Understanding and Treating Sleep Apnea: A Dentist's Perspective

NEW ARTICLE: 💔 Will the Use of CPAP Reduce Heart Disease? ❤️ A patient with untreated obstructive sleep apnea has about two to three times greater risk of heart disease. i Of course, when treated, the prevalence of heart disease should logically decrease. BUT – this may not be the case. “CPAP machines are extremely effective in treating obstructive sleep apnea and are great for improving sleep and reducing daytime fatigue, but we haven’t seen a reduction in heart disease that we expected, and we haven’t understood why,” says Sanja Jelic, MD, a critical care medicine specialist and sleep researcher at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, in a release. READ: https://lnkd.in/eZ9cAgB6

Sharing our new publication, led by Ali Azarbarzin, identifying which patients with heart failure (HF) benefit most from treatment of their central sleep apnea using phrenic nerve stimulation. The study showed that people whose central sleep apnea (CSA) caused large surges in heart rate at baseline, later went on to have an 8-percentage point greater improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction with CSA treatment than those with small heart rate surges, over the 6-month trial. Article: https://lnkd.in/efFUv5Nj Longer-term observational data also showed consistent findings: over 12 months, those with larger CSA-induced heart rate surges experienced early and sustained heart function benefit long term that was not seen with lower heart rate surge patients. The work promises to enable future clinical prediction: i.e. selected patients with HF and CSA treated specifically to improve cardiac outcomes. Also, CSA — like OSA — now appears uniquely problematic when it provokes heart rate surges, but may not be harmful to the heart otherwise. OSA link: https://lnkd.in/eVmWubAg Thanks to our colleagues Robin Germany and Scott McKane at Zoll Respicardia for the excellent data and fruitful collaboration.

📣 New research showing that HF patients with CSA who experience large heart rate surges benefit most from treatment with phrenic nerve stimulation - with greater improvements in heart function sustained over 12 months. The ZOLL Respicardia remedē® System is the only FDA-approved therapy for moderate-to-severe CSA in adults, offering a proven treatment option for these patients. 📄 Read more: https://lnkd.in/efFUv5Nj Robin Germany Jason Vinson

Obstructive sleep apnea affects nearly 30 million Americans, and an estimated 80% of cases remain undiagnosed 📈 The impact goes far beyond poor sleep and OSA is linked to high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and reduced quality of life. This situation represents both a clinical responsibility and an opportunity for dental practitioners and sleep clinics. Dentists see patients more regularly than most physicians, making them well-positioned to screen for symptoms early. Meanwhile, sleep clinics can also partner with dental providers to ensure patients who can’t tolerate CPAP still receive effective care. The need is massive, and the role of dentistry in sleep health has never been more important. Bring sleep solutions into your practice today: https://lnkd.in/eECRgsDv #SleepClinicTexas #Dentistry #SleepHealth #DentalSleep #DentalPractitioner #HealthPractitioner #OSA #CPAPAlternative #SleepApnea #SleepMedicine

OSA already affects nearly 30 million Americans, with 80% of cases undiagnosed, a serious public health burden today. New research from The Lancet projects that by 2050, OSA could impact 77M U.S. adults... A 35% increase, affecting almost half of adults aged 30–69. The need for early detection and accessible treatment has never been greater #SleepApnea #SleepHealth #OSA #PublicHealth #DigitalHealth #SleepMedicine #CPAPAlternative #HealthInnovation #OralApplianceTherapy #PatientCare

Residual sleepiness in treated OSA patients : A Clinical Challenge Excessive daytime sleepiness (#EDS) affects approximately 60% of patients with obstructive sleep apnea (#OSA).1 Even after treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (#CPAP), around 13% of patients experience residual EDS (rEDS).2 Findings highlight two key factors involved in rEDS in CPAP-treated OSA patients: 1 🔹 Residual hypoxic burden due to intermittent hypoxia is associated with an impairment of objective alertness, evaluated in this study by the Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT). 🔹 Residual arousal index is linked to subjective residual sleepiness, assessed by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Results suggest that repeated hypoxia/reoxygenation cycles and micro-arousals may induce neuronal damage and subsequently residual hypersomnolence. rEDS can lead to adverse consequences, especially for regularly driving patients. Identifying and addressing rEDS are essential for improving alertness, public safety, and patient quality of life. Still feeling sleepy despite CPAP therapy ? Consult your healthcare provider for targeted management.

