Sleep Apnea and Snoring Treatment for Children in Escondido, CA

WHAT EVERY PARENT NEEDS TO KNOW

A survey of over 500 children revealed that 9 in 10 exhibited at least one condition associated with sleep disordered breathing. Yet few health care professionals are able to fully connect all of these symptoms to their common root cause – an undeveloped mouth and jaws and a constricted airway. Children who can’t breath and sleep properly can’t grow and learn properly. 

The Vivos system for children promotes guided growth and development of the teeth, jaws, and airway. The Vivos system is a series of specially designed mouthpieces, worn in the evening and at night, that correct misaligned teeth and jaws. They immediately increase the oral volume and correct mouth breathing, both of which improve sleep. 

Our goal is to guide the growth and development of children to allow for all 32 permanent teeth to correctly grow into place, with wide palates, broad smiles, straight teeth and properly developed airways in order to eliminate the adult epidemic of Obstructive Sleep Apnea. 

The Vivos appliance system improves the quality of life of a child, helps them develop properly, and allows for straight properly aligned teeth, jaws and a wide open airway. Give your child the chance they deserve to live a full and healthy life. Ask us about our Vivos appliance system today! 760-746-3663

 

 

Read Full Post »

Change your LIFE! Escondido dentist, Dr. Jeffry Kerbs, assists patients in achieving life changing results with VIVOS DNA SYSTEM.

Escondido dentist, Dr. Jeffry Kerbs, uses the Vivos DNA System which represents a breakthrough treatment proven to easily, painlessly, and naturally remodel, reposition, and redevelop the anatomy that surrounds the head and neck including the upper and lower jaw and airway. The Vivos DNA appliance is a FDA registered Biomimetic oral appliance, which harnesses the body’s natural ability for self-correction through gene environmental interactions by using developmental mechanisms that are encoded that the level of the human genome. The Vivos DNA appliance system aims to put the body back into it’s correct developmental path. This makes this system unique in upper airway, orthodontic and craniofacial correction. Unlike traditional braces, the Vivos DNA appliance is not worn all the time. The appliance is only worn in the early evening and all night while asleep.

The Vivos DNA System:

• Restores and helps maintain proper symmetry and alignment
• Promotes craniofacial and orthodontic correction
• Gives a broader, wider smile with improved esthetics
• A solution for crowded or crooked teeth, gummy smiles, narrow palates, TMD, sleep bruxism and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
• Allows for higher quantity and quality of sleep
• Can drastically reduce or even eliminate snoring
• Promotes a more beautiful, symmetrical and attractive face “a DNA facelift”
• Restore normal breathing and sleep patterns which improve overall health
• Reduce or eliminate the need for other lifetime treatment options

The Vivos DNA appliance system has been clinically proven to treat and in some cases cure Obstructive Sleep Apnea, it does this through non-surgical remodeling of the upper airway. The biomimetic design of the Vivos DNA appliance results in more than just tooth movement. As the teeth move during treatment the bone structures within the face also change and grow. As the jaws grow into their fully developed form the rest of the facial structures are also signaled. This gives the face a better, more natural support system and may result in increased facial symmetry. Patients report improved overall facial esthetics, almost like a natural facelift without the pain or toxins associated with other cosmetic therapies.

Call our Escondido dental office today to ask how the Vivos DNA System may work for you! 760-746-3663

Read Full Post »

Alternative Treatments for Sleep Apnea with Escondido Holistic Dentist Dr. Kerbs – Study Shows Dental Appliance Successful in Treating Patients with Severe Sleep Apnea

Dr. Kerbs practices holistic dentistry in Escondido, CA. As a part of Dr. Kerbs holistic practice of dentistry, he treats patients who suffer from snoring and sleep apnea who are seeking treatment other than a CPAP, surgery or prescription medication. Dr. Kerbs treats these patients with a comfortable dental appliance that is successful in reducing and in most cases eliminating snoring and sleep apnea. The following study talks on the successful treatment for patients with severe sleep apnea.

