Precision. Heritage. Innovation.

When it comes to fabricating the Open Loop Cricket (OLC), dentists worldwide trust Gergen’s Orthodontic Lab — the leading supplier of this revolutionary appliance.

With its three-dimensional developmental approach, the OLC is designed to:

• Decompress TMJ strain and correct cranial asymmetry.

• Improve airway tone and tongue function.

• Deliver lasting outcomes by working with the body’s natural cranial motion.

Why Partner with Gergen’s

• Legacy of excellence: David Gergen, CDT, worked closely with pioneers like Dr. Ricketts and is recognized as one of the most respected dental technicians in the world.

• Trusted collaboration: Official lab partner for Dr. Tim Adams and the American Sleep and Breathing Academy, ensuring fidelity to the OLC’s design.

• Global recognition: Showcased during international exchanges, including ASBA’s Phoenix Study Club featuring Dr. Gopal of Manipal College of Dental Sciences.

• Full-service workflow: From digital impressions to final delivery, Gergen’s Lab provides precision fabrication and expert guidance on every case.

Ready to Prescribe the OLC?

Download the Prescription Form for the Open Loop Cricket
Submit digital files and start cases with confidence, knowing your patients will benefit from the finest craftsmanship in dental sleep medicine.

Note for clinicians: Evidence for the OLC is emerging, with case reports and expert opinion guiding best practices. We encourage training and careful case selection for optimal outcomes.

 Read Dr. Tim Adam’s Intro. on the OLC to learn more introduction-to-the-open-loop-cricket

]]> https://gergensortho.com/open-loop-cricket-exclusive-fabrication-at-gergens-orthodontic-lab/feed/ 0 https://gergensortho.com/david-gergen-stages-come-back/ https://gergensortho.com/david-gergen-stages-come-back/#respond Wed, 15 Apr 2020 16:57:55 +0000 http://gergensortho.com/?p=36527 World-renowned dental professional David Gergen stages a come-back

http://gergensortho.com/

David Gergen, one of the original masterminds of Dental Sleep Medicine is back in the industry as he re-launches himself into the industry of Dental Sleep Medicine. As the President of Pro Player Health Alliance, he is seen as one of the nationally idolize and respected as a dental lab technician who has been at the top of the game for 30 years now.  In 1986 Columbus Dental selected David Gergen “The Finest Orthodontic Technician in the Country” this man has been applauded numerous times by many other institutes and in his journey as a professional.

Gergen’s Orthodontic laboratory is one of the largest research centers in country. From its beginning in 1984. Gergen’s currently employees 85 experts, the focal objective of this research center is to fortify the Sleep Health Profession by surrounding a dental and clinical multi-disciplinary approach to manage sleep medicine and overall health. The lab has broad involvement in sleep apnea devices. Gergen’s orthodontic lab is, biggest fabricator of the Herbst sleep appliance, which is broadly viewed as the most sturdy and successful oral machine for sleep. Back in 2004, David Gergen was awarded The National Leadership for Arizona Small Businessman, won it again in 2006! Gergen’s Orthodontic Lab has already positioned the Herbst as the premier oral appliance for snoring and sleep apnea. Also, David Gergen and his laboratory are endorsing the new VIVO’S appliance!

To know more, visit the website.

Address of the company

1745 W. Deer Valley Road
Building 1, Suite 112
Phoenix, AZ 85027
AZ Phone: 623-879-6066

David Gergen and Dr. Rod Willey

The next Intro to Sleep 101 course will be a two day event held in Dallas, TX on August 19-20. While all doctors and their staff members will benefit from the information provided, the agenda is going to focus on getting to the basics. It will be an in depth course on introduction to dental sleep medicine for anyone interested in treating OSA in their practice and also for the doctor who has a number of cases under their belt, but has trouble getting paid or successful results.

