Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.
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89 NOVEMBER 2018 November 2018 NOTABLE NORTHSHORE S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G S E C T I O N Northshore Center for Cosmetic Dentistry R O N A L D T. P L O T K A , D . D . S N O R T H S H O R E C E N T E R F O R C O S M E T I C D E N T I S T R Y 2 9 3 H U M P H R E Y S T R E E T S W A M P S C O T T, M A 0 19 07 7 8 1 - 5 9 9 - 8 3 0 0 H E L L O@N O RTH S H O R E D E NTI ST.C O M "Wake up, your sleep is killing you." Dr. Ronald T. Plotka's, D.D.S., passion for sleep dentistry stems from the loss of a friend who succumbed to sleep apnea. Plotka tried in vain to persuade him to seek professional medical assistance, but he never found time due to his busy schedule. Plotka promised himself that he would never allow this to happen again to another friend, family member or patient. Last year, he enrolled in and completed a sleep medicine residency program at Tufts University Dental School. He looks at no patient the same way he did prior to his sleep residency. He is now out to save lives. He and his dental team are screening patients for sleep related breathing disorder for example sleep apnea. His office is American Sleep Dentistry qualified with a DME licensure. His mission is to screen patients, educate, and equip them with the tools they need to treat their sleep disorders. He now has extensive training in treating sleep disorders. He is also a founding member of the American Academy of Oral Systemic health as well as many other dental professional organizations. What is CPAP and why do people seek alternatives? CPAP means continuous positive airway pressure and is the gold standard for treating sleep apnea. The CPAP patients wear a mask that covers either the nose, mouth, or both and emirates a pneumatic pressure that acts as a stent in the airway and prevents the throat tissues from collapsing maintaining an open airway. Although CPAP is an effective treatment for sleep apnea some patients may find it uncomfortable to wear throughout the night. Roughly 60 percent of CPAP users are noncompliant using their machines less than four hours per night. For those patients who are noncompliant, oral appliances can be constructed to successfully combat sleep apnea. The oral appliance pulls the lower jaw forward and pulls the tongue forward there by opening the airway to life-giving oxygen. Oral appliances and their benefits. There are many oral appliances fabricated in a dental office, but it is important to fit the proper appliance for each patient's needs. This is where Dr. Plotka's residency has educated him to select the proper mouthpiece for the sleep apnea patient. For example, if a patient grinds their teeth and has a jaw with a unique shape and teeth that are capped, a custom oral appliance will be designed for their needs. Some patients who traveled extensively may wear the CPAP at home, but they are able wear a dental oral appliance when they travel. Therefore, with hundreds of options available, Plotka is confident he can find the proper mouthpiece that will fit a patient's lifestyle and needs. Oral appliances are ideal for patients with mild or moderate sleep apnea and are also great for those with chronic snoring issues. Remember, if you are noncompliant wearing your CPAP or would just need help getting your snoring issues under control, Dr. Plotka can fabricate you an oral appliance that will satisfy any sleep related breathing disorder. Neglecting sleep apnea or snoring issues can be life-threatening. Let Dr. Plotka help you.