Study Shows Dental Appliance Successful in Treating Patients with Severe Sleep Apnea

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Monday, February 23, 2009

SAN ANTONIO (Jan. 14, 2009) – Imagine choking and gasping for air every time you fall asleep. Between 18 million and 20 million people in the United States suffer from these frightening symptoms because of a common disorder called sleep apnea. Because of a lack of awareness among both health professionals and the public, up to 90 percent of sufferers aren’t diagnosed or treated, and that could prove deadly.

When left untreated, sleep apnea may lead to more serious health problems. According to national health statistics, nearly 38,000 cardiovascular deaths annually are in some way related to sleep apnea.

Although treatment is available, many don’t comply with standard therapies. Researchers in the Dental School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio are offering another treatment option that is more appealing, more affordable and easier to use than standard therapies.

Paul McLornan, B.D.S., assistant professor in the Department of Prosthodontics, is the lead investigator of an 18-month study involving sleep apnea patients at the South Texas Veterans Health Care System, Audie Murphy Division. Researchers used an oral appliance called the Thornton Adjustable Positioner (TAP) to treat those suffering from moderate to severe sleep apnea.

“What we found was that many of our patients with moderate to severe sleep apnea were not adhering to standard treatment with a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine,” Dr. McLornan said. Although the CPAP is considered to be the gold standard in treating sleep apnea and is very effective, Dr. McLornan said compliance by patients is well below 50 percent.

“Some patients say the machine (which uses a face mask connected to tubes and blows air down a patient’s throat during sleep to keep the airway open), is cumbersome or noisy,” Dr. McLornan said. “Some said it was uncomfortable or that it bothered their spouses, or that they were just too embarrassed to use the machine.”

Dr. McLornan’s study proved that the TAP device, which is much smaller and fits in a patient’s mouth, is now an option for patients with severe sleep apnea.

“It was previously thought that treatment for patients suffering from severe sleep apnea was limited to use of the CPAP or surgery,” Dr. McLornan said. “Our study added to the body of medical and dental research literature by showing that oral appliances can be effective in treating people with severe sleep apnea. As an added advantage, the device is less cumbersome, is better tolerated by patients, and is much less invasive and costly than the CPAP or surgery.”

Patients in the study were fitted with the TAP appliance and given a tiny key that fits in the front of the device. The patient was instructed to wear the appliance every night and to insert and turn the key several millimeters before bedtime. By turning the key, the patient pulls his lower jaw forward, thus creating an open airway in the throat.

“We asked the patients to tell us when they reached a point in the adjustments that felt comfortable and when they felt they were able to sleep without snoring or gasping,” he said. “We then evaluated patients using standard sleep studies to determine whether or not their sleep had indeed improved.”

Dr. McLornan said patients in his study improved significantly using the TAP. “We saw patients who began the study with severe sleep apnea end the study with very mild or no sleep apnea. They reported sleeping better, feeling more rested in the morning and altogether healthier.”

Dr. McLornan said this research is vital to both the medical and dental communities.

“Sleep apnea is a growing and serious problem for people of all ages and all ethnic groups,” Dr. McLornan said. “If left untreated, it becomes progressively worse. People suffering from sleep apnea are at increased risk for high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes, obesity and diabetes. It takes both dentists and medical professionals working together to control this potentially deadly disorder. The TAP gives patients another viable treatment alternative.”

Dr. McLornan said patients who think they may suffer from sleep apnea should consult their family physician and undergo a standard sleep study in a lab. Costs are normally covered by medical insurance.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the professional society that sets the standards for and promotes excellence in sleep medicine, now recommends that oral appliances can be the first line of treatment for people with mild to moderate sleep apnea. Dr. McLornan’s study demonstrates it can be used for patients with severe problems as well.

If you or a loved one suspect that sleep apnea may be a problem please call our Escondido dental office today for a free consultation. Dr. Kerbs provides take home sleep tests as a screening tool to discover if sleep apnea is a problem. Our patient’s find our sleep tests and treatment options user-friendly and comfortable. Dr. Kerbs office is located in North County San Diego, in Escondido near the downtown campus of Palomar Hospital. Please visit our website at http://www.drjekrbs.com or call us today at 760-746-3663.