David Gergen, Executive Director of the ASBA and dental icon, designed the course to be taught by dentists who have formed their own business models for success. Gergen spearheaded the largest sleep apnea awareness event in the world which attracted 3,000 attendees in January 2016. After the event, Dr. Neal Seltzer of Long Island, NY stated, “David Gergen has done more for dental sleep medicine in the last four years than the entire industry has done in the last 30 combined.” Through the last four years, Gergen has brought NFL legends to the ASBA team that have become advocates to not only dental sleep medicine, but to the members of the academy as well. ASBA members have partnered with Pro Player Health Alliance and NFL stars such as Eric Dickerson, Tony Dorsett, Michael Irvin, Roy Green, Ed Too Tall Jones and Derek Kennard. It is almost certain that Gergen will be bringing iconic Cowboys to this event for autographs, pictures and possible marketing opportunities.

The keynote speaker will be Dr. Rod Willey, Diplomate of the ASBA and the largest standalone dental sleep practice in the country with over 60 cases/month and holds the record for 106 successfully treated cases in a single month. As a master of navigating the medical world, he will be teaching you techniques that will put you in network with insurance companies so you can spend your time and energy giving your patients a better quality of life instead of losing it on back end work. Dr. Stacey Layman- also a Diplomate of the ASBA- a proven winner in dental sleep medicine practicing in the beautiful Arrowhead Lakes Community of Arizona and Owner of Go Go Billing, will enlighten guests on the secrets to billing in office for oral appliance therapy. Additional speakers will spotlight staff training, things they wish they knew before treating sleep apnea and how to be more involved in the community. This course will give you an easy-to-follow cook book for success in dental sleep medicine.

Don’t let the amateurs teach you bad techniques. Learn from the experts who have years and thousands of cases behind them. Not only will you receive a wealth of information, attendees will be granted 16 CES and a membership with the ASBA. Sign up for Intro to Sleep 101 to receive instant access to the ASBA’s vast library of sleep articles, journals and papers. In addition, You will also receive Breathless, the official weekly newsletter of the ASBA.

To learn more about the American Sleep and Breathing Academy go to:

Americansleepandbreathingacademy.com

Event Details

Date:
August 19-20, 2016

Location:

Cooper Hotel and Conference Center
12230 Preston Road
Dallas, TX 75230

Any questions please call 602-478-9713 or direct them via email to info@myasba.com

The forgotten topic
If there is a topic in orthodontics that is chronically ignored and sometimes abused, I think most of us would agree, it is retention.

In fact, if you try to track down all of the articles written on retention since the specialty’s formation back in the early 1900s, it would only number a couple of hundred, while other aspects of orthodontics have been discussed nearly ad nauseam.

But retention—should we be ignoring this important part of treatment like this?

I know, nothing makes for a more frustrating day like several college students home for the holidays with lost or broken retainers and several rotated teeth, no responsible parents in sight, and a crowded waiting room. Some practice consultants advocate not seeing these patients ever again!

Is that a way to build a practice dependent on new patients replacing the ones that are treated? I dare say not!

It’s no secret that once the bill has been paid, the teeth are straight and a patient gets retainers, there’s not a lot more for an orthodontist to do. But as the model of orthodontic care continues to evolve, I propose that there will be the standalone practices where the orthodontist visits on a daily basis in an established practice and the corporate model, which addresses that population of patients in retention. And, frankly, those of us wishing to control the business may want to keep these patients coming back.

Reason for ignoring the issue
Ever since a classic article written in the ’80s by Little and others, we have been aware of the fact that teeth do continue to move, no matter how they are treated. I always smirk when I hear speakers brag about their results and insinuate that because of their specific treatment approach, the teeth that they have aligned will maintain themselves.

In an article entitled “Retention, Retainers May Be Forever,” the modern-day challenges of keeping teeth straight are discussed by Parker. This clever clinician documents various patients in retention and comes to the conclusion that if there is something in orthodontics that is unpredictable, it is maintaining straight teeth.

