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A Personal Story
Why is Dr. Criss Passionate About Sleep Apnea Relief?
"It really goes back to my dad. He was kinda the joke in the family, he was a terrible snorer. He would wake up at night gagging. The doctors were trying to figure out why he was having so many issues. During the course of trying to figure out why he was struggling he had sudden cardiac death and passed away at age 48."
"The more I study about sleep apnea, I have no doubt in my mind that he suffered from undiagnosed sleep apnea. This was in the early 80's, CPAP's weren't really talked about back then, and I can't help but think that if he'd received the treatment that he should have he'd probably very well be alive today. Because of that I'm very passionate about sleep apnea"
- Dr. Brian Criss
4 Easy Steps to a
Restful Night’s Sleep
1. Speak with a Sleep Doctor
We work together with your sleep doctor to determine your level of apnea and whether you have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or central sleep apnea (CSA). If you suffer from OSA oral appliance treatment may be a great alternative to traditional treatments such as CPAP.
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2. Consult with Dr. Criss
Before fitting you with an oral appliance, we’ll take x-rays and a mold of your teeth. This is to make a custom appliance that will promote proper breathing while you sleep, without changing the alignment of your teeth.
3. Get an Oral Appliance
We’ll fit you with your custom made oral appliance to wear while you sleep, to help improve breathing. It looks and feels similar to a mouth guard. Your appliance will feel comfortable all night long because it’s custom-fit to your mouth!
4. Start Sleeping Better
After just a few nights wearing your oral appliance, you’ll start to experience results. This includes sleeping more soundly through the night, waking more refreshed, less snoring and more energy to start the day right.
Restful Night’s Sleep
Dr. Criss received his Bachelor’s of Social Work (BSW) degree from the University of Wyoming. He received his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from the University of Nebraska. Dr. Criss has been in private practice for over 27 years in Rapid City, SD. Dr. Criss has limited his practice to treating Sleep Apnea and TMJ, and thrives on the life-changing improvements he is able to bring to his patients through improved sleep and TMJ relief.
Dr. Criss brings his expertise to sleep disorders, finding the best solution to help patients get a good night’s rest, thus improving their overall quality of life. Working with top physicians and sleep study clinics, Dr. Criss has been able to obtain the highest level of care for patients who suffer from sleep apnea and snoring. Our entire team works together to make sure the process is comprehensive and simplified, taking care of each patient personally.
Dr. Criss is a member of the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, the American Sleep and Breathing Academy, and the only Diplomate of the AADSM in western South Dakota.
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A Convenient Alternative to CPAP
Oral Appliance Therapy
These devices are custom fitted by Dr. Criss who has special expertise and training in treating sleep apnea. They fit in the mouth, similar to a retainer or mouth guard. They open your airway by moving your lower jaw and tongue forward while you sleep. They are small, comfortable and effective.
Insurance / Payment Options
Most medical insurance plans cover oral appliance therapy for treating sleep apnea. Our experienced team will contact your medical insurance carrier on your behalf, gather information about your plan, and then help you understand your coverage. Should you choose to move forward with treatment, we will work with your insurance company to help you obtain the maximum insurance benefits possible.
For any out of pocket costs associated with your oral appliance therapy we offer flexible financing options including low or no interest payment plans. We will clearly explain all of your options and work with you to customize a payment plan that best fits your needs.
EXPERTS FEATURED ON:
KOTA Territory News
Millions of Americans suffer from restless nights, including symptoms like snoring and sleep apnea.
Brian Criss, dental practitioner at [Black Hills Sleep] says " if sleep apnea is not caught early it can lead to the big three; heart disease, diabetes, or stroke.
The most common treatment for sleep apnea is a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. But many times, people do not use them 50% of the time. One of the alternative treatments is doing an oral appliance. Criss says “ what it does is keeps the chin from falling back at night and it’s usually the tongue that falls back ... your soft pallet collapses and that’s where we have a lack of oxygen and so what it does, is it holds the jaw slightly forward to keep everything from falling back”.
