What is the Full Breath Solution?

Answer: It is a customized program that involves selecting, fitting and customizing the exact appliance to your mouth and airway, while monitoring your many results, which could include snoring, tiredness, oxygen levels, number apneic events or airway blockages per hour , body weight, restfulness in the morning, need for naps through out the day, facial pain, grinding, medication changes, resting blood pressure, pulse, ability to exercise, general well-being, etc.

What is the difference between Snoring and Sleep Apnea?

Answer: When one enters the deeper levels of sleep needed to rest a person and heal a body, the muscles of the body relax. The tongue is a muscle and relaxes, too. When it does this it falls back over the airway and throat tissues. The partial coverage causes snoring and the full coverage of 10 seconds or more is called sleep apnea.

How do I know if I have Sleep Apnea or just a bad snoring problem?

Answer: While there are many people who know they snore and have the symptoms of a sleeping disorder there is only one accurate way to be certain one has a sleeping disorder. This is test that is performed in a “Sleep Lab” or a “Sleep Center”. It is called a PolySomnoGraph or a PSG for short. Many folks will simply call this a sleep test, but that can be misleading, because there are some other types of sleep test available these days.

Exactly is a PolySomnoGraph or a PSG?

Answer: It is an elaborate test that measures valuable data about the quality of sleep a patient gets. This results of this test are studied by a Sleep Physician who then makes a diagnosis and a recommendation for the patient. The test results are usually then forwarded to the doctor that referred the patient to the Sleep Center.

Can I get a copy of my PolySomnoGraph or a PSG?

Answer: Yes. If you have had a PSG we suggest that the patient get a copy and bring it with them to their consultation with us. We will study the results and go over the content of the repoirt with you, if you desire this. We believe that the patient should understand the basics of this report, so they can better choose the right treatment for themselves

If I already know I snore and feel lousy, why would I need a PSG and diagnosis?

Answer: The diagnosis is necessary for many reasons.

• The first, and most valuable reason, is that the highly trained Sleep Physician who has studied your results is the only person capable of making this diagnosis. He or she has special training and is able to look at what is called the “raw data” from your test results.
• The second reason is that most qualified professionals will not treat a patient without a clear understanding of exactly what is wrong with a patient’s sleep. This means a PSG and diagnosis is mandatory for most professionals.
• Also, a third factor that can be significant to the patient, is the fact that most major medical insurance providers require a PSG and diagnosis before evaluating and granting benefits to the patient.

My doctor and dentist mentioned a “Split Study”. What does this mean?

Answer: When the physician or dentist refers his or her patient to the Sleep Center they may request what is called a “Split Study” or a “Split Sleep Study”. This tells the technician that is monitoring patients, that if you are found to have Sleep Apnea they are to fit you with a breathing machine during the night to see if it will help you with your Sleep Apnea.

What exactly is this breathing machine that has been recommended to me and many others who have Sleep Apnea?

Answer: It is a machine called Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, or CPAP for short. It blows air through a fitted face mask that is sealed so the air can be forced down the throat with enough pressure to push the tongue out of the way. The FBS appliance is fitted to the mouth and customized with a bar that sits across the tongue to inhibit it from falling and blocking the airway.

Why would a “Split Study” be requested?

Answer: When one has been diagnosed with Sleep Apnea

What does the PSG tell me?

Answer: There are several measurements that are used to diagnose and measure Obstructive Sleep Apnea. A Sleep Physician specializing in this area of medicine can extract many details from a sleep study. The ones most often used to measure sleep problems are these three points.

Amount of Airway Blockage: AHI
Amount of Deep Sleep Achieved: REM Sleep percentage
Amount of Oxygenation : Percentage during sleep

I am told that I have mixed apnea. Will your solution work for me?

Answer: Mixed apnea means that you were diagnosed with both forms of sleep apnea, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Central Sleep Apnea (CSA). OSA is the result of the tongue and soft palate blocking the airway, which is what the FBS is used for. Central Sleep Apnea is the result of the body failing to breathe. With Central Sleep Apnea, the airway is not blocked, but instead the brain fails to signal the muscles to breathe. The CPAP is still the solution of choice for CSA, as well. The FBS is used when an individual is CPAP Intolerant and has Obstructive Sleep Apnea or Mixed Sleep Apnea. This is something to be discussed with the doctor after an examination is performed.

What does REM sleep have to do with Sleep Apnea?