 

Read Full Post »

Sleep Apnea Treatment, CPAP Alternative Treatment with Escondido Dentist, Dr. Jeffry Kerbs

Escondido dentist, Dr. Jeffry Kerbs, is holding a free informational seminar at his office regarding sleep apnea and alternative treatments to CPAP on Thursday, July 31st at 6:30pm. Please RSVP and call our office with any questions 760-746-3663.

Escondido Sleep Apnea Treatment with Dr. Kerbs

Sleep apnea is a common disorder in which breathing is disrupted during sleep. Breathing is essential for life, with sleep apnea breathing can stop for a few seconds to minutes at a time and this may occur 30 times or more in an hour. This disruption in sleep, moves you out of deep sleep into light sleep which has detrimental affects on overall health. Sleep apnea goes undiagnosed by doctors often, it is important for patients to become informed and bring up symptoms to their primary care physician or dentist for further testing and diagnosis.
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/sleepapnea/

The most common signs and symptoms of sleep apnea are:
-Excessive daytime sleepiness
-Snoring
-Episodes of breathing stopping during sleep (witnessed primarily by another person)
-Abrupt awakenings followed by shortness of breath
-Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat
-Morning headaches
-Difficulty staying asleep
-Attention problems
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sleep-apnea/basics/symptoms/con-20020286

If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to serious and potentially fatal health conditions:
-High blood pressure
-Stroke
-Heart failure/Heart disease
-Heart attack
-Diabetes
-Weight gain
-Depression
-ADHD
-Acid Reflux
-Asthma
http://www.sleepapnea.org/learn/more-on-sleep-apnea.html
Fortunately sleep apnea can be successfully treated and with treatment many of these health conditions disappear.

Escondido dentist, Dr. Jeffry Kerbs, has special expertise in treating sleep apnea with a comfortable dental device that is custom fitted to open the airway during sleep. Dr. Kerbs works alongside a sleep physician to properly diagnose and treat sleep apnea. Often times patients are prescribed with a CPAP by their medical doctor and feel that they are unable to tolerate it. Dr. Kerbs offers a treatment solution, an alternative to CPAP treatment.

If you or a loved one suspect that sleep apnea is a concern, or if you have a CPAP and are not using it, please attend our free informational seminar regarding CPAP alternatives. The seminar will be held Thursday, July 31st at 6:30 at our Escondido office 240 S. Hickory St. Suite #207 Escondido, CA 92025 At this seminar you will gain more information on sleep apnea and available treatments. Call our office to RSVP as space is limited. 760-746-3663

Read Full Post »

Sleep Health – Escondido Holistic Dentist Dr. Jeffry Kerbs Treats Both Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Sleep Health and Sleep Apnea Treatment with Escondido Holistic Dentist

Escondido dentist, Dr. Jeffry Kerbs, focuses on health and well being at his holistic dental practice. Treatments for sleep apnea and snoring are a large part of Dr. Kerbs dental practice. Dr. Kerbs focuses on the importance of sleep health and screens his patients for snoring and sleep apnea and seeks appropriate dental and medical attention when warranted.

Dr. Kerbs wants his patients to be aware of the importance of a good nights sleep. According to medical experts, a lack of healthy sleep can lead to severe health problems such as cancer, diabetes type II, heart disease, high blood pressure and obesity.

There are many things in our modern world that are affecting our sleep health. Dr. Kerbs knows the impact of healthy sleep and wants to be a resource for better health.

This is an article that speaks on the topic of healthy sleep:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2626981/The-great-sleep-gamble-Arrogance-ignoring-need-shut-eye-increase-risk-cancer-heart-disease-diabetes.html

We encourage our patients to visit our website for more information about our practice and the services that we provide. For more information on our treatment of sleep apnea and snoring please visit: http://www.drjkerbs.com/sleep-apnea-and-snoring.html

If you have any questions regarding sleep health and our holistic dental practice please call our Escondido dental office at 760-746-3663 and speak with one of our experienced dental team members, we are here to answer all of your questions and assist you in better health.

