B. Saib, DDS
400 Market St, Suite 220
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 933-3388 Phone
(919) 933-3008 Fax
400 Market St, Suite 220
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 933-3388 Phone
(919) 933-3008 Fax
| FAQ |
Q: What is Sleep Apnea?
A: Sleep Apnea means "not oxygenating during
sleep." there are two types of sleep apneas; one is
central apnea which is caused by the brain not
telling the lungs to breath, the other is obstructive
sleep apnea which is caused by an obstruction in
the airway casing the apnea.
A: Sleep Apnea means "not oxygenating during
sleep." there are two types of sleep apneas; one is
central apnea which is caused by the brain not
telling the lungs to breath, the other is obstructive
sleep apnea which is caused by an obstruction in
the airway casing the apnea.
Q: What is an "Oral Airway Device/Appliance?
A: an Oral Airway Device is a retainer like device made by a dentist working in
conjunction with a sleep specialist to help open the airway of someone who has
obstructive sleep apnea. The device uses the teeth to move the lower jaw forward to
open space in the throat for air to pass more normally and not causing the person to
wake up gasping for air.
A: an Oral Airway Device is a retainer like device made by a dentist working in
conjunction with a sleep specialist to help open the airway of someone who has
obstructive sleep apnea. The device uses the teeth to move the lower jaw forward to
open space in the throat for air to pass more normally and not causing the person to
wake up gasping for air.
Q: What is an Oral Airway Device made of?
A: all oral airway devices are made of a combination of plastics, rubber, and most
contain small amounts of metal alloys. The parts that fit over the teeth are plastic and
rubber. The parts that move the jaw forward are made of metal (most cases). In our
office we mostly use the TAP 3 device which does have both alloy, plastic, and rubber.
The alloy in the TAP 3 have no Nickel and the plastics have no latex.
A: all oral airway devices are made of a combination of plastics, rubber, and most
contain small amounts of metal alloys. The parts that fit over the teeth are plastic and
rubber. The parts that move the jaw forward are made of metal (most cases). In our
office we mostly use the TAP 3 device which does have both alloy, plastic, and rubber.
The alloy in the TAP 3 have no Nickel and the plastics have no latex.
Q: Are Oral Airway appliances comfortable?
A: Oral Airway Appliances feel as comfortable as most orthodontic retainers. They are
designed to be tight on the teeth to make sure they do not fall out during sleep. After
wearing them for a few minutes they feel comfortable, After the first night or two, they
become so comfortable that most people never want to use the CPAP again. In short,
they do not hurt and are much less cumbersome than CPAP machines.
A: Oral Airway Appliances feel as comfortable as most orthodontic retainers. They are
designed to be tight on the teeth to make sure they do not fall out during sleep. After
wearing them for a few minutes they feel comfortable, After the first night or two, they
become so comfortable that most people never want to use the CPAP again. In short,
they do not hurt and are much less cumbersome than CPAP machines.
Q: How is Sleep Apnea treated?
A: There are two main methods to treat sleep apnea.
One is by using devices the other is by using
surgical techniques. Current Devices that open the
obstruction in the airway are either a CPAP Machine which forces air into the lungs and
the other is to move the lower jaw forward to open the space in the throat for air to pass
easily and naturally without forced air (Oral Airway Appliances use this technique).
Various surgical procedures that make room in the throat for air to move through are
palate shortening, soft palate implant placements, tonsils and adenoid removals and
finally a tracheotomy (a surgical opening in the neck to avoid the mouth and nose all
together.
A: There are two main methods to treat sleep apnea.
One is by using devices the other is by using
surgical techniques. Current Devices that open the
obstruction in the airway are either a CPAP Machine which forces air into the lungs and
the other is to move the lower jaw forward to open the space in the throat for air to pass
easily and naturally without forced air (Oral Airway Appliances use this technique).