Answer: A healthy individual enters the deep levels of sleep referred to as REM sleep at various times through the night. REM stands for Rapid Eye Movement, which occurs in this deep sleep where dreaming, body repair and rejuvenation occur. For these functions to occur, it appears the body shut many other systems down and the muscles of the body relax. The tongue is a muscle and relaxes, too. When it does this it falls back over the airway and throat tissues. The partial coverage causes snoring and the full coverage of 10 seconds or more is called sleep apnea. Most Sleep Apnea patients suffer because of the lack of this quality of sleep. It is not uncommon for a patient using The FBS program to announce they are dreaming again, after years of not having done so. While this is not a medical indicator of success, many patients are pleased since it accompanies other favorable changes in their symptoms.

If I snore does that mean I have sleep apnea?

Answer: Not necessarily, but snoring occurs with most patients that suffer from Sleep Apnea. If you snore and have Sleep Apnea symptoms you should see the doctor and discuss being tested for this.

Will this treatment replace my CPAP machine?

Answer: No. If you have severe Sleep Apnea and can wear a CPAP, we will encourage you to remain on the CPAP. Our solution is for snorers, mild and moderate Sleep apnea patients and for those severe cases that cannot tolerate the CPAP.

I was told that the tissue in my throat (my uvula, my tonsils, my sinuses) is causing my Sleep Apnea. Is this true?

Answer: For years there was speculation as to what caused this condition. There were theories that it was caused by enlarged uvulas, oversized tonsils and adenoids, swollen tissues, sinus inflammation, deviated septums, airway tissue fat and many others. More recently, it was found that in sleep the tongue rolls back and partially or fully blocks the airway over the airway causing the soft palate to vibrate creating the sound of snoring or covering the airway completely interrupting breathing.

What is the difference between your mouthpiece and the others on the market?

Answer: About 7 years ago Dr. Bryan Keropian discovered that in sleep the tongue rolls up and then back blocking the airway. He invented a series of new tongue restraining appliances, similar to dental retainers, that are custom made to actually addressed the tongue, rather than relying on repositioning the jaw. That is the major difference between The Full Breath Appliance and almost all other appliances. Another difference is that the FBS appliance is a single-arched appliance, where most others are double-arched. Lastly, the treatment provided by the Center for Snoring and CPAP Intolerance is not just the placement of a mouthpiece. The center provides a professional program that uses a custom designed device with a professional program tailored to the patient and his or her needs.

I have worn another sleep dental appliance, but it did not work. Will I have the same problem with your appliance?

Answer: That is hard to say without knowing what you experienced. Our appliances are very different from the earlier types of mouthpieces. Patients report that the FBS appliance is comfortable and small. We do not rely on opening and moving the jaw forward, which means we can greatly reduce some of the side effects experienced by some patients and address the real problem…the tongue. While it is unlikely, if you are not a candidate for our mouthpiece we will be able to determine that quickly. Our doctors are honest and will tell you up front if they believe they cannot help you.

How does my weight affect Sleep Apnea? If I do loose weight will the mouthpiece still work?

Answer: Weight loss is the single biggest factor associated with Sleep Apnea and for that it is one of the most recommended solutions for treating Sleep Apnea. When one is heavy, the tongue does not need to fall back as far to partially or fully block the airway. When the patient looses weight, this reduces the burden on the body and lessens the blockage. The mouthpiece can be modified, as needed, when the patient’s airway changes based on weight changes. Usually, the more weight that is lost the better all medical treatment proceeds.

Is there a relationship between the FBS and weight loss?

Answer: Most Sleep Apnea patients that are over weight know it. While they have been told to loose weight and would really like to do so, it is hard to do when they are chronically fatigued. Because the Sleep Apnea patient wakes up tired and often worsens as the day progresses, these patients find it difficult to exercise. To push pass this with Sleep Apnea symptoms is rare. However, once the airway is opened and the tongue is prevented from blocking the airway, the patient starts getting more oxygen, sleep and energy. As this repair develops the patient will find it easier to resume more normal activity and will find it easier to incorporate exercise in to the daily routine.

When is the appliance worn?

Answer: The FBS mouthpiece is usually worn at night only, assuming you sleep at night. But, it can be worn whenever you are going to try to fall into a deep sleep, or concerned that you may nod off and disrupt others with your snoring (movie theatre, on an airplane, etc.)

What if I am a mouth breather?

Answer: The FBS mouthpiece is designed to allow nasal or mouth breathing. Once of the successful aspects of this design is that you can wear this mouthpiece when you have a cold, are congested, or have a habit of breathing through your mouth.

What if I am going through orthodontic treatment (conventional or invisaline)?

Answer: If you are mid treatment to straighten your teeth, you will be encouraged to complete that action first. The only exception to this is when your doctor suggests the treatment of sleep apnea is a priority over orthodontics. That should be discussed with your sleep specialist.