Read Full Post »

Escondido Dentist, Dr. Jeffry Kerbs, Treats Snoring and Sleep Apnea. Do You Know The Difference Between Snoring and Sleep Apnea?

Escondido Dentist, Dr. Jeffry Kerbs, Treats Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Escondido dentist, Dr. Jeffry Kerbs, treats both snoring and sleep apnea. Dr. Kerbs treats his patients with a simple oral appliance, a CPAP alternative. Snoring can be a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea, but not everyone who snores has sleep apnea. Snoring alone can be disruptive and a nuisance. Snoring plus sleep apnea can be life threatening.
Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep breathing disorder that temporarily causes breathing to be suspended during sleep. A physical obstruction happens in the airway which limits the amount of oxygen needed to reach the lungs. In the process of attempting to breathe again due to the obstruction, loud snoring or choking noises are heard.
The oxygen deprivation momentarily awakens a person from sleep. The cycle of waking and falling back to sleep is repeated a few times or hundreds of times throughout the night. The lack of oxygen can have long-term damaging effects such as the development of: high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, pre-diabetes, diabetes and depression.
The airway obstruction is actually collapsing tissue in the back of the throat. This can be a result of the muscles of the upper airway relaxing during sleep. In “back sleepers” gravity can sometimes cause the tongue to fall back and obstruct the airway as well. In both situations the airway is narrowed or completely obstructed.
Snoring happens when the extra tissue in the back of the throat vibrates during the flow of breathing which produces the sounds of snoring. It is estimated that about 50% of people snore at some point during their lives. Snoring can be hereditary and can increase as age advances. Occasional congestion from cold or allergies may also cause snoring.
Many people with sleep apnea suffer from issues of chronic fatigue, lack of concentration or focus. These are due to “unrestful” sleep resulting from the body unconsciously and repeatedly being awakened during the night because of the struggle for oxygen.
Dr. Kerbs treats snoring and/or sleep apnea with a comfortable oral appliance, a C-PAP alternative. This oral appliance helps his patients achieve restful sleep. If you are unsure if the snoring you hear from a loved one is sleep apnea, look for correlating indicators such as excessive daytime sleepiness, gasping during sleep, pauses in breathing, morning headaches, difficulty concentrating, moodiness, irritability or depression and possibly frequent trips to the bathroom at night.
Testing for a breathing disorder is critical to getting a loved one on the path of better health. If you or someone you know experiences any of the other symptoms or indicators that may suggest sleep apnea, please contact us immediately for help. Remember that while snoring is annoying, sleep apnea is life threatening. If you think that we can help, please call our Escondido dental office today at 760-746-3663.

Read Full Post »

Best Snoring and Sleep Apnea Treatment by Escondido Dentist Dr. Jeffry Kerbs

For years the standard of care for snoring and sleep apnea has been a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure device). Now, with the advancement of technology, the new standard of treatment for mild to moderate sleep apnea is the use of a dental oral appliance. Escondido dentist, Dr. Jeffry Kerbs, is a trained dental sleep doctor and is a recognized expert in OAT (oral appliance therapy). Dr. Kerbs uses the latest technology available to diagnose and treat his patients for sleep apnea and snoring. He uses a team based approach for his patients, working closely with a board certified sleep physician and his patients’ primary care physician for the best results.
Dr. Kerbs uses a pharyngometer and a rhinometer to measure and diagnose how collapsible the airway is. This information, along with a take home sleep test, allows Dr. Kerbs to accurately diagnose and treat mild to moderate sleep apnea. For our patients who are diagnosed with severe sleep apnea, a CPAP is the recommended treatment. However, in some cases patients wearing a CPAP find that they are unable to tolerate it. In this case, OAT is the next best care and proves to be highly affective in reducing sleep apnea episodes in the majority of cases.
Every patients’ case of sleep apnea is different and must be treatment planned correctly based on each diagnosis and need. Dr. Kerbs uses the leading and most advanced sleep appliances available for perfect fit, optimal comfort and success.
If you think you snore or may have sleep apnea, oral appliance therapy may be the answer for you. Dr. Kerbs’ treatment can help you get a better nights sleep and make you healthier because of it. Please call our Escondido dental office to make a free consultation appointment today. Our team is very knowledgeable about our sleep apnea treatments as well as medical insurance billing in order to maximize your benefits. Dr. Kerbs and our team are here to help. Call us today at: 760-746-3663.

