Product Evaluation

SomnoDent Herbst Advance

With its soft polymer lining and hinge design, the SomnoDent Herbst Advance is a comfortable oral appliance that’s easy for clinicians and patients to adjust

“Sleep apnea treatment has become more than 50% of my practice,” said Pennsylvania dentist Stephen Gershberg. Like so many other dentists who have adopted oral appliance therapy to treat patients’ snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), he needed a predictable device that would fit well and be easy to adjust. Dr. Gershberg praised the SomnoDent Herbst Advance by SomnoMed for increasing his success in treating sleep apnea. “It is an excellent product that did exactly what I needed it to do,” he said.

The state-of-the-art SomnoDent Herbst Advance features a visual calibration indicator for objectively measuring protrusion, giving dentists and patients greater control and accuracy over therapy. “It allows me to treat OSA patients [and] make a difference in their quality of life,” said Dr. Daniela Sever, one of several dentists who evaluated SomnoDent Herbst Advance for Dental Product Shopper. “It gives me confidence in treating these cases,” she added.

Ease of Use for Clinician and Patient

According to SomnoMed, the SomnoDent Herbst Advance is the first intraoral medical device with a visual calibration (VC) indicator that makes it easy to adjust and quickly identify the patient’s position. “The gauge on the side of the device allows quantifying the adjustments made, without impeding the comfort of the device,” Dr. Sever said. “[It’s] easier to show the patient how to advance their device,” Dr. Erika Mason said, adding that this means less time spent figuring out where the device is set and more time to treat additional patients. Dr. Gershberg agreed that it’s easy to use and saves time. “I can’t afford to spend hours with the patients making fi t adjustments,” he noted, “and I need an appliance that is easy and quick to adjust. This appliance fit the bill.”

“The product is made so insertions have little to no adjustments at chairside,” said Dr. Warren Boardman, adding, “The scale (VC) is extremely helpful in assessing the protrusive position.” Dr. Robb Heinrich was one of many dentists who said he uses this appliance for his Medicare patients. “The new marker (VC) on the side made it easy to see how far the patient had adjusted their appliance,” he said. Dr. John Clark agreed that the Herbst Advance is easily calibrated and easy for patients to insert, which leads to successful treatment.

Comfort and Fit

The SomnoDent Herbst Advance is especially comfortable, easy to adjust to a perfect fit, and affordable, according to SomnoMed. Dr. Mason relayed that the fit of the Herbst Advance is very good, without the need for much adjustment. “Good fit allows for happier patients,” she concluded. Calling the appliance “well-made, durable, and well fitting,” Dr. Boardman said it was easily tolerated by patients, who were very grateful.

Made with a proprietary soft polymer that will not delaminate or attract odors, the Herbst Advance features a hinge mechanism that makes it comfortable to wear. “Because of initial patient comfort,” Dr. Gershberg mentioned, “it decreased the amount of time it took patients to get used to wearing, and we achieve success quicker.” He added that patient compliance was increased because the device was comfortable. Dr. Clark said he needed a Medicare-approved device that was comfortable and easy to use. “The Herbst Advance has smaller telescopic arms and was more comfortable to patients,” he shared, but he recommended comfort caps to go over the screws.

Ability to Improve Systemic Health

When patients decide to seek treatment for snoring and sleep apnea, they’re taking an important step toward improving their overall health and quality of life.

Dr. Boardman reported that, by opening the airway through mandibular advancement, the Herbst Advance was an effective OA option for the treatment of snoring and sleep apnea. After prescribing it for one patient, Dr. Sever said that patient lost weight, started working out, and reduced his apnea even more. Acknowledging that not all patients can be treated with an oral appliance, Dr. Gershberg shared, “As long as proper screening is performed, this is an excellent and effective oral appliance.”

"I need an appliance that is easy and quick to adjust. This appliance fit the bill."
-Stephen J. Gershberg, DMD
Bryn Mawr, PA

Overall Satisfaction

All of the dentists on our panel of evaluators said they would recommend the Herbst Advance to other dental professionals and would continue to use it in the future. Dr. Boardman concluded, “SomnoMed, the company that produces the Herbst Advance, stands by this product and have been excellent in their support of this product.”

Takeaways

•Easy and quick to adjust
•Good fit with few adjustments needed
•A Medicare-approved sleep device
•Durable, reliable, comfortable
•Effective treatment for sleep apnea