Dr. Michael Bennett hosts Sonnie Bocala on The More Than Teeth Podcast. They discuss their long friendship and collaboration in treating patients with pain and sleep disorders. Sonnie, owner of Apex Dental Sleep Lab, shares insights into his work on FDA-cleared oral sleep appliances and innovations in dental sleep medicine. Dr. Bennett recounts a recent experience with his father-in-law's cardiac and sleep disorders, emphasizing the importance of advocating for sleep health. They discuss the evolution and future of dental sleep technology, including less cumbersome appliances and the integration of AI and 3D printing. The episode highlights the growing collaboration between dentists and MDs, and the potential for hybrid clear aligner and EMA systems to improve patient outcomes.

01:06 Sonnie's Background and Expertise

01:47 A Personal Story: Father-in-Law's Medical Journey

03:42 The Importance of Sleep in Medical Treatment

07:19 Sonnie's Brother's Heart Attack and Sleep Apnea

09:10 Innovations in Dental Sleep Medicine

13:52 Advancements in Oral Appliances

16:08 Empowering Dentists with New Technology

20:12 Addressing Cranial Distortions and Postural Changes

20:34 Introduction to Hybrid Clear Aligner Systems

20:48 Combining Aligners with Airway Maintenance

21:24 Challenges and Solutions in Current Aligners

22:43 Direct to Print: The Future of Aligners

23:18 Clinical Trials and FDA Approval

25:00 Practical Applications and Future Prospects

26:14 Business Models for Dental Practices

31:45 Collaboration Between Dentists and MDs

36:53 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

If you found this episode valuable, share it with a colleague or friend who wants to breathe better, sleep deeper, and live healthier. Your support helps us expand the conversation around airway-focused care and whole-body wellness.

Together, we can move dentistry beyond the chair.

Michael Bennett, DDS, PhD

Board-Certified Dentist | Healthcare Professions Educator

Empowering total health through airway-focused dentistry

Advanced Dental Care – Dr. Bennett’s clinical practice and patient-centered services

Connect on LinkedIn – Join the movement for airway-first, total health dentistry

About Guest: Sonnie Bocala was born into a family with five generations of 16 Dentists, so it wasn’t a surprise when he decided to pursue the same career path. He graduated from San Diego State University in 2004 with a Bachelors in Cellular Molecular Micro-Biology. While awaiting acceptance to dental school he began working for a private practice as a dental assistant. Very quickly Sonnie found his passion in the dental lab side of the industry and assumed the position as Director of International Lab Certification for TMJ and Sleep Research International from 2004-2016. He opened T & S Dental Lab, which he owned and operated from 2006-2016. This is where he began his journey that has led him to where he is today; having lectured internationally on TMJ, Sleep Therapy and oral appliance designs, and trained and certified international dental labs on the fabrication of TMJ orthotics. Currently, Sonnie is the President and owner of Apex Dental Sleep Lab, President of Sketchpad Innovations, Developer and Patent holder of Kava Mandibular Advancement device and a manufacturing consultant to Oravan OSA.

From Diagnosis to Hope: Navigating Ehlers Danlos Syndrome

In this episode of 'The More Than Teeth Podcast,' Dr. Michael Bennett sits down with Jesse, a patient diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS). Jesse shares her powerful story of living with EDS, which includes symptoms like joint hypermobility, chronic pain, gastroparesis, sleep apnea, and severe headaches. Jesse reveals how her life improved dramatically through a collaborative approach with various healthcare providers, including Dr. Bennett. Emphasizing the importance of a holistic view in dental and medical treatments, she discusses the life-changing impact of a proper diagnosis and targeted treatment.

00:55 Understanding Ehlers Danlos Syndrome

02:09 Jessie's Early Symptoms and Diagnosis Journey

04:15 Living with EDS: Daily Struggles

07:57 Finding the Right Medical Support

12:56 Life Improvements and Motherhood with EDS

16:41 Building Better Relationships

17:36 Understanding Hypermobility and Dental Health

18:13 Personal Experiences with Dental Sensitivity

19:51 Systemic Nature of EDS

22:40 Impact of Sleep Apnea on Healing

25:05 The Financial and Emotional Costs of Treatment

27:33 Final Thoughts and Gratitude

If you found this episode valuable, share it with a colleague or friend who wants to breathe better, sleep deeper, and live healthier. Your support helps us expand the conversation around airway-focused care and whole-body wellness.

Together, we can move dentistry beyond the chair.