Read Full Post »

Do You Snore? Snoring and Sleep Apnea Treatment with Escondido Dentist, Dr. Jeffry Kerbs

Do you or someone you know snore? Many people do not realize that snoring is the number one symptom for sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is when breathing completely or partially stops during sleep causing a lack of oxygen to the body. Escondido dentist, Dr. Jeffry Kerbs, treats both snoring and sleep apnea at his office. He utilizes the most current methods for diagnosing and treating snoring and sleep apnea by using sound waves through a rhinometer and pharyngometer to measure the airway and a simple take home sleep study to diagnose the level of snoring and sleep apnea that is occurring in a nights sleep. Our patients find that our process of diagnosis and treatment is simple, efficient and affective in getting the results they need to eliminate or significantly reduce snoring and sleep apnea.

WHAT CAN SNORING INDICATE?
Just about everyone snores occasionally – even a baby or a pet may snore. However, many times snoring can be a sign of a much bigger health problem.
Snoring can affect the quantity and the quality of your sleep. Consequently, inadequate sleep can lead to daytime fatigue, irritability, weight gain, memory loss, acid reflux, headaches, and other serious health ramifications. In addition, if your snoring is so loud that your bed partner can’t sleep, both of you are not achieving the proper sleep and rest at night.
If you snore regularly and experience any of the symptoms above, you may have sleep apnea. Untreated sleep apnea can wreak havoc on your overall health.

TREATMENT
Escondido dentist, Dr. Jeffry Kerbs, uses oral appliance therapy to treat his patients who suffer from snoring and sleep apnea. Oral appliance therapy is a mouth piece that is measured and fitted for each individual to reposition the jaw in a way that keeps the airway open while sleeping. Dr. Kerbs utilizes a pharyngometer to measure where each individuals jaw should be placed in order to achieve maximum comfort and maximum oxygen. This allows the body to relax, get adequate oxygen and not constantly gasp for air.

We have seen phenomenal results with our treatment of sleep apnea for our patients. Our patients sleeping better and feel rested upon waking. Most of our patients who have undergone treatment say that they had no idea how much better they could feel and now have no idea how they lived before on such inadequate sleep. They feel rejuvenated and are so thankful for their treatment. It goes beyond feeling great, our patients also tell us that their weight has improved, their acid reflux has diminished or completely gone away, and their physicians have told them that their blood pressure has improved and pre-diabetic patients or patients with adult onset diabetes have reported better insulin levels.

We feel very strongly about treating snoring and sleep apnea at Dr. Kerbs office. We have seen how oral appliance therapy has improved the lives of our patients and potentially saved a life by reducing/eliminating the health risks involved with sleep apnea. We want to help as many people as possible live better. If you or a loved one snores or you suspect that you or a loved one may suffer from sleep apnea, please give our Escondido dental office a call today 760-746-3663. We offer complimentary sleep health consultations and can bill medical insurance including medicare. We are here to answer all of your questions and look forward to hearing from you.

Read Full Post »

Escondido Sleep Apnea Dentist Discusses the 8 Factors that Increase the Risk of Sleep Apnea

Escondido dentist, Dr. Kerbs, treats patients suffering from snoring and sleep apnea everyday. Dr. Kerbs has effective ways of diagnosing sleep apnea and comfortable treatments for his patients. There is so much information out there about this disease and it is good to become familiar with some of the risk factors involved with sleep apnea. Knowledge is power!

Every day we gain new information indicating the aftereffects of untreated sleep apnea. The list ranges from diabetes and heart issues to the connection with cancer and even behavioral issues in children. This ongoing stream of data and research has provoked us to find a list of factors that increase the risk of sleep apnea. In this way we are better able to manage some of those risks, when possible.

