ALTERNATIVES AND OPPORTUNITY: ORAL APPLIANCES AND CPAP

Oral Appliances and CPAP

HERE’S THE MAYBE NOT-SO-NEWS…oral appliances are excellent, effective, patient-friendly alternatives to CPAP when it comes to treating mild to moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)  For those who struggle with CPAP compliance, it is perhaps the best alternative.

Custom devices reposition the jaw and tongue to keep the airway open, improving sleep, reducing daytime sleepiness, and elevating quality of life—often with higher adherence than CPAP and fewer side effects.   Read More 

THE DENTAL LAB YOUR PRACTICE NEEDS, THE PRECISION PERFORMANCE YOUR PATIENTS TRUST

matrix bands and Panthera

SML is committed to supporting clinicians with the most up-to-date, needs-responsive orthodontic and pediatric product selection available. Each product is carefully vetted for quality; fully compatible with our appliances; designed to deliver optimal clinical outcomes and enduring patient satisfaction.

AN IDEAL RESTORATIVE SOLUTION: ONE STEP MATRIX BANDS

Pediatric and Adult

• Simple, fast, anOne Step Matrix Bandsd affordable

• Moldable material for precise contacts

• 15 sizes available (Pediatric & Adult)

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THE SCIENCE OF SNORING: MORE THAN JUST A LOT OF NOISE

The science of snoring and the solutions

If a patient snores are they really getting a good night’s sleep? As a dental practitioner or hygienist, you know the answer: Probably not. Snoring is likely a red flag for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). There may be other warning signs that the patient displays, which could help you determine if it could be an OSA problem. 

Dentists or hygienists often see the oral signs first:

• Tooth wear or grinding (bruxism)

• Scalloped tongue or high palate  

• Crowded teeth or narrow arches  

• Jaw pain or TMJ issues

These clues may point to a compromised airway during sleep –which can result in the patient feeling tired, headachy foggy, and at risk for far more serious health issues like hypertension, heart conditions and stroke.

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OSA: DETECTION, DIRECTION AND STREAMLINING

Let’s begin by getting right to the point…   OSA detection

SIGNS YOUR PATIENT MAY HAVE SLEEP APNEA (OSA)”

• Persistent jaw pain or TMJ issues

• Severe tooth wear or evidence of bruxism

• Scalloped tongue or enlarged tonsils

• Narrow arches or crowded teeth

• High palate or restricted airway space

The bottom line? You, the dentist, can and should often play a critical role in the early detection, airway stabilization and oral appliance therapy for OSA. And SML can help you streamline your cases and optimize your practice.

YOUR PARTNERS IN EXCELLENCE

Our SML Digital Portal (HIPAA-compliant and secure) makes it easy for you to submit patient case files for diagnostic support and/or direction.

Our expert team of staff and technicians partners with you to provide:

• Assistance with consultations and diagnoses

• Treatment planning guidance and facilitation

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BREATHE BETTER. SLEEP BETTER. LIVE BETTER: THAT’S A PROMISE YOU CAN KEEP

As a dental practitioner, you’re aware of the clinical importance and critical health implications of maintaining an open airway for your patients. Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea are serious business…and it’s your business to provide your patients with the promise of a safe, effective solution to blocked airway issues.

Oral Appliances: The Clinical Advantage

Oral appliances are non-invasive, reversible, easy to wear and a are a significantly more comfortable alternative for those unable to tolerate the more traditional CPAP approach. The big plus oral appliances are customizable to fit each individual patient.

SML has an extensive lineup of oral appliances that will help you deliver on the promise of better breathing, better sleep, and a better life for your patients.

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FOR A BETTER AIRWAY… AND A THRIVING PRACTICE.

treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

New discoveries and diagnostic modalities in the treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) are changing the way we all look at dentistry. You, the dentist, are in a unique position to help detect and stabilize the airway and successfully treat OSA via the use of oral appliances.

The good news? Non-invasive, affordable and easy to adjust, oral appliances are fast becoming the first line treatment of choice for patients who cannot tolerate CPAP… and for forward-thinking dentists who are looking to provide a more patient-compliant solution when it comes to airway therapy. 

OSA: The Big Picture

When soft tissues in the throat collapse during sleep, blocking the airway and causing breathing to repeatedly stop and start, oxygen intake is severely impacted. This can lead to loud snoring, morning headaches, daytime fatigue. More seriously, it can trigger high blood pressure and increase the risk of heart problems or stroke.  Read More 

TAKING THE LEAD ON OSA: DETECTION AND TREATMENT

Snoring might just be the warning sign… 

Many patients simply don’t realize that their snoring, morning headaches or persistent low energy level could be symptomatic of something far more serious -- like Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

Left untreated, OSA can trigger oxygen drops during sleep that contribute to:

• Daytime fatigue

• Decreased immunity

• Hypertension

• Increased risk for cardiac events and possible stroke

TREAT OSA WITHOUT DISRUPTING ALIGNER THERAPY: It’s As Easy As ASA 

The ASA (Aligner Sleep Appliance®) affords dental practitioners the          opportunity to accomplish two important treatment goals simultaneously. Worn over clear aligners at night to gently reposition the lower jaw and help reduce snoring and mild-to-moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnea in adults, it also allows helps to support ongoing orthodontic treatment.

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FOR A BETTER AIRWAY: EXPANSION & OSA SOLUTIONS

On The Subject of Adult Dental Expansion…

with kids, expanding the airway is often about correcting crossbites or excessive overjets. With adults, its frequently a matter of reclaiming space, uprighting molars and rounding out arches.

Every case has a solution – if you understand the indications. Arch development appliances must be tailored to the patient’s age, condition and skeletal framework. And it’s all about airway.

OSA: It’s Serious

Obstructive Sleep Disorder occurs when the soft tissues in the throat collapse during sleep, blocking the airway and causing breathing to repeatedly stop and start. Oxygen intake is severely impacted…and these episodes can happen dozens – even hundreds of times a night, leading to:

• Loud snoring

• Morning headaches

• Daytime fatigue

• High blood pressure

• Increased risk of heart problems or stroke

Better Breathing, Better Sleep.

The sobering fact here is that many patients don’t even realize they suffer from a compromised airway or OSA. You, the dentist, are in a unique position to help detect and stabilize the airway and successful treat OSA via the use of oral appliances.

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2025-2026 Dental Sleep Medicine and TMD Mini Residency is BACK!

Course Cohort Dates

September 26 - 27, 2025  |  November 14-15, 2025

January 23 - 24, 2026  |  April 24-25, 2026

An unparalleled hybrid program focused on treating maxillofacial discrepancies, malocclusion, masticatory-temporomandibular joint disorders, and dental sleep medicine for pediatrics and adults.

This unique one-of-a-kind hybrid program is exclusive to only 8 participants who are serious about taking the next step in their sleep medicine career. This limited capacity allows for a focused learning environment where participants will be actively engaged with hands-on learning modules.

This is the only mini-residency program that simultaneously addresses TMD and Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders (SRBD) simultaneously for pediatrics and adults utilizing proprietary and proven technologies and treatment philosophies taught by Dr. Joseph Yousefian.

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MASTERING ARCH EXPANSION: Tips For Techs & Clinicians

arch development

ARCH DEVELOPMENT IS NOT A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL PROPOSITION…

Whether you’re treating crossbites in kids or aligning narrow adult arches, selecting just the right appliance can make all the difference between total success and “not-so.”

Removable or fixed? Lateral or AP?  Relieving anterior crowding? Developing underdeveloped pre-maxillas?

Proper planning yields predictable results. And SML is proud to offer innovative solutions – today and every day – in support of the dental community.

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