Various surgical procedures that make room in the throat for air to move through are
palate shortening, soft palate implant placements, tonsils and adenoid removals and
finally a tracheotomy (a surgical opening in the neck to avoid the mouth and nose all
together.
Q: What is the success rate of TAP 3?
A: Success rate depends on the severity of your Apnea. Mild cases have 90+ success,
Moderate 80+%, sever has around 50+%. According to research, for mild and
moderate cases, Oral Airway Appliances are just as effective as CPAP. For severe
cases they are not. However, we see many clients who cannot wear a CPAP due to
various reasons. For severe cases an Oral Airway is still indicated as a improvement of
sleep instead of treatment.
A: Success rate depends on the severity of your Apnea. Mild cases have 90+ success,
Moderate 80+%, sever has around 50+%. According to research, for mild and
moderate cases, Oral Airway Appliances are just as effective as CPAP. For severe
cases they are not. However, we see many clients who cannot wear a CPAP due to
various reasons. For severe cases an Oral Airway is still indicated as a improvement of
sleep instead of treatment.
Q: How much does a TAP 3 Appliance cost?
A: This is a tricky question because one is not buying a factory made device. TAP 3s
and all other FDA approved devices are custom made by prescription from the dentist.
They have to be titrated (calibrated) over time for maximum effectiveness and comfort.
The cost for the TAP 3 is $985. The only other fees are consultation visit ($95) and
four visits during the first year to titrate the function ($85 per visit). The total cost of the
appliance and all of the needed visits for a year, it would be less than a quality denture.
A: This is a tricky question because one is not buying a factory made device. TAP 3s
and all other FDA approved devices are custom made by prescription from the dentist.
They have to be titrated (calibrated) over time for maximum effectiveness and comfort.
The cost for the TAP 3 is $985. The only other fees are consultation visit ($95) and
four visits during the first year to titrate the function ($85 per visit). The total cost of the
appliance and all of the needed visits for a year, it would be less than a quality denture.
Q: How long does the TAP 3 last?
A: Most TAP 3 Appliances last 3-5 years. Some have been known to last up to 7 years.
Insurance will reimburse for them on average every two years.
A: Most TAP 3 Appliances last 3-5 years. Some have been known to last up to 7 years.
Insurance will reimburse for them on average every two years.
Q: Do I need to see the doctor & dentist after I have the appliance placed?
A: Yes, once we fit the appliance and we titrate it to optimal levels, we will send you
back to your sleep specialist for follow up and evaluation. You will need to see US or
any other Dental Sleep Specialist once per year for a nominal cost of less than $100
each.
A: Yes, once we fit the appliance and we titrate it to optimal levels, we will send you
back to your sleep specialist for follow up and evaluation. You will need to see US or
any other Dental Sleep Specialist once per year for a nominal cost of less than $100
each.
Q: Do oral airway appliances have side effects?
A: Published studies show that short-term side effects of oral appliance use may
include excessive salivation, difficulty swallowing (with appliance in place), sore jaws,
sore teeth, jaw joint pain, dry mouth, gum pain, loosening of teeth and short-term bite
changes (how the upper and lower teeth come together). There are also reports of
dislodgement of ill-fitting dental restorations.
Most of these side effects are minor and resolve quickly on their own or with minor
adjustment of the appliance. Long-term complications include bite changes that may
be permanent resulting from tooth movement or jaw joint repositioning. These
complications may or may not be fully reversible once appliance therapy is
discontinued. If not, restorative treatment or orthodontic intervention may be required
for which you will be responsible.
CPAP masks have also been known to move teeth and change bites due to constant
pressure on lips, teeth and jaws.
A: Published studies show that short-term side effects of oral appliance use may
include excessive salivation, difficulty swallowing (with appliance in place), sore jaws,
sore teeth, jaw joint pain, dry mouth, gum pain, loosening of teeth and short-term bite
changes (how the upper and lower teeth come together). There are also reports of
dislodgement of ill-fitting dental restorations.
