The Strong Standard · Est. 1970s
A HALF-CENTURY OF CLINICAL MASTERY
Five chapters. One unbroken legacy of engineering, innovation, and an unyielding commitment to your airway health.
Chapter One · The Heritage
1970s – 1980s
ROOTED IN THE HERITAGE OF DENTURISM
The Strong Standard was forged long before the modern era of sleep medicine. It began in the late 1970s at the original Strong Dental Laboratory Inc., under the mentorship of Barry Strong, DD, RDT.
As one of the ‘Grandfathers’ of Denturism in Ontario, Barry helped define the profession’s technical and ethical standards. Patrick Strong began his journey in Barry’s lab at age 16, mastering the physics of dental architecture under one of the industry’s founding figures.
By the time Patrick graduated from George Brown College in 1980, he carried a generational legacy of technical mastery. This deep understanding of how medical devices must function within the complex environment of the human mouth remains the cornerstone of our practice today.
Barry Strong, DD, RDT
A ‘Grandfather of Denturism’ in Ontario — the mentor who set the standard that still defines The Strong Clinic today.
Mentorship Legacy Patrick's expertise was not acquired in a classroom alone — it was passed down, hand over hand, from one of Ontario's founding figures in Denturism. Most clinicians order a device. Patrick grew up in the lab that built them.
Chapter Two · The Science
The New Orleans Turning Point · 1997
AN ORIGINAL VOICE IN THE FRONTIER OF SLEEP
1997
6th Annual SDDS Meeting New Orleans
Dr. Rich Moore, DDS, saw that the future of airway health required a marriage between clinical diagnosis and advanced laboratory engineering.
By the mid-1990s, while much of the dental world remained focused on traditional prosthetics, Patrick Strong recognized a critical, underserved need: the treatment of sleep-disordered breathing. He became one of the first in Canada to study Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT), beginning his journey under the late, legendary Dr. Rich Moore, DDS.
Dr. Moore wasn’t just a practitioner; he was a visionary who saw that the future of airway health required a marriage between clinical diagnosis and advanced laboratory engineering. Recognizing Patrick’s unique technical background, Dr. Moore became a pivotal mentor, urging him to look beyond traditional prosthetics and focus on the physics of the airway.
At Dr. Moore’s recommendation, Patrick was personally invited by Dr. Robert Rogers, DMD, to a landmark event: the 6th Annual Meeting of the Sleep Disorders Dental Society (SDDS) in New Orleans.
In 1997, amidst a room of the industry’s founding architects, Patrick held a singular distinction: he was the only Canadian Denturist in attendance. It was there that Dr. Moore specifically challenged Patrick to bring this world-class science back to Ontario. This ‘early seat at the table’ allowed Patrick to help define the protocols that would eventually become the global standard for non-CPAP therapy.
Patrick is the Only Canadian Denturist in attendance at the 6th Annual SDDS Meeting — New Orleans, 1997.
Chapter Three · The Invention
The SUAD™ Legacy · Late 1990s
ENGINEERING A BETTER WAY TO BREATHE
Returning from New Orleans, Patrick saw a significant gap between the emerging sleep science and the actual hardware available to treat patients. The early appliances of the late 90s were often fragile, difficult to adjust, and lacked the precision required for long-term clinical success.
Leveraging the deep laboratory heritage of Strong Dental Laboratory Inc., Patrick moved back to the bench to engineer a solution. The result was the development of the SUAD™ family of medical appliances.
Designed for maximum durability and patient-specific titration, the SUAD™ became an international benchmark in the field. Patrick’s work on these devices—supported by multiple patents for both the appliance and its unique manufacturing techniques—proved that a ‘Master-Builder’s’ approach could solve the most complex challenges in airway management. This era of innovation paved the way for the sophisticated, next-generation devices we utilize today, ensuring that the ‘Strong Standard’ is built into every appliance we provide.
- Patented Technology
- International Benchmark
Continuous Evolution of Excellence
- Strong Dental Laboratory Inc. · The Engineering Foundation
- SUAD™ Family · Patented Innovation, International Benchmark
- SomnoDent® Herbst Advance · The Next Generation Strong Standard
Chapter Four · The Integrity
The Preventative Standard
ENGINEERING COMPLIANCE THROUGH PRACTICALITY
As the industry evolved, a difficult conversation emerged regarding long-term side effects. Many practitioners reluctantly accepted that even the best oral appliances could, over time, cause a patient’s lower dentition to posture forward. The common lecture at the time presented a choice between ‘lesser evils’: was it more important to treat a life-threatening risk of heart disease and stroke, or to keep the ‘pearly whites’ touching properly?
