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It is my pleasure and proud moment to announce that of all the recognized dental sleep academies in the United States, American Sleep and Breathing Academy has the best track record, with its board certified diplomates lowering the most AHI levels and attaining the best overall outcomes in oral appliance therapy for obstructive sleep apnea. Director Collins along with Dr Patricio Reyes, world renowned neurologist and clinical director have been working with David Gergen and the Academy to reform the military’s programs for treatment in Dental Sleep Medicine. I recently spoke with Dr. Jerry Hu regarding streamlining PDAC requirements with VA and active duty. Dr. Hu claims providers know that Blue Cross Blue Shield has already followed and duplicated Medicare and PDAC rules, and so it is important that our veterans and men & women in uniform all receive the best type of appliances, namely the Herbst style appliance. Dr. Reyes also has seen that record and evidence, so when dealing with patients in his expertise of brain related issues- such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, concussions, PTSD, Depression/ mental disorders, etc., he will only accept Herbst style appliances in working with the Federal Government.
Dr. Patricio Reyes, Dr. Jerry Hu, David Gergen, and Dr. Isaac LaVant
Remember back in 2012 there were 80 sleep appliances on the market. The government quietly ran a 6 year study on the efficacy and breakage of all 80 appliances and its findings once released, took the industry by surprise! The Government threw out all appliances besides the Herbst Appliance and also discarded all of the labs with the exception of Gergen's Orthodontic Lab and SML of CA. Furthermore, they stated they would only pay for one appliance, the Herbst and it must be fabricated by one of the two labs previously mentioned. Gergens Ortho Lab, which held the lowest breakage rate of under 2% or with Space Maintainers of California with a breakage rate of under 7%. The stated reason was that all other labs had breakage rates or other issues that placed them over 10%!
As prior articles from the Academy have mentioned, the Herbst appliance is the only dental sleep appliance that addresses synovial fluid, hyaluronic acid, disc displacement issues and the health of the TMJ. Dr Hu states that Companies that use false claims, especially regarding dorsal fins as their number one choice have put patients, dentists, and labs all at risk for fin fractures and aspiration. Dr Hu's opinion is It would be a nightmare for the patient, but also the potential litigations and headaches that come from those cases would burden the entire industry. Moreover, successful clinicians like Dr. Hu have had experience in the past using dorsal fins and have found the Herbst style appliances are far superior to dorsal fins. Not only has he noticed the benefits from the TMJ aspect, but also noticed his highest scores of lowering AHI & RDI (with sleep study results) all came from Herbst style appliances and not dorsal fins. After seeing so many dorsal fins break, he considers himself very fortunate that those patients didn’t aspirate them in the middle of the night. His caution to all providers, be very careful and have thorough discernment on dishonest claims used by certain people in the industry.
ASBA is also extremely fortunate to have the legacy of all appliances created by Dr. Ricketts. Only made available due to the experience and expertise of Gergen’s Orthodontic Lab. In the literature, there are proven non- responders to customized oral appliance therapy no matter what type is used. In those circumstances, when the patient is both CPAP intolerant and non responder to oral appliance therapy, Gergen’s Lab can offer NON-Invasive appliance options. Appliances such as Occlusal Correctors, Schwartz Appliances, Cro scat, Bionators, Rickonators, Sagittals, DR Serrano Appliances, and Dr. Tim Adams line which includes the cricket appliance and Crickets for sleep
Lastly, ASBA will be offering study clubs throughout the year, such as Timothy Adams' course on The Cricket Appliance along with his advanced course on the treatment of cranial distortion cases, quantum physics & fascia, and its connection to airway and overall health to be held on October 10th and11th 2025. Dr Francisco Eraso will be teaching cone beam interpretation and reports. Introduction to dental sleep medicine and medical billing will be taught by Dr. Hu and other experienced lecturers like Toshi Hart and Diana Batoon. In addition, the laser company Fotona participates. The seats fill up quickly every time so we highly recommend signing up early for members to attend because Tim Adams May's Study Club is already 2/3 of full capacity! No other dental sleep academy offers this caliber of training and education.
The future of dental sleep medicine is growing!!! Our Academy, the ASBA, is destined to be at the forefront of innovation. education, and research, while working with our Federal government to be leaders in the industry.
"The Future Looks Lovely"
Alan Hickey