Michael Fulbright, DDS has devoted a large portion of his career to helping both adults and children who suffer from sleep apnea. An experienced dentist who has been in practice in the Redondo Beach area for more than 15 years, Dr. Fulbright has extensive training in the treatment of sleep apnea. By utilizing state-of-the-art oral appliance therapy techniques, Dr. Fulbright can help patients who have been recently diagnosed with sleep apnea as well as those who are currently undergoing treatment with CPAP therapy and are looking for a viable alternative or a dual therapy option.
The information below will give you a fuller picture of Dr. Fulbright’s background and his approach to care. If you would like to schedule a complimentary consultation here at Fulbright Snoring & Sleep Solutions, please contact our practice.
- Memberships and Certifications
- Education
- Philosophy of Care
- Medicare, Payment Options, and Physician Referrals
Memberships and Certifications
Dr. Fulbright is a diplomate of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. He is also a Certified Provider of the BaleDoneen Method® – an advanced, comprehensive program designed to prevent, detect, and treat cardiovascular disease, which is a condition that can lead to strokes and heart attacks. In addition, Dr. Fulbright is a Sustaining Member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and holds membership in the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, the American Dental Association, and the California Dental Association.
Education
A graduate of the University of California-Irvine, Dr. Fulbright received his Doctorate in Dental Surgery from the USC School of Dentistry. He later completed post-graduate education at the Pacific Implant Institute and the Advanced Aesthetic Continuum at UCLA. Dr. Fulbright subsequently pursued extensive study and training in dental sleep medicine. A firm believer in providing patients with high-quality treatment utilizing the latest techniques, Dr. Fulbright averages more than 100 hours of continuing dental education each year.
Philosophy of Care
Dr. Fulbright takes a whole-health approach to care for patients affected by sleep apnea. Since this common condition can induce serious risks to one’s total body health, it’s important that patients are comfortable with treatment protocols and are given the tools necessary to successfully improve their sleeping habits, feel better, and ultimately get health problems under control.
A few areas of focus involved in Dr. Fulbright’s total-health approach include:
Advanced Sleep Apnea Treatment Options
Dr. Fulbright provides some of the latest sleep apnea treatment techniques to provide patients with effective alternatives to previous modalities. While our practice offers a range of treatment options, our primary emphasis is on oral appliance therapy for sleep apnea. Customized oral appliances and Mandibular Advancement Devices offer patients a more comfortable and convenient way to keep air flowing at a normal rate through breathing passages, helping to reduce the risks of sleep apnea and provide a more restful night’s sleep.
Learn more about oral appliances for sleep apnea.
Compliance with Treatment Protocols
The first step for someone with sleep apnea is to obtain a diagnosis and begin a treatment regimen. While this is a positive start on the road to better health, some patients may eventually stop complying with the treatment protocol. This can happen with some types of CPAP treatments, which often require a bulky, noisy apparatus to be worn while sleeping. When the patient finds the treatment uncomfortable or too much of a hassle, they may decide to stop following the program. It has been estimated that a large percentage of CPAP patients (as much as 60% according to some figures) do not fully comply with the treatment. With that in mind, oral appliance therapy has shown to have a much higher compliance rate (as much as 90%). This is likely due to the fact that oral appliance therapy offers patients a more comfortable option. The use of a small oral appliance, often resembling an orthodontic retainer, eliminates the twisting tubes and noisy machinery associated with many CPAP therapies. This can help patients sleep more comfortably and increase the chance of treatment compliance. Plus, oral appliances are much easier to transport when patients travel, which cuts out the hassle of trying to bring large, heavy CPAP machines with them while on vacation or business trips.
With improved treatment options and a focus on technologies that can be better for patient compliance, our practice can ultimately help individuals more effectively address sleep apnea and start living healthier lives.
Collaboration with Other Medical Professionals
It is very important to Dr. Fulbright and our entire staff that we take a collaborative approach to patient care. We work closely with pulmonologists, cardiologists, ENTs (ear, nose, and throat specialists), primary care physicians, and other doctors to provide patients with a truly team-based treatment regimen designed to yield the most effective results.
Medicare, Payment Options, and Physician Referrals
Dr. Fulbright is one of the few dental sleep medicine providers in the Los Angeles area to offer certain types of oral appliances for sleep apnea that are Medicare-approved. Our practice also accepts a variety of payment methods, and we work with reputable healthcare financing companies that can help qualified applicants pay for their treatment on a month-to-month basis.
Fulbright Snoring & Sleep Solutions also readily accepts referrals from other doctors who are looking to refer their patients to a qualified dental sleep medicine professional. If you are a physician who would like to make a referral, a member of our team will be happy to talk with you.
Contact Dr. Fulbright for More Information
If you would like to learn more about Dr. Michael Fulbright and the procedures available at our practice, or if you would like to schedule a complimentary consultation, please contact us today.