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Dental Sleep Medicine is one of the most exciting medical-dental connections and is an integral part of the "sleep team". It focuses on the management of Sleep-related Breathing Disorders, which includes snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea, with Oral Appliance Therapy and upper airway surgery. It is extremely gratifying to help an astonishing 50-70 million Americans who are experiencing sleep-related breathing disorders, most go undiagnosed and untreated to breath better, sleep better, and to see their quality of life improve greatly by providing an effective and comfortable treatment modality. 

Dental Sleep Medicine is practiced by dentists, however, is more than general dentistry. Oral Appliance Therapy should be performed by qualified dentists, who have extended education, knowledge, and hands-on training.  American Academy of Sleep Medicine (www.aasmnet.org) recommended oral appliance therapy practitioners are those who are Board Certified as Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine or others who have undertaken comprehensive training in sleep medicine and/or sleep-related breathing disorders with an emphasis on the scientific literature and the use of an appropriate protocol for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.

Oral Appliance Therapy involves the selection of appliance, fabrication, fitting, adjustments, and long term follow-up care and management of potential complications such as malocclusion and temporomandibular joint dysfunction. This custom-designed oral devices worn during sleep to reposition the mandible and tongue base anteriorly to enlarge and stabilize the oropharyngeal airway.

The American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) is a professional organization of more than 2,200 dentists worldwide. The AADSM promotes the research and clinical use of oral appliance therapy and upper airway surgery for  the treatment of sleep-related breathing disorders, such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea, and provided training and resources for dentists and other professionals who work directly with patiens. (www.aadsm.org)

The director of the TMJ, Head & Neck Pain Center, Dr. Kim is certified as a Diplomate from the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine.  Certification as a Diplomate represents a professional commitment to education, knowledge and skill in the areas of dental sleep medicine and oral appliance therapy. Diplomates are recognized by patients, colleagues and professional organizations in both medicine and dentistry a having met the highest level of knowledge and clinical competence in the field of dental sleep medicine.

Dr. Kim welcomes referrals from all health practitioners and individuals who wish to treat or manage loud snoring and obstructive sleep apnea with an oral appliance, have a second opinion or who have problems with CPAP or surgery.