Toronto Cosmetic Dentist Uses Oral Appliances as Alternative to CPAP in Sleep Apnea Treatment

TORONTO--(Marketwire - Jun 21, 2012) - When Theresa went to the dentist as a child, nearly every visit left her in pain. Accustomed to having her teeth pulled whenever there was a problem, Theresa developed a deeply-rooted fear of the dentist that led her to avoid necessary dental work and suffer from long-standing tooth loss with no tooth replacement. After years of discomfort and self-consciousness, her dental woes had finally begun to bring about more serious health risks, prompting her to seek professional help from Toronto dentist Dr. Susie Ang.

Dr. Ang, who focuses on cosmetic dentistry and sleep apnea treatment in Toronto, says Theresa's teeth had drifted over time because of the gaps left from missing teeth, causing an uneven bite and teeth grinding at night. As she also complained of excessive snoring, low energy, and interrupted sleep, Dr. Ang says she conducted a thorough sleep apnea questionnaire and recommended sleep study for Theresa. Her sleep study results confirmed the presence of sleep apnea. Affecting over 18 million Americans according to the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), sleep apnea is a condition that can cause serious overall health concerns such as hypertension, stroke, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Officials with the AARC also suggest an additional 10 million Americans have the condition, which can cause people to stop breathing as many as 30 times or more each night, but have not been diagnosed.

While some sleep apnea treatment regimens involve the use of a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine, Dr. Ang says most people have difficulties adjusting to sleeping with the CPAP machine, as a result, the compliance rate is very low. As an alternative, she recommends custom oral snoring appliances to reduce the narrowing of one's airway and allow them to breathe easier. Having been originally prescribed the CPAP by her physician, Theresa said she found the device uncomfortable and counter-productive because it further interrupted her sleep. Through the use of a dental appliance, she says her sleep apnea was greatly diminished and her teeth were protected from the wear and tear of night time grinding.

"The dental appliance is so easy to get used to. It is so much better than the uncomfortable CPAP alternative. I no longer wake up at night feeling out of breath. I feel more rested in the morning, more alert, and more energized for the day's work. My husband has noticed the absence of snoring when I wear the appliance. He also sleeps better because he is not worried about me stopping breathing in the middle of my sleep," says Theresa.

Despite its potentially dangerous effects, Dr. Ang says sleep apnea is a treatable condition that can be managed through proven methods and the experienced care of a holistic dentist. She says her practice has always emphasized the importance of addressing a patient's overall well-being and beauty, rather than individual symptoms. Whether they are looking for relief from sleep apnea like Theresa or cosmetic dentistry in Toronto, Dr. Ang says she urges all patients to seek the expertise of a properly-trained and qualified dentist before undergoing any procedure.

"To me, holistic, or healing dentistry means we are improving the overall health and beauty of a person rather than just the individual parts. In this case, we use the dental appliance to improve the airway to allow our body to function optimally. By treating Theresa's sleep apnea, we also addressed the tooth wear problem from unconscious grinding at night," says Dr. Ang.

About Susie Ang, DDS

Dr. Susie Ang graduated from the University of Toronto, Faculty of Dentistry and completed a postgraduate program in Esthetic Dentistry at SUNY Buffalo. Having maintained a consistent relationship with The Pankey Institute, an educational center devoted to cosmetic and restorative dentistry, she has also participated in several advanced education courses on topics ranging from the masticatory system to "The Concept of Complete Dentistry." Dr. Ang is currently a member of the Academy of General Dentistry, the Toronto Crown and Bridge Study Club, the Toronto Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the American Academy of Dento-Facial Esthetics, and the American Society for Dental Aesthetics.

Located at 675 Cochrane Drive Suite 508 in Markham, Ontario, Canada, Dr. Ang's practice can be reached at (866) 601-4439. She can also be contacted online via the website drsusieang.com.