Central Illinois is waking up happier and healthier thanks to
the efforts of Dr. Rod Willey, DDS, D’ACSDD and his staff at the
Illinois Institute of Dental Sleep Medicine (IIDSM). Dental Sleep
Medicine, simply described, is a dental treatment of a medical condition
known as Sleep Apnea. Sleep Apnea can be treated using mandibular
re-positioning Oral Appliance Therapy.
Although Oral Appliance
Therapy (OAT) to treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is not a new
concept, it is still a relatively unknown treatment option. Dr. Willey
is working to spread the word regarding its benefits for patients. “It’s
a refreshingly simple-to-use solution with significant medical
benefits,” says Willey, “and should be considered along with the
traditional options of lifestyle changes, Continuous Positive Airway
Pressure (CPAP) and surgery.”
In February 2006, the American
Academy of Sleep Medicine stated that Oral Appliances were approved for
use in patients with mild to moderate OSA and in severe cases when CPAP
could not be tolerated. CPAP is pressurized air generated from a bedside
machine and delivered through a tube connected to a mask that covers
the nose. The force of the pressurized air opens the airway so it
becomes wide and clear causing the patient to breath easier.
“We
are finding that there is a very real need for an alternative to CPAP
because there are so many patients who either refuse to use it or have
tried and cannot tolerate it for various reasons,” says Dr. Willey.
“These patients continue to go untreated, still experiencing symptoms,
possibly driving drowsy and still at risk for many of Sleep Apnea’s
Dirty Dozen.” (See diagram on this page)
According to the National
Sleep Foundation, over 18 million Americans suffer from OSA, and over 90
percent remain undiagnosed. Sleep Apnea is a serious medical condition
that occurs when a person stops breathing for a 10-second time period or
more during sleep. People suffering from untreated Sleep Apnea stop
breathing repeatedly during their sleep, sometimes hundreds of times per
night.
How Do Oral Sleep Appliances Work?
The purpose of the oral appliance is to gently hold the jaw in a
position that prevents tissue obstruction and allows the airway to
remain open during sleep. Oral appliances are similar to athletic mouth
guards. Some patients report an increase in saliva production or minor
discomfort upon awakening, but this generally subsides. Oral appliances
provide a non-surgical and non-pharmacological (no drug) solution.
Referrals & Insurance
It is not necessary to have a referral to see Dr. Willey for a
consultation unless a patient’s insurance carrier requires it. The staff
at IIDSM will call to verify medical insurance eligibility on behalf of
the patient. OSA is a serious medical condition covered by most medical
carriers and Medicare. Dental sleep medicine gives dentists and
physicians the opportunity to work together to offer the best treatment
solutions. Dr. Willey consults and communicates treatment progression
with the patient’s physician for the best coordination of care.
Neuromuscular Dentistry & TMD Treatment
Patients at IIDSM benefit from a clinician who is trained in
neuromuscular dentistry. A neuromuscular trained dentist understands the
complex workings of the nerves, muscles and temporomandibular joint
(TMJ). Patients who suffer from TMD (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder)
have found relief in Dr. Willey’s capable hands. With modern techniques
to find the “true rest position”, Dr. Willey has been able to alleviate
headaches that have not responded to traditional methods, ear aches that
included ringing or buzzing and popping and clicking in the jaw joint
by creating a neuromuscular orthotic appliance.
“I had suffered
from headaches, particularly migraines, for as long as I could remember,
and they could last up to fifteen days,” says Alicia, a patient from
Dunlap, Illinois. “I had tried every headache medication, Botox, and
radiofrequency to treat them and nothing worked. After being treated for
Sleep Apnea and TMD with Oral Appliance Therapy my migraines are gone
and I have been able to eliminate all of my headache medications!”
Getting Started
Every patient who comes to IIDSM is screened for TMD as well as OSA.
“It’s all about lower jaw positioning,” says Willey. “If the lower jaw
is positioned back, it is encroaching both the throat, causing airway
issues, and the TMJ and ear, causing TMD issues. Both can be treated
successfully with Oral Appliance Therapy.”
If a patient has been
previously diagnosed with OSA, IIDSM will obtain a copy of their sleep
study. If a patient has not been previously diagnosed, Dr. Willey will
screen for Sleep Apnea and either offer an at-home sleep test (HST) or
suggest an overnight-attended test called polysomnography (PSG). These
tests are read by a local board- certified Sleep Physician who will
determine a diagnosis.
“As a general dentist, I treat sleep apnea, but I do not diagnose
it,” says Dr. Willey. If the patient is a candidate for OAT, Dr. Willey
will take a custom impression in order to have an FDA-approved lab
fabricate the sleep appliance.
Says Dr. Willey: “We know that
patients are anxious to get started once they understand the full
benefits of the oral appliance, and we are very accommodating. Some
patients may not realize just how tired they were until they have
experienced sleep with their appliance. Then they wonder how they were
ever able to manage without it.”
“After treating my Sleep Apnea
with the oral sleep appliance, I noticed an immediate difference in my
energy levels, and it was also much easier for me to lose weight,” says
Connie, a patient from Peoria. “I’m not snoring and have a much better
mood. I have been able to keep my atrial fibrillation under control and
lowered my blood pressure. Treating my sleep apnea has changed my life!”
Facts-Based Treatment
Progress is monitored carefully with follow up office visits. When a
patient feels that their snoring has stopped and their symptoms have
been relieved, Dr. Willey will order a follow up sleep study with the
oral appliance in place. “We do not rely solely on how the patient
feels, although that is very important. We want to be medically sure
that the oxygen levels are where they should be and that the sleep apnea
has been treated successfully,” says Dr. Willey. “Once maximum medical
efficacy is reached, we will see the patient again in six months and
then yearly after that. This gives me the ability to ensure continued
treatment success and make modifications to the treatment regimen as
needed.”
It’s Personal
Dr. Willey chose
to form the Illinois Institute of Dental Sleep Medicine to devote
himself fully to the treatment of OSA and TMD. Dr. Willey has received a
Diplomate with the Academy of Clinical Sleep Disorders Disciplines and
is a member of the Academies of Sleep Medicine and Dental Sleep
Medicine.
“I feel that all of what I have done in my career so
far has brought me to this point. It is what I am meant to do, and being
a partner in changing someone’s life for the better is what I look
forward to doing everyday,” he says.
Dr. Willey’s staff shares
his passion for the profession and its patients. IIDSM has the expertise
to treat patients and their family
members with care, compassion and
concern. The staff knows patients as friends and looks forward to long,
healthy relationships thanks to the long-term medical benefits of Oral
Appliance Therapy.
IIDSM is offering a Free
Public Seminar on Oral Appliance Therapy on Monday, January 14 at 2 p.m.
and 6 p.m. at the Hult Health Education Center by Proctor Hospital.
Please register online at IllinoisSleepDoc.com/seminar.
Illinois Institute of Dental Sleep Medicine Maple Shade Center,
11825 N. Knoxville Ave., Suite 100, Dunlap, IL 61525. Call 309-243-8980
or visit IllinoisSleepDoc.com