Breathing Disorders/Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Breathing disorders are a serious medical condition. The warning signs in adults is usually snoring or interrupted breathing when asleep. Children will snore or grind their teeth in their sleep. Permanent brain damage, heart attack, stroke and hypertension (high blood pressure) are all results of sleep disorders.

Dr Freedline is certified in assisting patients with their sleep physician in treating this condition. If you are concerned that you or a loved one might have a breathing disorder, please call us to discuss this with Dr. Freedline.

Dr. Freedline began treating patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea. back in the 1990’s. At that time, there was very little medical information and virtually no routine dental approach to helping apneic patients.

Dr. Freedline’s first patient was his father, who would complain about the CPAP mask for many reasons. Concerned, Dr. Freedline began the quest for whatever information was available. He attended the annual sleep physician meetings, hoping to build a better understanding of this condition.

At that time, only one device existed with very little testing. It was actually a minor variation of an orthodontic appliance. It was a very primitive approach by today’s standards!

During the decade of the 2000’s, the medical community became more aware of this serious medical condition, and doctors began to test patients and form a better understanding of the illness. The CPAP was given to thousands of patients, and the data began to show poor compliance with the use of it. At the same time, dentists, researchers at dental schools and dental lab technicians began to study oral appliance therapy and scientifically measure the treatment results.

To help formalize the treatment of patients with the best possible care, dentists formed the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, to which Dr. Freedline has been a member from the beginning.

Dr. Freedline has treated dozens of apneic patients, and believes that he has improved their quality of life, and even saved lives. Also, now Dr. Freedline uses an appliance himself, so he can easily relate to the patients that he treats.

Fortunately, as the medical science worldwide has improved, many insurance plans are covering Oral Appliance Therapy. This is a tremendous step forward in helping CPAP intolerant patients control their disease.