He admits to the fact that even the patients with the least problems in the beginning are often the most difficult to maintain.

Counting down

I have identified what I believe are the four elements of biology responsible for successful tooth movement. These same biological principles responsible for the process of orthodontic care are also responsible for relapse. They are the:

• process of tooth eruption
• growth of the patient
• function and position of the temporomandibular joint
• influence of facial muscles and airway.

For instance, consider the following factors as they relate to retention:

Contacts that slip or that were never perfectly aligned can lead to crowding. This would include teeth not positioned within the supporting bone.

Continued growth of the patient can place varying forces on the face musculature and alter the occlusion, which can cause crowding.

A changing TMJ can also alter the occlusal loading, resulting in teeth without opposition—leading to drifting.

Of course, digit habits lead to muscle imbalance, which once again places forces on the teeth probably stronger than the forces that we utilize to straighten the teeth.

All of these things point to a very simple question with very complex answers: What’s an orthodontist to do?

As advocated by Parker, explaining to patients that retention may be forever is our only choice.²Although it would be nice to have the magic treatment mechanics that ensure 100 percent success, this just isn’t the reality of today’s treatment options. All that we can do until that day comes is to work on increasing our retention batting average.

Our practice has devised a simple, cost-effective and ease-of-compliance system that we feel handles the majority of retention issues. We call it “the countdown to deband.”

As we approach the last several months of active care, the patient is advised that he or she will soon have the appliances removed and enter the retention phase.

A panoramic X-ray is made and appointments are scheduled for re-bracketing if necessary, and a couple more visits to detail and finish. During each of the next appointments, some posterior braces are removed, the occlusion is adjusted and settled, and final elastics are prescribed if necessary.

Retainer types
As we enter this period, the patient is given retainer options, depending on our suggestions.

We include—as a standard—vacuum or pressure-formed clear retainers as suggested by Rowland and others,³ because of this method’s scientific support. Also, we are able to manufacture them in the office quickly and affordably.

One of the options, for an additional fee, is a bonded lower and upper retainer, but only when the hygiene and occlusion permit. This option, suggested and supported by Zachrisson,⁴ has been proven to maintain tooth alignment as long as the set is intact.

For others, we suggest the retention product from Invisalign, Vivera, which gives the patient four sets of retainers.

With new scanning technology, most of these can be made in advance of the final debanding appointment, allowing for no time between removal of the appliance and the delivery of the retainer.

Many say that these options should be included in the original fee and, to some extent, I agree. However, patient compliance and treatment results vary, as do costs and materials. Having options at the conclusion of treatment allows for some financial adjustments, as well as the ability to take advantage of new technology, such as scanning and colored acrylics.

There are multiple types of retainers with many clasp designs. It’s often difficult for middle and high school kids to comply with wearing these types of retainers.

Final thoughts
Our philosophy continues to be that wearing a retainer—of whatever type—is what’s most important. The type is not relevant.

Retainers are delivered and we insist on full-time wear for three months, followed by nights only after that.

Third molars are discussed and their removal suggested in most situations, even though the science is still inconclusive on that topic.

The comment we make to patients is that it is better to have them removed on the patient’s schedule, rather than the third molar’s schedule.

These days, we offer bleaching, suggest bonding of small laterals by selected dentists, and enroll siblings.

The topic of retention may be ignored in the literature, but definitely not in our practice.

References

1. Little, R.M., An evaluation of changes in mandibular anterior alignment from 10 to 20 years postretention AJO/DO 1988;93:423-8
2. Parker, W.S. Retention, Retainers may be forever AJO/DO 2007;95:505-13
3. Rowland,H., The effectiveness of Hawley and vacuum-formed retainers: A single-center randomized controlled trial: AJO/DO 2007: 132:730-37
4. Zachrisson, B.U., Long Term experience with direct bonded retainers: Update and clinical advice JCO 2007 XLI Number 12 728-37

Dr. Daniel Grob graduated from Marquette University, where he received all of his dental, orthodontic and prosthodontic education. He was also honored with numerous awards, including the OKU honorary dental fraternity, as well as the ASN honorary Jesuit fraternity. Grob received the American Society of Dentistry for Children senior student award for his exemplary work with young patients.

