• Smiles for Life 2015
• WHY SEE A DENTIST FOR OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA OR OSA?
• From the Kitchen Of Cynthia Garlock
• Goodbye to Janis!
• Meet the Team
• Don’t Miss Out on all the Exciting Promotions

Oral appliance therapy (OAT) is an effective treatment option for patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Although continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is the first line of treatment for sleep apnea, many patients prefer an oral appliance to CPAP. An oral appliance is a small plastic device that fits in the mouth like a sports mouth guard or orthodontic retainer. Oral appliances help prevent the collapse of the tongue and soft tissues in the back of the throat, keeping the airway open during sleep and promoting adequate air intake. Oral appliances may be used alone or in combination with other treatments for sleep-related breathing disorders, such as weight management, surgery or CPAP.

Oral Appliance Therapy

Oral appliance therapy involves the selection, fitting and use of a specially designed oral appliance that maintains an open, unobstructed airway in the throat when worn during sleep. Custom-made oral appliances are proven to be more effective than over-the-counter devices, which are not recommended as a screening tool nor as a therapeutic option. 

Dr. Stefano is familiar with the various designs of appliances and can help determine which is best suited for your specific needs. A board certified sleep medicine physician must first provide a diagnosis and recommend the most effective treatment approach. Dr. Stefano may then provide treatment and follow-up.

Ongoing care, including short- and long-term follow-up is an essential step in the treatment of snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea with Oral Appliance Therapy. Follow-up care serves to assess the treatment of your sleep disorder, the condition of your appliance, your physical response to your appliance, and to ensure that it is comfortable and effective.

Advantages of Oral Appliance Therapy

• Oral appliances are comfortable and easy to wear. Most people find that it only takes a couple of weeks to become acclimated to wearing the appliance.
• Oral appliances are small and convenient making them easy to carry when traveling.
• Treatment with oral appliances is reversible and non-invasive

Dr Stefano can refer to multiple sleep labs for sleep studies or can help you get a home sleep test done.

Call for a Sleep Apnea Consultation.

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

Prep Time: 15 min               Total:      4hrs  30min           Serves: 6

1 cup Pace® Picante Sauce

2 cans (10 ¾ ounces each) Campbell’s® Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup or Campbell’s® Condensed 98% Fat Free Cream of Chicken Soup

1 ¼ pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cut into ½ -inch pieces

2 cups frozen whole kernel corn

1 can (about 15 ounces) canned black beans, rinsed and drained

1 1/3 cup water

1 teaspoon ground cumin

4 corn tortillas (6 inch) cut into strips

1 cup shredded Cheddar Cheese (about 4 ounces)

1/3 cup chopped cilantro

1 Stir the picante sauce, soup, chicken, corn, beans, water and cumin in a 4-quart slow cooker.

2 Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours or until the chicken is cooked through.

3 Stir the tortillas, cheese and cilantro into the cooker.  Cover and cook for 15 minutes.  Serve with   additional cheese, if desired.

If you have a fantastic recipe that you would like to share, please email it to stefanodental@bex.net and you may just see in the next newsletter.

Stefano Dental said our goodbyes to Janis; she will be taking a full time position at her current place of employment.  We enjoyed her time spent here and wish her the best of luck .

Sara Warner, New Patient Coordinator

Sara welcomes patients to the office, reserve appointments, answer the phones, and anything else needed to make your visit great! She comes from a healthcare background and looks forward to getting to know all of you creating a rewarding experience.

Her family lives on a local farm with our two boys, Tyler and Tavin. In her spare time, she enjoys watching basketball, spending time with my family, cheering on the Buckeyes, and being involved with the local 4-H club.

April: Smiles for Life/ Oral, Head, Neck Cancer Awareness Month Velscope Special $19.00 reg: $25.00

May: Smiles for Life/Mom’s package from Nacole @ Hair Creations Manicure/Pedicure

June:  Smiles for Life/Athletic Mouth Guards $99

July: Athletic Mouth Guards $99

August: Athletic Mouth Guards $99

September: Tongue Tools $6.00 + tax

October: Invisalign Special

November: Food Drive

December: Toys for Tots