Michael Bennett, DDS, PhD

Board-Certified Dentist | Healthcare Professions Educator

Empowering total health through airway-focused dentistry

Advanced Dental Care – Dr. Bennett’s clinical practice and patient-centered services

Connect on LinkedIn – Join the movement for airway-first, total health dentistry

The Connection Between Leaky Gut Syndrome & Sleep

In this episode, we discuss the potential causes of chronic pain, focusing on the complex relationship between digestive health and conditions like headache, jaw, and facial pain. The discussion includes the case of a patient with chronic pain exacerbated by obstructive sleep apnea and digestive issues. The podcast highlights the role of leaky gut syndrome in systemic inflammation, reflex bruxism, and the connection between gut health and neurotransmitter production. Practical advice on improving gut health through nutrition, probiotics, and reducing sympathetic triggers is provided. The episode aims to enhance understanding of how treating the gut can contribute to resolving chronic craniofacial pain.

01:22 Case Study: Chronic Pain and Sleep Apnea

03:30 Exploring Leaky Gut Syndrome

07:02 Treatment Approaches for Leaky Gut

10:36 Understanding Leaky Gut Syndrome

14:46 Gut Health and Pain Connection

16:02 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

If you found this episode valuable, share it with a colleague or friend who wants to breathe better, sleep deeper, and live healthier. Your support helps us expand the conversation around airway-focused care and whole-body wellness.

Together, we can move dentistry beyond the chair.

Michael Bennett, DDS, PhD

Board-Certified Dentist | Healthcare Professions Educator

Empowering total health through airway-focused dentistry

Advanced Dental Care – Dr. Bennett’s clinical practice and patient-centered services

Connect on LinkedIn – Join the movement for airway-first, total health dentistry

Top Sleep Disorder Questions Every Dentist Should Ask Patients

In this episode, Dr. Michael Bennett and Cathy discuss the vital role dental professionals play in screening for sleep disorders like sleep apnea. They emphasize the ease and ethical importance of incorporating sleep-related questions into routine dental visits, similar to blood pressure or oral cancer checks. Various indicators such as scalloped tongues, high-vaulted palates, and behavioral cues in children are highlighted. The episode also covers practical tools like the STOP-BANG questionnaire and Epworth Sleepiness Score for effective screening. Additionally, the hosts talk about the impact of diet, hydration, and proper meal timing on sleep quality. They conclude with a teaser for the next episode focused on understanding the anatomy of the airway.

00:49 Importance of Sleep Screening

01:18 Screening Techniques and Indicators

04:28 Behavioral and Physical Signs

05:53 Screening Tools and Questionnaires

09:23 Nutritional Impact on Sleep

11:27 Personal Experiences and Final Thoughts

13:25 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview

Michael Bennett, DDS, PhD

Board-Certified Dentist | Healthcare Professions Educator

Empowering total health through airway-focused dentistry

Advanced Dental Care – Dr. Bennett’s clinical practice and patient-centered services

Connect on LinkedIn – Join the movement for airway-first, total health dentistry

How Undiagnosed Sleep Apnea Is Hiding in Your Dental Chair

In this episode, Dr. Michael Bennett and Cathy Bennett introduce a new series on the interconnectedness of airway health and overall wellness, particularly focusing on the importance of dental screenings for sleep-related breathing disorders. The discussion highlights the significance of dental health as a gateway to detecting sleep apnea, which often goes undiagnosed and can lead to severe health consequences like Alzheimer's, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and more. They stress the role of dentists in early detection and the benefits of treating sleep apnea for improved healthcare outcomes. The episode underscores the barriers dentists face in incorporating sleep screening into their practice and the need for a team-oriented approach to overcome these challenges. Finally, they advocate for rebranding dental hygiene exams as comprehensive wellness screenings to better serve patient health.

00:44 The Importance of Dental Visits for Health Screening

01:30 Identifying Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders

03:35 The Silent Epidemic of Undiagnosed Sleep Apnea

06:10 Economic and Health Impacts of Sleep Disorders

06:58 Barriers to Dental Screening for Sleep Disorders

09:57 The Role of Dentists in Sleep Disorder Screening

12:47 Holistic Wellness and the Importance of Sleep

15:56 Conclusion: Implementing Sleep Screenings in Dental Practice

Michael Bennett, DDS, PhD

Board-Certified Dentist | Healthcare Professions Educator

Empowering total health through airway-focused dentistry

Advanced Dental Care – Dr. Bennett’s clinical practice and patient-centered services

Connect on LinkedIn – Join the movement for airway-first, total health dentistry

A Neurologist’s View on Sleep with Dr. Stasha Gominak

In this engaging podcast episode, Dr. Michael Bennett invites Dr. Stasha Gominak to discuss their shared passion for leveraging the body’s healing properties of sleep. Dr. Gominak shares her journey from being a neurologist to becoming a sleep coach, highlighting the unique relationships she discovered between sleep and overall health. She delves into how deficiencies in vitamin D and B, as well as the microbiome, affect sleep quality and suggests practical interventions. Dr. Gominak also discusses how sleep dentistry practitioners can integrate these concepts into their practices to improve patient outcomes. The episode concludes with Dr. Bennett and Dr. Gominak reflecting on the importance of patient-centered care and pushing through professional challenges to innovate in their respective fields.