• How can the dental practice identify patients at risk of sleep apnea
• How can the dental practice qualify patients with sleep apnea for the services I provide
• What are the techniques and tools required for the dentist to treat the patients obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
• How can the dental office get paid for the treatment provided

It seems that as the field grows the number of answers to the above questions become more difficult to get. David Gergen has often lamented the lack of objective non vendor sponsored training. Many of the weekend courses that are offered around the country sell out of date equipment or simply do not stick to the literature. The American Sleep and Breathing academy is focused on evidence based, non commercial team training and is on record as the fastest growing sleep academy in the country. Read the material below and I will see you at the meeting in April.

SLEEP AND WELLNESS ANNUAL CONFERENCE, THE HOUR IS GETTING LATE!

Dr. Erin Elliott

April 15-16, Scottsdale, AZ. It is time to register for the most engaging sleep meeting of the year. In under 30 days the American Sleep and Breathing Academy ‘ASBA’ will host its sixth annual Sleep & Wellness conference; each meeting larger than the year prior.

The ASBA is the first inclusive sleep academy, meaning we want all of our members to be certified by us as competent providers and practicing in the medical model. The Academy is home to the most successful dentists practicing sleep in the country. At our annual conference you will have an opportunity to hear from industry powerhouses such as Dr. Erin Elliott, the current ASBA President, who was not even on the sleep radar four years ago, however in a short time, has become one of the most recognizable Dentists in the industry.

The conference will feature Dr. Rod Willey, the single most successful dentist in the industry, who still holds the national record for billing 106 cases in a single month; the head of a 3.5 million dollar a year, stand alone, sleep practice. Rod is going to give you a step by step cook book for success. Congressman Marty Russo who will be speaking on how oral appliance reimbursement is increasing with the U.S Government while C-PAP reimbursement has been decreased by another 25%. More importantly, he will be discussing what this means for the industry. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet David Gergen, who is putting dentists with NFL greats around the country for treatment of OSA. Just last month, Gergen’s public awareness event, in Phoenix, AZ, was attended by over 3000 people to learn about treatment of OSA. The office made over 260 appointments. In addition to these VIP guests that you’re able to learn from, chronic care management opportunities will be presented by Dr. Miller. All this is only available to members of the ASBA.

Dr. Kent Smith

Dr. Kent Smith who, at one time, paid $180,000 a year on radio marketing ads to generate 20 patients a month. Kent’s new philosophy is to use chronic care, and an integrated system with medical specialists in his area, to generate over 30 appliances a month. This frees up time and resources to allow Kent to take lavish vacations to Italy and enjoy more time with his family while the practice continues to grow. Kent will share his valuable insights on the success of a dental practice at the ASBA meeting. While all this may seem overwhelming for any greenhorn in the industry, fortunately the annual meeting has something for you as well. There will be staff training for intro to sleep, medical billing, and one on one time with doctors for intro to sleep. Doctors who, just three years ago, were in your shoes and are now making an honest and rewarding living with ASBA training.

Dr. Kevin Mueller will teach you how to restore a sleep case, how to take a proper sleep bite and, through restorative dentistry, eliminate
the need for oral appliances. His revolutionary process and successful outcomes have made Kevin one of the top sleep doctors in the world. This is a rare opportunity for you to learn from a true expert in the industry. His 30 years of experience personally trained by Dr. Robert Rickets and Dr. Ed Spiegel puts Kevin a whole other league.

What makes the ASBA different? 