I am currently wearing a TMJ or grinding appliance, can I still be treated?

Answer: Yes. In fact, many patients suffering from sleep disorders grind their teeth. The FBS mouthpiece that is worn every night will replace the need for an evening appliance.

What if I have loose teeth? Can I be treated with the FBS?

Answer: Yes, usually you can be treated. But, as with any therapy that involves a mouthpiece, it may require special care to ensure that the causes of the looseness or disease are handled. All dental mouthpieces can create pressure on teeth, which is normal when the teeth are healthy and stable.

What guarantee is there that this treatment will work for me?

Answer: Like any treatment in medicine that involves the function or healing of a body, there are no guarantees. The doctors in our group will work very hard with any patient that is determined to get better and do the best job possible, using all the tools available.

How successful is this treatment?

Answer: The treatment program is 100% effective in eliminating snoring. In our trials for the FDA we reduced Sleep Apnea blockages 76%. This percentage varies and has been higher and lower depending on the patient and their anatomy. This is something to be discussed with the doctor after an examination is performed.

How long does this treatment take?

Answer: This treatment can be completed quickly in some instances, where we have the needed sleep test and the patient can start treatment quickly and return regularly, while we customize the mouthpiece to the patients mouth. The length of treatment is variable from patient to patient. This is something to be discussed with the doctor after an examination is performed.

How many visits does this treatment take?

Answer: The length of treatment is variable from patient to patient. This is something to be discussed with the doctor after an examination is performed.

If I cannot wear my CPAP will I have the same problem with a dental appliance?

Answer: Not necessarily. The CPAP and the FBS mouthpiece both address the tongue, but in very different ways. The CPAP, or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, blows air through a fitted face mask that is sealed so the air can be forced down the throat with enough pressure to push the tongue out of the way. The FBS appliance is fitted to the mouth and customized with a bar that sits across the tongue to inhibit it from falling and blocking the airway.

I have heard that a dental appliance can increase salivation. Is that true?

Answer: Yes, dental appliances can trigger salivation. That’s because usually the body perceives when you put an object in the mouth that it is food. Since saliva is the start of the digestive process, some patients experience increased salivation. For those who do experience this, it usually decreases rapidly, as the patient adjusts to the mouthpiece.

Can this solution work for someone missing teeth?

Answer: Yes it can. It is best to fit it over natural teeth, even if some of the teeth are missing. It is not recommended to place the appliance over dentures, unless no other option is available. This is something to be discussed with the doctor after an examination is performed.

What does the Consultation include and what is the cost?

Answer: The examination and comprehensive consultation is normally $50.00, but for a limited time we are offering it completely FREE. The consultation includes a thorough review of your medical history, a review of your sleep study (if you have had one), an evaluation of a three part sonogram (sound wave) test, and an intra-oral exam.

Will I need surgery with your program?

Answer: No, our program is a non-surgical approach to dealing with snoring and Sleep Apnea. However, there are instances when surgical treatment may be needed. If this is the case, our doctors will discuss this with you and help you determine how to explore this further.

I have heard there are surgeries that might resolve my problem? What are these and can they be done along with The FBS?

Answer: We do not provide surgical services; our program is a non-surgical approach to dealing with snoring and Sleep Apnea. There are many types of surgery that are recommended, but not all have favorable results or solve the initial problem. An example would be a patient suffering from Obstructive Sleep Apnea, which would continue despite surgery for a deviated septum. While the patient may breathe better by day because of the cleared nasal passage, his or her tongue will still obstruct the throat at night, as seen with Sleep Apnea. As a result, many patients seek our services because their health problems have persisted despite surgery. We can still work with these patients usually. This is something the patient can speak with the doctor about at the consultation appointment.

What are Pillar Implants and if I have had them will they interfere with my success with The FB Solution?

Answer: The Pillar Implant consists of three polyester implants that are surgically placed into the soft palate. Over time the implants and scar tissue stiffen the soft palate and are believed to reduce the flutter of the uvula. This is something the patient can speak with the doctor about at the consultation appointment.

What if I have already had surgery, will this affect my success with The FBS program?

Answer: Our program is a non-surgical approach to dealing with snoring and Sleep Apnea, but we have treated many patients that seek our help after surgical efforts have been made. Because there are many types of surgery that can be tried to resolve Obstructive Sleep Apnea, few address the tongue, so it will continue to obstruct the throat at night, as seen with Sleep Apnea. Many patients will have gained some relief of the vAs a result, many patients seek our services because their health problems have persisted despite surgery. We can still work with these patients usually. This is something the patient can speak with the doctor about at the consultation appointment.