April 08, 2026

Implementing Sleep, Airway and Myo to Restorative Dentistry Part 2 – PDP263

1 hour 20 minutes

You’ve spotted the signs—wear, scalloping, fragmentation, maybe even a low AHI—but what does that really mean?

When the data doesn’t match the symptoms, how do you move forward?

And how do you integrate airway into full mouth rehab without compromising function, stability, or predictability?

In this episode, Jaz is joined by Dr. Aston Parmar to explore the real-world application of airway dentistry. They discuss how to help patients own their problem, why sleep testing matters, and how airway influences diagnosis, treatment planning, and long-term outcomes.

https://youtu.be/-zVV1FAT0NI

Watch PDP263 on YouTube

Protrusive Dental Pearl

Nasal Breathing and Simple Screening

Nasal airflow can be a major limiting factor in sleep quality.

Simple test: flare nostrils → if breathing improves, nasal resistance may be present.

Nasal dilators can be a cheap, low-risk intervention for selected patients.

Not all patients need mandibular advancement — sometimes the issue is nasal.

Second pearl: test snoring improvement by advancing the mandible.

If forward positioning reduces snoring sound → mandibular advancement may help.

Key Takeaways

Patients must own their problem before accepting treatment

Airway dentistry is about risk reduction, not cure

Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) has limitations—context and patterns matter more than raw scores

Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS) is common but underdiagnosed

Sleep fragmentation can exist even with low AHI scores

Myofunctional therapy improves compliance and outcomes

Multi-night sleep testing provides more accurate insights

Collaboration with ENT specialists improves diagnostic accuracy

Airway is the bookend of full mouth rehab (start and end)

Dentistry should be airway-sympathetic, not just tooth-focused

Mandibular advancement devices are effective but require careful titration

Morning occlusal guides help reduce bite changes from appliances

Not all patients need the same pathway—risk stratification is key

Predictability in dentistry depends on understanding the whole system

The environment (airway, function, biology) matters more than the teeth

Highlights of this episode:

00:00 – Introduction to Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome

02:08 – Pearl: Nasal Breathing and Simple Screening

07:43 – Recap: Myofunctional Therapy and Indications

08:30 – Role of Myofunctional Therapy in Treatment Planning

09:40 – Patient Communication and Case Acceptance

23:20 – Sleep-Disordered Breathing Spectrum

23:50 – Apnea vs Hypopnea and Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) Limitations

30:00 – Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS)

35:43 – Management of UARS

37:00 – Mandibular Advancement Devices (MAD)

39:00 – Maxillary Expansion and Surgical Options

41:00 – Treatment Pathway and ENT Involvement

44:00 – Risk Assessment in Full Mouth Rehab

59:30 – Airway-Sympathetic Dentistry

01:02:00 – Treatment Philosophy and Case Selection

01:07:00 – Airway as Bookends of Treatment

01:09:00 – Managing Side Effects of MAD

01:12:00 – Career Insight and Final Reflections

Want to learn more?

Watch part 1 of this episode: PDP262 – Implementing Sleep, Airway and Myo to Restorative Dentistry Part 1

Also, check out Stop Blaming Bruxism with Dr. Sandra Hulac – PDP142

🦷Master Airway Dentistry in Practice
Join Dr. Aston Parmar’s course on 8th May in Cardiff

Learn how to screen, test, and manage airway patients

Understand real-world workflows and patient communication

Build confidence in integrating airway into your practice

👉 Book via: www.dentalsleep.co.uk

🦷 Ergonomics Day – Dentistry Without Back Pain!

Join us Saturday, 13th June, Heathrow with Dr. Anikó Ball, world-leading ergonomics expert! Learn proper posture, positioning, and techniques to prevent back problems while practicing dentistry.

💺 Hands-on workshop with a mobile dental chair
📸 Live camera demo on a big screen
💻 Can’t attend in person? Join online with live stream & replay

🎟 Early bird tickets even include a full event video!

👉 Grab your spot now!

#PDPMainEpisodes #CareerDevelopment #OrthoRestorative

This episode is eligible for 1.25 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance.

This episode meets GDC Outcome C

AGD Subject Code: 730 – Oral Medicine, Oral Diagnosis, Oral Pathology

Aim

To provide dentists with a practical understanding of airway-focused dentistry, including sleep assessment, risk-based treatment planning, and the integration of airway considerations into full mouth rehabilitation.

Dentists will be able to:

Recognize the limitations of AHI and the importance of sleep fragmentation in diagnosis.

Understand the role of myofunctional therapy in improving airway function and treatment outcomes.

Apply a risk-based approach when integrating airway considerations into restorative and occlusal treatment planning.

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By Jaz Gulati

4.7

2020 ratings