01:11 Dr. Stasha Mak's Background

01:54 Transition from Neurology to Sleep Coaching

02:25 Insights from Sleep Dentists

04:56 The Importance of Human Connection in Medicine

06:06 Energy Coaches and Spiritual Connection

07:05 New Ideas in Medicine and Intention Setting

09:10 Challenges and Rewards of Sleep Coaching

11:24 Patient Stories and Discoveries in Sleep Medicine

12:26 Exploring Sleep Disorders and Treatments

16:18 The Role of Brain Chemistry in Sleep

25:52 Vitamin Deficiencies and Sleep

28:05 The Importance of Vitamin D

31:35 The Importance of Vitamin D in Hormonal Balance

32:31 The Pioneering Work of Walter Stump

37:05 The Impact of Vitamin D on Sleep and Immunity

39:08 Challenges in Vitamin D Research and Application

49:25 The Role of Microbiome and B Vitamins

56:34 Integrating Vitamin D and Microbiome Knowledge in Practice

01:06:14 Future Directions and Final Thoughts

If you found this episode valuable, share it with a colleague or friend who wants to breathe better, sleep deeper, and live healthier. Your support helps us expand the conversation around airway-focused care and whole-body wellness.

Together, we can move dentistry beyond the chair.

Michael Bennett, DDS, PhD

Board-Certified Dentist | Healthcare Professions Educator

Empowering total health through airway-focused dentistry

Advanced Dental Care – Dr. Bennett’s clinical practice and patient-centered services

Connect on LinkedIn – Join the movement for airway-first, total health dentistry

Answers from an E.N.T. Perspective with Dr. Kirt Beus

In this podcast episode, Dr. Michael Bennett welcomes his colleague and friend, Dr. Kirk Beus, to discuss their collaborative work in treating patients' airway and oral health issues. Dr. Beus shares his journey into becoming an ENT and his focus on less invasive treatments for nasal and thyroid issues. The discussion emphasizes the importance of nasal breathing for proper facial development in children and how issues such as crowded teeth and TMJ disorders can be linked to airway problems. They also touch on the role of nutrition in nasal congestion and the benefits of a holistic approach in combined dental and ENT practices. The episode concludes with practical advice for professionals and the public on maintaining better nasal and ear health.

01:00 Dr. Beus's Journey to ENT

01:45 Advancements in ENT Treatments

02:25 The Connection Between Dental Crowding and Airway Issues

07:07 The Role of Nutrition in Facial Development

12:12 TMJ Disorders and Ear Symptoms

15:13 Ear Health Tips and COVID-19 Considerations

17:28 Conclusion and Key Takeaways

If you found this episode valuable, share it with a colleague or friend who wants to breathe better, sleep deeper, and live healthier. Your support helps us expand the conversation around airway-focused care and whole-body wellness.

Together, we can move dentistry beyond the chair.

Michael Bennett, DDS, PhD

Board-Certified Dentist | Healthcare Professions Educator

Empowering total health through airway-focused dentistry

Advanced Dental Care – Dr. Bennett’s clinical practice and patient-centered services

Connect on LinkedIn – Join the movement for airway-first, total health dentistry

Sleep and Airway Centered Dentistry with Dr. Lyly Fisher

In this podcast episode, Dr. Michael Bennett converses with Dr. Lyly Fisher, a dentist practicing in Renton, Washington. They delve into Dr. Fisher's career journey, starting with her practice over 26 years ago, and discuss her decision to go out of network with Delta Dental to maintain a personal touch with her patients. The conversation highlights Dr. Fisher's integration of the Vivos system and her growing focus on airway and sleep-centered care. They explore the importance of understanding the root causes of dental issues, linking them to overall health, and the potential for dentists to address broader health concerns due to their frequent patient interactions. The discussion also touches on the evolving role of dentists as oral physicians, working in coordination with medical professionals to improve patient wellness and prevent chronic diseases.

01:18 Dr. Fisher's Background and Practice

02:08 Challenges and Changes in Dental Practice

03:35 Exploring Airway and Sleep-Centered Dentistry

07:16 Patient Success Stories

11:49 The Role of Dentists in General Health

16:03 Future of Dentistry and Collaborative Care

21:49 Advice for Dentists and General Public

26:54 Conclusion and Farewell

If you found this episode valuable, share it with a colleague or friend who wants to breathe better, sleep deeper, and live healthier. Your support helps us expand the conversation around airway-focused care and whole-body wellness.

Together, we can move dentistry beyond the chair.

Michael Bennett, DDS, PhD

Board-Certified Dentist | Healthcare Professions Educator

Empowering total health through airway-focused dentistry

Advanced Dental Care – Dr. Bennett’s clinical practice and patient-centered services

Connect on LinkedIn – Join the movement for airway-first, total health dentistry