Most of these side effects are minor and resolve quickly on their own or with minor
adjustment of the appliance. Long-term complications include bite changes that may
be permanent resulting from tooth movement or jaw joint repositioning. These
complications may or may not be fully reversible once appliance therapy is
discontinued. If not, restorative treatment or orthodontic intervention may be required
for which you will be responsible.
CPAP masks have also been known to move teeth and change bites due to constant
pressure on lips, teeth and jaws.
Q: Can the fee be financed or paid over time?
A: Yes. We work with CareCredit to finance any care needed. You can get up to one
year of interest free credit for most cases. To learn more, go to: www.carecredit.com
A: Yes. We work with CareCredit to finance any care needed. You can get up to one
year of interest free credit for most cases. To learn more, go to: www.carecredit.com
Q: Does insurance pay for Oral Airway Appliances?
A: They will pay for most cases as long as the request was made by a physician.
Meaning, we will need the have a referral from you doctor to provide this care and you
will need to fill a few forms here and we will take care of the rest.
A: They will pay for most cases as long as the request was made by a physician.
Meaning, we will need the have a referral from you doctor to provide this care and you
will need to fill a few forms here and we will take care of the rest.
Q: Do I pay for it or does the insurance company?
A: You will be responsible for payment on the day we start making the appliance. We
will submit your insurance claim on the same day so that you can be reimbursed by
your insurance carrier (as long as we have all of the information needed)
A: You will be responsible for payment on the day we start making the appliance. We
will submit your insurance claim on the same day so that you can be reimbursed by
your insurance carrier (as long as we have all of the information needed)
Q: What if my insurance carrier denies the claim?
A: We will write a letter to them requesting an appeal and we will resubmit the claim with
all of the forms. Most get paid at this point. If they deny it again, we are no longer able
to help.
A: We will write a letter to them requesting an appeal and we will resubmit the claim with
all of the forms. Most get paid at this point. If they deny it again, we are no longer able
to help.
Q: Can we send a pre-approval to the insurance before we start?
A: Yes we can. To do that we will need your information, your doctor's information, your
insurance information. You can send us all of that right on this website. Click HERE to
go to that page right now. The forms page is carried on an encrypted server. Only Dr.
Saib and the Office Manager will see it. If the information is not complete or incorrect,
we cannot submit. So please take you time.
A: Yes we can. To do that we will need your information, your doctor's information, your
insurance information. You can send us all of that right on this website. Click HERE to
go to that page right now. The forms page is carried on an encrypted server. Only Dr.
Saib and the Office Manager will see it. If the information is not complete or incorrect,
we cannot submit. So please take you time.
Q: What if I don't have teeth?
A: All oral airway devices have to have teeth or dental implants to connect to. You will
need ten teeth or four dental implants in each arch (jaw) to have a stable and
comfortable situation. If you don't have teeth and have been considering dental
implants, we can recommend the Dental Implant Center of North Carolina at
www.ncimplant.com.
A: All oral airway devices have to have teeth or dental implants to connect to. You will
need ten teeth or four dental implants in each arch (jaw) to have a stable and
comfortable situation. If you don't have teeth and have been considering dental
implants, we can recommend the Dental Implant Center of North Carolina at
www.ncimplant.com.
Q: Is the TAP 3 the only appliance you like to use?
A: Although it is Dr. Saib's favorite appliance, he sometime will use others if you had
certain conditions. For example, if you are missing your front teeth, the TAP 3 is not the
best as it is designed to engage in the front. We would need to use a device that
engages more in the back. All appliances have the same success as they primarily do
the same thing of moving the lower jaw forward. Some are just easier to work with.
A: Although it is Dr. Saib's favorite appliance, he sometime will use others if you had
certain conditions. For example, if you are missing your front teeth, the TAP 3 is not the
best as it is designed to engage in the front. We would need to use a device that
engages more in the back. All appliances have the same success as they primarily do
the same thing of moving the lower jaw forward. Some are just easier to work with.
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