The ASBA is truly the cream of the crop when it comes to Sleep Apnea Training.  Our 700+ ASBA members are all being walked thru the process step by step to ensure they are ALL seeing a large number of oral appliance patients per month. How do we ensure this happens? The ASBA has study clubs that meet every other month. This helps to ensure that our members are learning from the most successful sleep dentists in the country. To be a mentor at one of these study clubs, you must have, at least, a 1.5 million dollar per year sleep practice. Having the opportunity to learn from these mentors at these study clubs helps to maximize your success.

Chronic Care Management: what is it? 

For a dentist, it’s an opportunity to bring something to the physicians where they can have residual income and a built in mechanism for oral appliance therapy.

ASBA Diplomat status

As a member, you have an opportunity for diplomacy with the ASBA. The credentialing doctors are Paul Van Walleghem, Professor Peter Chase of the University Pacific, and Professor Kevin Mueller of Midwestern University.

“Truth is, there are not enough competent providers of Dental Sleep Medicine in this country, and the ASBA is correcting that problem. The ASBA is an academy for the most experienced sleep doctors as well as the greenhorns in the industry” – Paul Van Walleghem DDS, FAGD, DABDSM, DASBA

More information regarding criteria and testing can be found HERE 

Book your rooms for the annual meeting as soon as possible to lock in the $184 rate. The date is fast approaching and rooms are going quickly. They will double in price in the next few weeks. Links to book your room as well as to the ASBA website are:

ASBA site:

http://www.americansleepandbreathingacademy.com

Registration Members $395 non Members $895 :

https://www.cvent.com/events/sleep-wellness-2016-the-premier-conference-for-sleep-health-professionals/registration-ba1b385e27b042e7aa98a865e3c4e9da.aspx

• fit and finish of the appliances need to be of the highest quality.
• Patient comfort is paramount so the ability to move the jaw laterally as well as being able to talk with the appliance in place is also critical.
• Adjustability of the appliance is critical in order to meet ADSM guidelines.
• there must be enough play in the device to accommodate slight errors in impression technique.
•  the appliance needs to meet the reimbursement standard set by medical and federal insurance payors.

The clear favorite here at Gergen’s ortho for all of these attributes is the Herbst appliance. The article below was written by David Gergen as a weekly column for SleepScholar.com.

SLEEP HERBST APPLIANCE IS BETTER THAN YOU THINK

A Dentist was recently audited by his state board compliance committee for treating a patient with a Herbst sleep apnea appliance.  It was reported that this particular patient was not given a diagnostic sleep test prior to receiving treatment. A vindictive ex-staff member of this particular practice, who was the former Sleep Apnea Coordinator, turned the doctor into the state board.

In fact the Dentist assumed there had been a home sleep study done and began treatment via the Herbst appliance. In the chart notes, the Dr. had noted sleep bruxism and this particular patient was paying on a cash basis, not using his/her medical insurance.

As it turned out, This is yet another case of why the Herbst appliance is a Dr’s. best friend. The Herbst appliance has been in used in dentistry since 1909, it can be used to treat bruxism, TMJ, snoring and OSA.  If this particular patient had been given a monoblock appliance or OSA mouthpiece whose FDA intended use is exclusively sleep apnea the story would have turned out very differently. The Dr could have been found guilty by the State Board because a monoblock cannot be used to treat nocturnal bruxism and there is no other dental application for the appliance.

 

 

The Sleep Herbst Appliance is a mandibular re-positioning device that has been in use since 1909 in orthodontic and TMJ therapy, prior to its modification for treatment of sleep disordered breathing. I first learned about the Herbst appliance back in the 1980’s. Dr. Gene Williamson from  Atlanta was using it to treat TMJ at the time. Dr. Ed Spiegel began using and teaching the Herbst technique to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) based on reports of successful snoring results for TMJ patients. The Herbst Sleep Appliance has been proven to be effective on chronic snoring and mild to moderate OSA sufferers.

