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CUSTOMISED PHYSIOLOGIC MANDIBULAR ADVANCEMENT SPLINT (MAS) & DIAGNOSTIC CONSULTATION

Our patients undertake a 20 minute Telehealth (Free of Charge) before  you even come through our doors. This is a fully PRIVATE, 'one on one' call, not a zoom session with other patients online, so your privacy is protected and patient confidentiality assured. This can happen after hours to accommodate your work commitments or family demands. Our Practice Partner will speak to you by phone to flag any issues we need to look at more closely when you come in for your Diagnostic Consultation. The highly personal nature of your medical information is dealt with sensitively and with insight. If she decides during that telehealth that you are better served seeing a different sort of clinician, we will refer you on - saving you time and money.  There is no charge for this part of our service.

NB:  We Are The Only Clinic in Melbourne With Such High Standards in Complete Treatment Methodologies and Unique Qualifications 

DIAGNOSTIC CONSULTATION – A Fully Holistic Approach. 120 mins with us.

You will spend 90 minutes with Dr Ian Maratos, during this Diagnostic Consultation, he will undertake a full and very comprehensive Oral Examination, you may undergo some imaging if deemed necessary, an investigation of your jaw, throat, ear and facial areas, and answer questions about your neck, hearing, breathing, chewing, sleep patterns, jaw, and a complete examination and measurement of relevant ratios of mouth, jaw, nose and teeth. We may also photograph you to record measurements, facial mid-lines and profile.  These images remain strictly private.

Dr Ian will evaluate your oral and dental health and may ask questions about diet, exercise, and any history of accidents (no matter how small or how long ago). You may also undergo a scan of your mouth in 3D. 

Your appointment will begin by spending at least 30 minutes with our Practice Partner / Emergency Medic, going over general medical health and history. We take your Blood Pressure, gauge your Oxygen Saturation levels, Heart Rate and take measurements of your neck, weight, and height. Covering off on necessary statistical information and family history is also very important. We take the view that the more we know about you (including medications and vitamins you may take), the better we can treat you, and our success stories speak for themselves.   

We are particularly interested in helping women experiencing peri/menopausal snoring and sleep degradation.

Dr Ian consults to a variety of patients from all walks of life – from Pilots, to Olympians, Truck Drivers to Pro Tennis Players and Opera Singers, Veterans to Bankers, recognisable performers, and CEOs to Riggers (Crane Drivers) as well as exhausted Parents or Partners, Firefighters, Accountants, Police, Factory Workers, Actors and IT engineers, Australian Defence Force Personnel, Veterans, Professional Footballers, Chronic Pain sufferers, Teachers and Doctors (yes, they snore too, or experience TMD). We've even successfully treated a New York Yankee baseball player.

(Sometimes, in the case of sports people, patients are looking for a competitive edge and extra performance enhancing sleep and oxygenation to help with stamina).

NB:  Please let us know if you are a Veteran or Emergency Service Responder, as you are very respected by us and we tailor treatments and clinical situations to your needs. We have staff who are veterans as well, so we 'speak your language' and you are very welcome! There is no 'gap payments' expected for  DVA Gold Card holders.

If you progress to treatment with us, we will see you on another day for three hours.

1) What happens during your 3 hour appointment?

You must be well hydrated with water in the 24 hours (coffee and tea don’t count as they act as diuretics – dehydrating the body) before you attend for this appointment. It is hoped that you have consumed at least 300mls of water that morning, before coming in. We also emphasise that it is important that you have you eaten breakfast, and or lunch before arriving to undergo your 3 hour appointment.

Please note, you will not be allowed to use your mobile phone, ipad or laptop during this session as electronic devices interfere with our equipment. Books or magazines are also not allowed.

On arrival, our patients are shown to our specially equipped ‘Quiet Room’, with a large and comfortable leather armchair and gentle, ambient lighting, we also use aromatherapy throughout the practice and consulting rooms. 

Here, during treatment, you will be seated in a recliner chair for most of the session, and you’ll be able to watch Netflix in comfort, as we work on relaxing your muscles using our sophisticated technology to achieve the ideal physiologic positioning of your jaw. Often patients doze off whilst undergoing this part of the process.

