Limiting the number of patients in the practice at one time
Asking for patients to wear masks when coming in and out of our office
Asking a list of screening questions during appointment confirmation and repeating the list upon patient arrival
Having patients wait in their vehicle until team member comes to take their temperature
Having patient wash or sanitize hands upon arrival to office
Limiting one parent or guardian to accompany one minor to his/her/their appointment
Implementing digital forms/paperwork (including consent for treatment form) and payment options
Scheduling more time between patients to perform disinfection practices above the standard protocols using electrolyzed water and medical grade sanitizers
Cleaning the air with ozone filtration every evening
Having all patients rinse with treatment specific mouthwash prior to any treatment
Using advanced suction systems that reduce aerosols
Screening our team each morning with questionnaire and temperature checks
Masks worn throughout office by every patient and team member, except for when patients are receiving treatment

*Our office follows infection control recommendations made by the American Dental Association (ADA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

828-684-1633

info@AshevilleSmileCenter.com

Arden dentist offers an alternative to the CPAP machine for sleep apnea

Dr. Christopher Port

alternative solutions to the CPAP machine for sleep apnea from arden dentist

An estimated 22 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, with as many as 80 percent of the moderate to severe cases left undiagnosed. Located in Arden, Dr. Christopher Port of Asheville Smile Center offers an oral appliance as a treatment alternative to the CPAP machine for patients with sleep apnea.

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a disorder in which a person repeatedly stops breathing while sleeping. The pauses can happen multiple times per hour. There is typically a snort or choking sound as the person catches his or her breath.

Treatment options

There are several treatments available for patients with sleep apnea. The severity of a patient’s condition may dictate the treatment used. For patients with obstructive sleep apnea, doctors may recommend continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). CPAP therapy uses a machine to help a person breathe while sleeping. This machine increases air pressure in the throat to prevent the airway from collapsing while breathing. CPAP machines use one of the following to help patients breathe:

A mask over the nose and mouth
A nose only mask
Prongs that fit the nose

Oral appliances

At Asheville Smile Center, we offer oral appliances as an alternative to bulky CPAP machines. Oral appliances are custom created for each patient and are effectively used to treat sleep apnea among other oral issues. An oral appliance fits like a mouth guard pushing the jaw forward to keep the airway open. Advantages of oral appliances over CPAP machines include:

Patient comfort
No bulky machine
No mask
Quiet
Easy to care for
Portable

If you suffer from sleep apnea, contact our office to learn more about oral appliance therapy. Schedule your appointment with Dr. Christopher Port at Asheville Smile Center today. You belong here. (828) 585-4049