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A Year of Transformation in Sleep Apnea Treatment: My Journey with Gergen’s Herbst Appliances
By Jerry Hu, DDS, DASBA, DACSDD, DABDSM
Recently, a well-known maxim, "All things happen for a reason," has brought such splendid music to my ears. This year, ever since I began providing Gergen's Orthodontic Lab's Herbst appliances for my sleep apnea patients and using the Rickett's Sibilant Phonetics Bite, I have experienced incredible results—results like I’ve never seen in the past. Milled dorsal appliances simply cannot compare. As a matter of fact, several of the "precision" milled appliances have resulted in side effects like TMJ/TMD discomfort, orofacial muscle hypertonicity aches, and trigger point issues.
Thankfully, the Herbst appliance—ideal for synovial fluids and freedom of border movements—is available to remedy those cases. Additionally, with over four decades of experience embedded in the skillful hands of David Gergen, one cannot go wrong with using a Herbst appliance made from Gergen's lab.
Stories have been building up in all my clinics, and many of them involve veterans. It is quite an honor and unforgettable when these patients return with such improved quality of life. War heroes, veterans with disabilities, and even a double amputee from the Vietnam War have all benefited from using Gergen's Herbst appliance.
One of the most noteworthy cases involves a veteran with severe sleep apnea. His baseline AHI score was 49, and after treatment, it dropped to an astonishing 0.27. He came back to report unbelievable improvements in energy, memory, and even his ability to dream and remember those dreams. He shared that he is now able to sleep on the same bed as his wife, something he hadn’t been able to do for several years.
Another remarkable success story comes from a well-known attorney who retired in Los Angeles and moved to Las Vegas. When he came to our office for his consultation, we immediately noticed how lethargic he seemed—continually yawning while talking and visibly tired. He told us it was a struggle for him in the first few hours of the day after waking up, and that he hadn’t remembered dreaming for years. One week after we delivered his Herbst appliance, he called us to express his excitement about the changes he’d experienced. He wanted to meet us in person to share the details of his improvements. Not only that, but his wife, a retired judge from California who was CPAP intolerant, also wanted to get an appliance.
These amazing results inspired me to visit Gergen's Orthodontic Laboratory in Phoenix myself. When I arrived, I was asked to help instruct a study club for the American Sleep and Breathing Academy. During this meeting, I received additional pearls of wisdom about the Rickett's phonetic bite method. David Gergen, who was personally trained by Dr. Ricketts, passed along these detailed specifics to everyone in attendance. Using the word "Shun" and looking for 5's, 6's, and 9's, along with verifying the bite registration with Airway Metrics jigs, helped make the bite registrations incredibly precise. This was the first "hidden treasure" I discovered during my visit.
Next, I visited the lab itself. Upon entering, I was immediately struck by the energy and drive of everyone there. Not a single person was sitting idle—every team member was working efficiently. David informed us that the lab handles 600-700 cases per day on average, and seeing this in action was jaw-dropping. We were given the opportunity to witness the craftsmanship of the technicians, who explained the steps and rationale behind their processes, as well as the stringent quality control checks they performed. The complexity of the cases they worked on was impressive, and the attention to detail was unmatched. With over 40 years of experience, David had a natural ability to identify undercuts, draw, and block out for the most ideal comfort, retention, and fit of each appliance. This level of expertise was the second hidden treasure I uncovered.
Andre Collins NFL PA Executive Director & David Gergen
Lastly, I learned about David's deep commitment to helping NFL retirees. His lab has a dedicated section focused on assisting retired NFL players who suffer from various health issues, including the aftermath of concussions, sleep apnea-induced dementia, and conditions like Alzheimer's or Parkinson’s. The remarkable work being done here is truly life-changing for many former athletes. The NFLPA's involvement speaks volumes about the quality of care provided, as many retired players have found much-needed relief and improved quality of sleep with the Herbst appliance.
I truly believe the universe has a way of leading us to certain people in our lifetime, and I am certain there is a reason the universe directed me to meet David Gergen. I have developed a strong connection with him and share his passion for advancing dental sleep medicine. We are both committed to increasing awareness of treatment options, advancing care, and most importantly, making our world a less tired and more energized place.