Before diving into the list, let’s review the definition of sleep apnea to ensure that we are all on the same page. For the most part, there are three types of sleep apnea — central (happens in the brain), obstructive sleep apnea (most common), and mixed (both central and obstructive). Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat collapse, causing the airway to close.

Now that we share a common definition for sleep apnea, let’s talk about the risk factors to stay clear of how to reduce the risk for obstructive sleep apnea.

OBESITY
This is a big one. Did you know that obese adults are seven times more likely to develop obstructive sleep apnea than people of a normal weight range? This is because excess weight creates additional mass tissue in the airway, which constricts the diameter of the airway opening.

NECK CIRCUMFERENCE
Overly muscular individuals, commonly found in professional athletes who may not necessarily be obese, have a much thicker neck circumference than the rest of us. The thicker neck size works against the optimal airway opening circumference. This is similar to what happens in obese individuals, where the extra mass tissue located in the airway narrows the opening for air.
THE FACTS: There is a higher risk for developing obstructive sleep apnea in men that have a neck circumference greater than 17 inches and in women over 15 inches.

AGE
Even though this disease can attack every age group, including infants and children, it is more commonly found in older aged individuals. This is because as we age, we begin to lose tone and elasticity, including the soft tissue in our throats which makes it more likely for the airway to collapse.

FAMILY HISTORY
When it comes to obstructive sleep apnea, family history can play a huge roll. Certain physical characteristics, such as narrow jaw or a side profile indicating a lack of the correct chin to neck space ratio, may be indicators for an elevated risk for sleep apnea. In addition, if a family member has sleep apnea, you are also at a higher risk for being diagnosed with sleep apnea.

ALCOHOL USE
Whether you have sleep apnea or not, alcohol acts as a muscle relaxant and may lead to episodes of sleep apnea. In those individuals that do have sleep apnea, alcohol makes the apneic events longer, worsening the severity of sleep apnea throughout the night.

RACE
Studies show that both sleep apnea risk and sleep apnea severity vary by race. This may be due to anatomical differences in the airways of different ethnic groups and races.

SMOKING
Smokers are 2.5 times more likely to have sleep apnea, (2001 study). Smoking irritates airway tissues and causes swelling to occur, which ultimately restricts the opening of the airway.

GENDER
Middle-aged men are twice as likely to have obstructive sleep apnea as women the same age. The difference may be due to anatomical differences, especially since many times men are bigger than women. Please note that even though sleep apnea may be more prominent in men, it is also known to significantly impact women.

We hope that the above information is helpful. Unfortunately, sleep apnea is affecting more and more people with the escalating obesity numbers in our country. As a life threatening sleep breathing disorder, it needs to be addressed and understood by everyone. If you or a loved one thinks that you have sleep apnea, please call our Escondido office today for additional information on how we can help you. 760-746-3663

Read Full Post »

Complimentary Sleep Consultations with Escondido Dentist Dr. Jeffry Kerbs

There are millions of people who snore. Snoring, although very common, is not normal and has the ability to cause disruption in sleep cycles. This disruption can cause a whole list of serious health conditions: weight gain, high blood pressure, heart problems, heart attacks, lack of oxygen to the brain causing seizures, stroke, diabetes, cancer, sudden death.
Snoring is a sign that the airway is being compromised and collapsing. If you snore, it is important to find out if your airway is collapsible. At Dr. Kerbs Escondido dental office, we have the capability to test for this. We can check your airway in your nose as well as through your mouth with a simple test. This allows us to see how collapsible your airway is and if you may be at risk of having sleep apnea.
These simple tests along with our capability to do home sleep tests, allows us diagnose snoring and sleep apnea and help our patients get treatment. Our treatment is a custom fitted and custom adjusted mouth piece that repositions the jaw in a way that prevents the tissue in the airway from collapsing on itself. This can completely eliminate snoring and significantly reduce sleep apnea or completely eliminate sleep apnea all together.
The health benefits to eliminating sleep apnea are vast. Successfully treating sleep apnea can change your life and potentially save your life. If you have any questions about snoring or sleep apnea and how we at Dr. Kerbs office can help you, please call our Escondido dental office today at 760-746-3663. Your sleep consultation is free!

Read Full Post »