Open AirWaves Episode 3: Combining Oral Appliances with Inspire to Improve Outcomes-Open AirWaves Episode 3 (Video)

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In this episode of the Open Airwaves podcast, Dr. Tanya DeSanto hosts Dr. Sims Tompkins to discuss hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HNS) for treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Dr. Tompkins, an orthodontist with extensive experience in dental sleep medicine, elaborates on the candidate criteria and the surgical process for Inspire therapy, an HNS method.<br /><br />Candidates are adults over 22 with moderate to severe OSA, a body mass index below 33, who struggle with CPAP therapy, and have no significant comorbidities or anatomical abnormalities. The Inspire device has a three-component system—an implant pulse generator, a pressure sensor, and a stimulation lead—that work together to stimulate the tongue to prevent airway blockage during sleep.<br /><br />The discussion touches on the HNS surgical procedure, which is less invasive than other options and involves placing a stimulator cuff on the motor and protrusive branches of the hypoglossal nerve. Dr. Tompkins shares his insights on the post-surgical process, including device activation and voltage titration by sleep physicians, who often incorporate oral appliance therapy to improve efficacy and patient comfort.<br /><br />He highlights challenges such as tongue discomfort and tooth movement, discussing combination therapy approaches (HNS with oral appliances) that can enhance outcomes. The episode provides valuable insights into fostering collaboration between sleep doctors and dentists to optimize patient care and treatment effectiveness, underscoring the role of dentists in treating HNS therapy patients.

Keywords

hypoglossal nerve stimulation

obstructive sleep apnea

Inspire therapy

dental sleep medicine

CPAP therapy

surgical process

oral appliance therapy

sleep physicians

combination therapy

patient care