To reach maximum benefit and jaw relaxation, patients undergo treatment using an ‘Ultra Low Frequency’ TENS machine with electrodes placed on all of the patient’s relevant muscle groupings of the face, neck, shoulders and jaw; this will be followed by the addition of more strategically placed electrode patches and scientifically calibrated EMG connections to our computers in order to ascertain the exact and correct physiologic positioning of the bite and jaw to best alleviate snoring and sleep apnoea. To do this, we will first cleanse your skin with surgical alcohol and cotton pads.

**(You will need to be make up free, and for those who need to, please be cleanly shaven on the facial cheeks, sideburn area and neck) If you have long hair, please bring along a hair tie as we need access to your neck and upper spine.

Additionally, a 3D scan will be taken of the patient’s mouth and teeth, in a more upright position, along with a Physiologic ‘bite’. This step will (or may) also include taking several ‘gooey’ impressions over the teeth to confirm the relative position of the upper and lower jaw, and the ideal resting place of the lower jaw to achieve your unique treatment and the best outcome for you. 

We want to make sure that your long-term goal to Stop Snoring, Sleep Better and Live Well is reached. The best cure for snoring in Melbourne comes from taking the time to really understand the delicacy of the jaw and surrounding musculature and seeking perfection in treatment as Dr Ian Maratos always insists.  We won't treat a patient simply to create a better caseload number, we will happily refer patients to another specialist if needed.  The outcome for the patient is the most important thing to us at The Snore Fix Doctor.

2) What happens at your 30 minute appointment?

This appointment is for the collection of the custom-made, unique Physiologic Device by the patient, and includes the calibration and fitting of the Physiologic Mandibular Advancement Splint on the patient following delivery from the Laboratory. 

(The device has been developed, and then custom couture built with exact millimetric precision to suit the physiologic needs of the individual patient – no two devices are the same) 

3) Going forward – what to expect?

Expect to see Dr Ian again, one month (or sooner) after you collect and are fitted with your prescribed Physiologic MAS Device, this will be to ascertain the efficacy of the MAS, and the reduction of your snoring and apnoea (or if you are a pain patient, to see how your progression towards pain relief is tracking). 

{We treat you holistically, and often get to know our patients quite well indeed - that is why Dr Ian Maratos is the best dentist / dental surgeon in Melbourne and the most expert in this field (that's what our patients tell us!) because he takes the time to listen and strives for perfection for his patients and their quality of sleep}

This will include an 'at home' overnight sleep study, where appropriate, for snoring or apnoea patients, and a consultation with Dr Ian about the quality of your sleep, improvements that have occurred, any concerns or questions you may have, and a treatment roadmap going forwards. Your MAS device may be adjusted at this consultation.

Follow ups with our team (and, or, Dr Ian) for 12 months are included in your prepaid costs, along with titration, all consultations about the MAS, and adjustments to the device – free of charge. 

{We treat you holistically, and often get to know our patients quite well indeed - that is why Dr Ian Maratos is the best dentist / dental surgeon in Melbourne and the most expert in this field (that's what our patients tell us!) because he takes the time to listen and strives for perfection for his patients and their quality of sleep}

We do not allow patients to self-adjust the device, or your general dentist to adjust or modify the device – doing so voids the warranty. All adjustments must be undertaken by The Snore Fix Doctor. 

It is also anticipated that on average, our patients will undergo a follow up, 'at home' Sleep Study over the course of the ensuing 12 months to fully ascertain the efficacy of the Physiologic MAS and to gauge advancements or adjustments. 

You will always be provided with a copy of your Sleep Studies upon request so you can demonstrably track your Snoring improvements via the data contained therein. 

** Please come to the 3 hour appointment cleanly shaven on the facial cheek area, neck and sideburns (for men), and devoid of all foundation, moisturiser/sunscreen, or make up on the face (especially for women). Facial Hair, Cosmetics and skincare products interfere with the correct placement and efficacy of the electrodes needed for treatment.

©Copyright: April, 2024, Dr Ian Maratos & Jacqueline Pascarl OAM – The Snore Fix Doctor – Without Prejudice