😬 Many people think nighttime teeth grinding is caused by stress alone. But in dentistry and sleep medicine, we understand there’s often a deeper connection. For many patients, bruxism (teeth grinding) is actually the body’s response to a blocked airway during sleep. The jaw tightens, teeth clench, and the body fights to reopen the airway. The consequences go far beyond worn-down enamel. Over time, sleep-related breathing issues can affect cardiovascular health, cognitive function, and overall well-being. That’s why, at A-Z Dental Art Studio in Glen Allen, VA, we look beyond quick fixes. Night guards may protect the teeth—but they don’t always address the root cause. We’re preparing to expand our care to include advanced, non-invasive solutions for sleep apnea and airway concerns. Our philosophy is simple: oral health is whole-body health. A healthier smile is inseparable from healthier sleep, and healthier sleep impacts everything from energy levels to long-term systemic wellness. 💡 This raises an important conversation in dentistry: How often are we, as providers, screening patients with bruxism for possible airway issues? What role can general dentists play in bridging the gap between oral health and sleep medicine? How do we communicate the whole-body impact of oral conditions in a way that empowers patients to take action? At A-Z, our commitment is not only to restore smiles—but also to advocate for patients’ long-term health through compassionate, comprehensive care. 💙 📍 Serving Glen Allen, Richmond, and the greater Virginia community 📞 (804) 767-2507 | https://lnkd.in/ekxcBNBt 👉 For colleagues: How is your practice addressing the oral-systemic link when it comes to sleep and airway health? #DentalSleepMedicine #OralSystemicHealth #SleepApneaAwareness #HealthcareLeadership #PatientExperience #DentalInnovation #HeartCenteredDentistry #GlenAllenVA #RichmondVA

Patients expect more than treatment. That’s why creating a patient-centered workflow is essential in dental sleep medicine. Swipe through to learn why a patient-centered workflow matters. Learn about the practical steps to build your own workflow: https://lnkd.in/ghZA6tRR #DentalSleep #CaseManagement #SleepApnea #SleepApneaTreatment 

“Projections indicate that obstructive sleep apnoea will affect 76·6 million adults aged 30–69 years across the USA in 2050, with a disproportionate growth among females compared with males. These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted public health strategies and revised access to diagnosis and follow-up pathways to address the growing prevalence of obstructive sleep apnoea, particularly among females.” #osa #patientawareness #hughlyprevalent #femalerisk #snoring #daytimesleepiness #askyourdoctor #morningleaves

Sleep therapy adherence matters - for the heart. “In the real world, not just in clinical trials, the [CPAP] therapy does make a difference in patient lives,” says study co-investigator Kimberly Sterling, vice president, medical affairs at Resmed. “And there is this opportunity for the healthcare system to derive cost savings from the use of [C]PAP therapy.” Sleep Review just covered recent real-world evidence presented at #SLEEP2025 showing that adults with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who consistently use CPAP have fewer cardiovascular ER visits and hospitalizations - and lower related costs - than those who don’t. What the data showed (retrospective cohort; n = 377,830; 2015–2021): ✅ 22% lower risk of cardiovascular-related ER visits or hospitalizations among adherent users vs nonadherent users. ✅Observed benefits were dose-responsive: even intermediate adherence reduced events and costs. ✅In the two years after a CPAP prescription, event rates were lower for adherent patients (e.g., ER visits 2.91 vs 3.70; hospitalizations 1.53 vs 2.09; composite 4.09 vs 5.22, adherent vs nonadherent). This aligns with a growing body of evidence that CPAP adherence can reduce cardiovascular risk and healthcare utilization when patients receive the right support to start and stay on therapy. I’m grateful to the investigators and partners advancing rigorous, real-world sleep science - and to #SleepReview for bringing these findings to clinicians and patients. 👉 Read the coverage: Sleep Review — “CPAP Adherence Tied to Fewer Cardiovascular ER Visits, Hospitalizations.” https://lnkd.in/gNcGGTip Fatima Sert Kuniyoshi, PhD Kate Cole Caleb Woodford Naomi Alpert Will McConnell #SleepHealth #OSA #CPAP #CardiovascularHealth #HEOR #ClinicalResearch