Protrusive Dental Podcast

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 PracticeJoin 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.

What do you actually do once you’ve screened a patient for airway or sleep-disordered breathing? You suspect sleep apnea—but since we can’t diagnose it as dentists, how does that influence the care you provide? What do you do with that information, and who should you be working with to help your patient? And what if you want to implement airway into your practice—but you’re not in the right environment to do so? In this episode, Dr. Aston Parmar joins Jaz to break down how to implement airway in everyday dentistry. Together, they explore what happens after screening, how it influences treatment planning, and how dentists can work with other professionals to deliver better care. https://youtu.be/wGbgbW8muUI Watch PDP262 on YouTube Protrusive Dental Pearl Use the Mallampati Score as a quick chairside airway screen: have the patient open wide and stick out their tongue. Grade 1 = low risk; higher grades indicate greater Sleep-Disordered Breathing risk.  ⚠️ In TMD patients, limited opening can give falsely high scores.  ✅ Always interpret alongside history and full exam. Key Takeaways Airway management is often overlooked in dental education. Sleep testing can significantly improve patient outcomes. Dentists should focus on airway health to enhance sleep quality. Collaboration with orthodontists can benefit patient care. Myofunctional therapy is crucial for both children and adults. Early intervention before age six is vital for nasal breathing. Tongue function plays a significant role in dental health. Breathing patterns can affect orthodontic stability. The Malampati score is a key indicator of sleep disorder risk. Upper airway resistance syndrome can be difficult to diagnose. Collaboration with myofunctional therapists enhances patient outcomes. Understanding airway health is essential for total body health. Inspiring the next generation of dental professionals is important. Highlights of this episode: 00:00 Teaser 00:51 Introduction 04:03 Protrusive Dental Pearl: Mallampati Score 05:37 Meet Dr. Aston Parmar 09:51 Journey into Dentistry 17:10 Implementing Training in Practice 22:41 First Exposure to Airway Concept 30:18 South Wales Dental Sleep Clinic Model 30:21 Midroll 33:42 South Wales Dental Sleep Clinic Model 41:17 Myofunctional Therapy Explained 48: 51 Orthodontic Stability and Neutral Zone 54:52 Quickfire Screening Red Flags 01:02:55 Sleep Apnea Basics 01:04:23 Upper Area Resistance Syndrome (UARS) 01:08:53 Outro Want more? Check out Airway Dentistry with Jeff Rouse – PDP229 🦷 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 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 a practical, data-driven framework for identifying airway-related risks, understanding myofunctional therapy, and integrating sleep screening into routine dental assessment. Dentists will be able to – Recognize key airway and sleep-related risk factors during routine dental examinations. 2. Understand the role of myofunctional therapy in improving airway function and orthodontic stability. 3. Apply simple chairside screening methods to identify patients who may require further airway assessment.

Are AI receptionists here to take over your practice? How do they actually work, and what can they do—or not do—for your team? Could they make life easier for staff without replacing humans, or are they just a gimmick? In this episode, award-winning dentist and marketing expert Dr. Grant McAree joins Jaz to break down AI receptionists. Together, they explore what an AI receptionist really is, how it integrates with your practice, and the compliance and legal considerations every dentist should know. They also dive into the bigger picture—who these systems are really for, how patient interactions are managed, and a live demonstration of an AI receptionist in action that shows exactly what it can—and can’t—do for your practice. https://youtu.be/Jx-0jOZG3lE Watch IC070 on YouTube Key Takeaways: AI receptionists are evolving to provide better patient interactions. Data insights reveal significant gaps in patient communication. The technology is designed to assist, not replace human receptionists. AI can help streamline appointment bookings and patient inquiries. Understanding patient needs is crucial for effective AI responses. Customization of AI responses is essential for different practices. The future of AI in dentistry looks promising but requires careful implementation. AI should not be seen as a replacement but as a tool for efficiency. Compliance and data storage are critical in patient interactions. The integration of AI can lead to improved patient experiences. YouTube Highlights: 00:00 Teaser 05:06 Meet Dr. Grant McAree 07:32 Grant’s Journey to AI 11:03 AI Gold Rush and Inequality 11:56 Interjection 14:01 AI Gold Rush and Inequality 15:59 Compliance and Legal Risks 18:42 What an AI Receptionist Does 20:54 Midroll 24:16 What an AI Receptionist Does 26:51 Comparing AI to Human Receptionists 32:47 Leads Data and Compliance 36:38 Future Adoption and Risks 42:46 Additional Features and Learning More 43:30 Jaz Call to AI Receptionist 46:01 Outro Unlock the future of patient consultations! 🎯 Join my free course and learn how to use smart glasses + flamingo camera to give patients a live guided tour of their mouth—showing cracks, stains, and all the details in real time. ✅ Step-by-step setup ✅ Compatible with all loupes ✅ Tips to maximize patient trust and conversion ✅ PDF guides and tutorials included DM me FLAMINGO on Instagram or Click Here to enroll before I start charging! Don’t miss out on this wow-factor technology. Check out RoboReception—an AI receptionist and lead tracker that captures interactions and streamlines practice workflow. If you want to dive deeper into AI, check out Practical AI for Dentistry – Save Time, Achieve More #InterferenceCast #BeyondDentistry This episode is eligible for 0.75 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance. This episode meets GDC Outcomes A AGD Subject Code: 550 PRACTICE MANAGEMENT AND HUMAN RELATIONS Aim To understand the role, capabilities, compliance requirements, and practical integration of AI reception systems in dental practices. Dentists will be able to – Identify key functions and limitations of AI reception systems in dentistry. Understand compliance and legal risks associated with AI in both NHS and private settings. Recognize practical strategies for integrating AI to support staff without replacing them.