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Health and Wellness
PAGE 72
A 40 year tradition of Personal, Affordable Care in an atmosphere of Comfort and Trust ANDREW P. GALANTE, DMD., M.A.G.D. 31-D Mountain Blvd. • Warren, NJ 07059 • 908-561-3939 • www.DrGalante.com In a nation of 215,000 dentists, Dr. Galante is one of only 1,717 who have received a mastership from the Academy of General Dentistry. That mastership is awarded after the taking of 3,000 hours of continuing education. A University of Pennsylvania graduate, Dr. Galante served his country as a dentist during the Vietnam Conflict. After being selected a clinical instructor at the College of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, he started his practice in Warren, NJ in 1974. $39.00 NEW PATIENT OFFER ($229 Value) One Hour Exam X-Rays • Oral Cancer Screen Our Services Include: • Tooth Whitening • Mercury Free Fillings • Implants • Porcelain Crowns and Bridges • Teeth Cleanings • Children’s Dentistry • Sleep Apnea Treatment (Snoring Prevention) • Tooth Grinding & Muscle Spasm Treatment • Relaxation Gas • All Preventative Treatments PARTICIPATES WITH MOST INSURANCE COMPANIES Snoring can be a very good indi- cator of a condition known as Sleep Apnea. Sleep Apnea can be a seri- ous problem for people. It causes a temporary cessation of breathing that occurs repeatedly throughout the night. Apnea-related distur- bances result in the restriction of oxygen to the brain and blood- stream. Untreated sleep apnea is a catalyst for high blood pressure and other cardiovascular disease, head- aches, memory loss, increased appetite and impotency. The rest- less sleep caused by apnea can be responsible for decreased focus and drowsy driving. The gold standard for treating sleep apnea is the Continuous Pos- itive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine. CPAP machines blow a constant stream of air through the patient’s mouth and nose during sleep. The CPAP is effective at treat- ing sleep apnea but many find it cumbersome and unnatural. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has designated oral appli- ance therapy (OAT) as the second best form of therapy. Fortunately a knowledgeable dentist can diag- nose and treat mild forms of Sleep Apnea that causes the snoring problems. A dentist can take a his- tory emphasizing the sleep related problem, administer an in home sleep test (HST) which can be accomplished in the comfort of one’s own home and is much more affordable than staying overnight in a sleep lab. If the HST shows that the sleep apnea is in the mild to moderate range then the dentist can fit the patient an oral appli- ance. The oral appliance advances the lower jaw which effectively opens the airway to allow more oxygen to get into the lungs. It is a very affective device for mild to moderate sleep apnea and snoring. This treatment can be covered under your medical insurance, so you would have to get approval for the device by your general physi- cian. Coverage for the OAT has to be put through your Medical Insur- ance Plan. If your partner pokes you when you’re trying to sleep and claims that you’re snoring, your dentist should be able to help you. It’s a quality of life issue. I know from personal experience because I would not go to bed without one. DO YOU SNORE? By: Dr. Andrew P. Galante