The Sleep Herbst Appliance is extremely successful in the treatment of nocturnal bruxism due to the fact it allows patients to move laterally and vertically without disengaging the appliance. It has been shown that patients who suffer from nocturnal bruxism tend to move their jaw in a motion that resembles the figure eight. The lateral movement built into a Herbst allows the patient to move the jaw freely. This movement allows synovial fluid to flow freely through the joint, resulting in less jaw discomfort and/or occlusal changes for the patient. This benefit is not found in monoblock appliances.

Key to the function of the Sleep Herbst Appliance is the adjustable telescoping arms on the sides of the appliance. If it is determined that the initial position does not provide the anticipated relief of the condition, the mandible can easily be moved forward by the Telescopic version allowing the clinician to advance in 1/8 mm increments by making one full turn of the protrusion collar up to 4 mm from the start

position. At Gergens Orthodontic Laboratory, we start each appliance at +1 so you can retrude 1 mm. The appliance can be fabricated from hard acrylic, thermoactive and soft materials and is tooth retained via friction grip or clasps. The greatest advantage of the Herbst appliance is that it allows for very quick, easy and accurate mandibular protrusive adjustability. This is accomplished through simple manipulation of the rod/sleeve plunger mechanism. Vertical opening varies, however it is usually 5 mm, there is limited freedom of movement for the mandible in a lateral direction. Bilateral inter-arch elastics are recommended to keep the mouth closed during sleep. A mouth closed posture will allow a lip seal allowing the patient to breathe through the nose or to use CPAP as a complimentary therapy.

There is no midline connection on the Sleep Herbst Appliance which helps extremely with claustrophobic patients. Some clinicians feel that limited lateral movement of the lower jaw during appliance use is beneficial for TMJ comfort while others believe it is of no benefit.

Also, some clinicians find compromised effectiveness if the mandible is allowed to drop down even as much as a millimeter during appliance use while others find no difference. These are both areas that require more scientific research. We are presently unaware of the precise effect of these parameters on appliance effectiveness.  At Gergen’s Sleep Appliance Lab we make more of this appliance than all other appliances combined.

On the marketing side David Gergen is the single point of contact for the dentist. Davids personal commitment to his dentist customer means that he is available on his phone any time the customer needs him. There is no sales team at Gergen’s Orthodontic lab David speaks for the customer and the work speaks for itself.

David Gergen CDT Leads the way in the Dental Sleep Apnea Field

SleepScholar.com

David Gergen executive director of the American Sleep and Breathing Academy has worked very hard to position mild to moderate sleep apnea as a predominantly dental condition. Often patients with sleep apnea at these levels are treated with CPAP without the option of an oral appliance. Often because the sleep physician is unaware or untrained in the use of these appliances or because there are no suitably trained dentists in the local area.

It was for this reason that David Gergen founded the dental wing of the American Sleep and Breathing Academy. The ASBA as it is known in dental circles has established itself in just 4 years as the premier training program for dentists who treat sleep apnea clinically. Just this past weekend 20 dentists from all over the country came to Scottsdale AZ for an advanced course to prepare them for diplomacy in this prestigious organization. The next diplomacy review course is on March 12 2016 click here for information

ASBA Diplomate Review Course February 2016

The ASBA has an annual conference in Scottsdale AZ, This year it will be April 15 and 16 2016 click here for information. This conference is widely recognized as the most accessible sleep apnea dentistry program available.

David Gergen has worked tirelessly to advance the cause of Sleep Apnea Dentistry for the last 10 years. but it was not always so…

David Gergen rolled out of bed on December 4, 1982, and had his career “aha” moment. Gergen knew he was going to be an orthodontic technician, and he knew he was going to help people all over the country. Since then, he has built one of America’s most successful dental labs in Phoenix, Arizona, revolutionized the sleep industry through oral appliances and special programs, and was once voted top dental laboratory technician in the country.

