gold Standard but the majority of patients do not continue to use it.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recognizes oral appliances and Dental Sleep Medicine as a first line treatment for mild to moderate sleep apnea. Poor compliance has always plagued CPAP and studies show that patients prefer comfortable oral appliances to CPAP. Patients with severe apnea are frequently treated very successfully with oral appliances. The AASM considers oral appliances an alternative treatment for severe sleep apnea when patients do not tolerate CPAP>
Dr Shapira has recently joined with American Sleep Medicine in Skokie to provide oral appliances to sleep apnea patients. Dr Shapira is a pioneer in Dental Sleep Medicine and was certified by the Sleep Disorder Dental Society and is now a Diplomate of The American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine.
As a Visiting Asst Professor at Rush Medical School in the 1980's Dr Shapira did research on the jaw relations of sleep apnea patients compared to sleep apnea patients. The NHLBI released a report "Cardiovascular and Sleep Related Consequences of Temporomandibular disorders.
Dr Shapira founded I HATE CPAP LLC to inform the public about the dangers of sleep apnea and to promote Dental Sleep Medicine and comfortable oral appliances as an alternative to CPAP.
Contact Dr Shapira Toll Free at 1-8-NO-PAP_MASK (1866-727-6275)