For more than 20 years in Phoenix, Gergen spent the fall coaching POP Warner football and/or high school football. Most of the important lessons of his life were learned either watching football legends, creating challenges for himself on the field, or teaching children the values of courage and teamwork on the field.

It comes as no surprise that Gergen, father of nine children, would focus a good deal of his professional life to helping children achieve their goals. Gergen is a certified dental technician, and some would say a master technician that children and adults have relied on for excellent results.

In his professional life, Gergen worked to straighten teeth for cosmetic reasons, and to help create functional oral structures for patients with severe trauma or developmental issues. Recently, attention has turned to the effects of poor jaw position on children. “A small airway often forces children to breathe through their mouth and posture their head forward resulting in rounded shoulders and back problems,” explains Gergen. “Continuing this position over many years will create permanent changes in posture. Poor breathing habits can result in heart and lung problems in later life.”

After 30 years of establishing better jaw and tooth function through orthodontics, Gergen decided that he was going to focus on the airway. His pediatric sleep appliance is a direct result of all of this experience and experimentation. Despite the growing evidence, Gergen laments that, “Some clinicians still believe that oral appliances are ineffective. As a dental sleep industry, I don’t think we’ve done a good enough job educating the public and physicians.”

Gergen’s pediatric sleep appliance is worn on the child’s upper and lower teeth, and gives dentists an opportunity to guide the growth of patients’ teeth— more importantly, the jaw and the airway. Expansion of the upper jaw will create more room for the tongue to posture forward and open the airway.

“The simple shape and construction of the lower appliance will help stage the growth of the child’s teeth allowing the dentist to control the growth rates of the teeth for maximum cosmetic and palliative effect,” enthuses Gergen. “One of the best parts of the treatment is that all the time this growth is being controlled, the jaw is held slightly forward creating an open airway leading to better and deeper sleep patterns.”

Gergen has been working with Hall of Fame NFL great Mike Haynes, whose son is Pop Warner age and grinds his teeth in his sleep. This is what drove Gergen to come up with the first pediatric sleep appliance.

Mike Haynes is no stranger to health issues from his experience with prostate cancer and concussions. Both Gergen and Haynes know the value of an oral appliance worn during the day, or while playing a sport. Proper jaw position has been shown to improve agility, performance, and strength.

David Gergen was the personal lab technician of Dr Ricketts widely recognized as an icon and innovative thinker in the field of orthodontics. Dr Ricketts developed and taught a phonetic bite registration technique that was all taught by Dr Ed Spiegel who is recognized as if not the father of sleep apnea dentistry certainly as a very well regarded uncle. David Gergen teaches the Ricketts phonetic bite at all ASBA meetings as the go to sleep apnea appliance bite registration. This is the same bite that is demonstrated at courses for $8 to $10K often renamed as some kind of vanity procedure. See below a demonstration of the phonetic bite registration as Dr Ricketts developed it.

In a 2012 dental conference in Las Vegas, Dr. Gelb paid Gergen a high compliment, saying, “David Gergen is the finest technician ever to live. He is heads and tails above the competition.” Gergen was honoring Dr. Gelb for his 65th year in dentistry at the presentation, and Dr. Gelb also mentioned, “There are two legends in this room.”

“To say that David Gergen is a leader in the field of sleep apnea is to describe the part that is most obvious to all,” adds Rudi M. Ferrate, MD, DABSM and Sleep medicine specialist. “The part most people miss at first is the strength of his character, his passion for excellence, and his humble desire to help as many people as possible. He could easily sit back and enjoy the fruits of his business, but instead he spends his time and resources promoting education and awareness about sleep disorders. He is single handedly the most important force bringing sleep physicians and sleep dentists together and now is using his skills and reputation to bring everyone else on board—from legislators to sports legends.”

When Gergen decided to change the world of sleep medicine, it seemed like something outside the realms of possibility. How could a certified dental lab tech from Arizona manifestly change the sleep industry? It began by assembling a winning team and deciding to help people treat their sleep disorders in partnership with their dentists.

In August 2011, Gergen’s first training program in sleep was presented to a group of 25 doctors in Sonoma, Calif. He continues to hold special seminars and educational meetings. In a market where there are companies running dental sleep medicine programs every week, each successive Gergen’s Orthodontic Lab program has gotten better in one really significant
way: the team.

Gergen’s Orthodontic Lab’s team is achieving a seasoned balance that makes these meetings better. Each educator has his specialty. Each topic is covered thoroughly without overreach that comes from trying to extrapolate data points to gloss over the unknown or unknowable. When Gergen was Arizona’s most successful POP Warner football coach, he learned that individual efforts often do not make the grade, and it is teams that win.

Gergen’s new meetings will be remembered as the first time that retired NFL players used their celebrity status to introduce the urgent need for sleep diagnosis and therapy to the general public.

He could easily sit back and enjoy the fruits of his business, but instead he spends his time and resources promoting education and awareness about sleep disorders.

“Pro Player Health Alliance was created to treat the sleep health needs of retired NFL players,” explains Gergen, “while at the same time raising awareness of sleep apnea as a silent killer.” Carl Eller, Larry Fitzgerald, Warren Moon, Roy Green, Dave Krieg, Isiah Robertson, Eric Dickerson, Mike Haynes, Tony Dorsett, Matt Blair, Chuck Foreman, and Derrek Kennard were all excellent football players, and some have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. They are all sleep apnea patients who are contributing to the field of sleep medicine and sharing their experiences with the general public.

With long-time friend, Dr. Elliott Alpher, Gergen met with the Secretary of the Department of Transportation, and his cabinet, on behalf of the Trucker’s Union, to begin using his oral appliance, made with a micro-recorder manufactured by Braebon. The micro-reader can monitor commercial
truck drivers’ compliance.

David Gergens works with Congress on Sleep Reform in Transportation

David Gergen At a Glance

• CDT and president of Pro Player Health Alliance and Gergen’s Orthodontic Lab;

• Honored as “The Finest Orthodontic Technician in the Country” by Columbus Dental in 1986.

• Executive Director the American Sleep and Breathing Academy, a national interdisciplinary academy dedicated to sleep training and education with over 60,000 members.

• Personal technician for Dr. Robert Ricketts, Dr. Ronald Roth, Dr. A. Paul Serrano, Dr. Clark Jones, Dr. Harold Gelb, Dr. Joseph R. Cohen, Dr. Rodney Willey, Dr. Allan Bernstein, and Dr. Thien Pham.

• Winner of the National Leadership award for Arizona Small Businessman of the Year in 2004.

Sleep Team Leader Jason Wilson with Liane Wilson and Kaylea Harper

The event was presented at Padre Murphy’s Sports Bar and Grill and there were over 3000 people in attendance. David Gergen was the Master of Ceremonies introducing many current and former Cardinal greats including Roy Green, Larry Fitzgerald, Derek Kennard and many others. A highlight of the night was when Phoenix police chief Joseph Yahner awarded Roy Green and Larry Fitzgerald police chief for life honors.

Phoenix Police Chief awards Roy Green and Larry Fitzgerald police chief for life while David Gergen looks on

Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich was also a big part of this event his presentation focused on the importance of sleep health especially when operating motor vehicles and heavy equipment. It was great to hear his point of view and realize that the state is aware of this important health issue.

David Gergen Police Chief Joseph Yahner Attourney General Mark Brnovich Roy Green

It was very good to see the industry support from Arrowhead Pro Sleep Center and ZQuiet a predictor appliance for the immediate treatment of Snoring and Sleep Apnea.

“Events like this change the public perception of OSA and reduce the resistance to getting tested and treated, David and his team have contributed in a big way to changing the face of Sleep Apnea with this event” – Alan Hickey Director of the American Sleep and Breathing Academy