Patrick Strong refused to accept that compromise.
Driven by the belief that medical success should not come at the cost of dental integrity, Patrick engineered a solution: The Morning Repositioner.
Understanding that patient compliance is the key to prevention, Patrick developed a totally hands-free protocol. Patients simply place the device on their lower teeth while they shower, get dressed, or make their morning coffee. By clenching down on the repositioner just three times a minute for 5 to 10 minutes, the patient proactively assists in preventing forward posturing.
While forward posturing remains a known potential side effect of any oral appliance therapy, the ‘Strong Standard’ means doing everything possible to prevent it. Today, a Morning Repositioner is supplied as a mandatory part of every treatment package—ensuring that life-saving sleep doesn’t have to come at the expense of a healthy bite.
We don't just provide a device; we provide a preventative system for long-term dental health.
Fits Your Existing Morning Routine
SHOWER
GET READY
COFFEE
The Three-Step Protocol
Place
Hands-free design.
Routine
Wear while getting ready.
Action
Clench 3x per minute for 5–10 minutes.
Chapter Five · The Partnership & Scale
Today — A 23-Year Partnership in Excellence
A LEGACY OF INNOVATION, MANAGED WITH PRECISION
- A 23-Year Clinical Partnership
A clinical legacy of this scale is never built alone. For over 23 years, Nancy Andrade has worked alongside Patrick Strong as the Clinical Director of Operations. Together, they have evolved the ‘Strong Standard’ from a laboratory philosophy into a province-wide clinical system.
While Patrick provides the ‘Master-Builder’ engineering and 45 years of clinical mastery, Nancy leads the practice’s operational heart. Her expertise in patient advocacy and physician co-management ensures that the 12,000+ cases managed by the clinic aren’t just numbers, but successful, life-changing outcomes.
Today, they lead a specialized team focused exclusively on dental sleep medicine, managing patient health across a network of centers in Windsor, Leamington, Chatham, London, and Kitchener. Every treatment plan is a culmination of decades of research, patented innovation, and a 23-year partnership committed to ensuring you breathe—and sleep—better for the rest of your life.
45+
Years of Clinical Mastery
12,000+
Managed Cases
5
Ontario Locations
About Us
THE STRONG CLINIC
Welcome to The Strong Clinic. With 5 different locations across Ontario, our denture, sleep apnea, and snoring clinic is the home of our resident specialist, Patrick J. Strong, DD, FCAD.
Mr. Strong is the developer of the world-renowned SUAD™ family of premium oral sleep appliances, which consists of the original SUAD™ (Strong Upper Airway Dilating) Device, The SUAD™ Elite, The SUAD™ Ultra Elite (SUE), the Transitional SUAD™ Appliance (TSA), the Morning Repositioner, and his two latest innovations, The SUAD™ B-H (Basic Herbst) and the SUE 2G (Second Generation).
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HAPPY CLIENTS
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YEARS EXPERIENCE
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APPLIANCES MANUFACTURED
More than 5 million Canadians have OSA, which is a potentially life-threatening medical disorder that prevents airflow during sleep. An estimated 1 in 5 Canadian adults have OSA, with men being two to three times more likely to be affected.
Established in 2002, The Strong Clinic is quality-oriented, patient-focused dental laboratory; committed to the development of innovative dental sleep appliances specific to the treatment of sleep-disordered breathing.
As a sufferer of severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Patrick believes in his own innovation so firmly that he is a patient of his own practice.
Our Mission
There is nothing that we can do in dentistry that will have as dramatic of an impact on our patient’s lives as when we simply change the quality of their sleep. Dentistry has the ability to save lives.
Our Objectives
Utilizing dentures and sleep appliances, our objective is to improve your quality of life through better sleep & smiles.
Our Team
Our team is full of equally passionate people. Visit our office and you will quickly meet Nancy who has the knowledge and experience to help guide you and answer all your questions.
Our Team
EXPERTISE YOU CAN TRUST
WHAT CUSTOMERS ARE SAYING
Amazing service all around. Would highly recommend if you are trying to fix your snoring.
S
Was using a CPAP but could not get comfortable and would take off. Met with Patrick and was fitted with an appliance and have never looked back. No snoring and very comfortable. Thanks!
Todd
I was given this info by a friend. I hesitantly called, and am 100% Happy I did. Patrick Strong is very personable and knowledgeable. His staff are also Amazing, very Family/Friendly environment. Very explanatory of the process. Overall I myself prefer this over a sleep apnea machine any day.
Corran
After years of terrible sleep, I am finally able to get a full uninterrupted 8 hours. I was skeptical at first but after adjusting the appliance, it was a night and day difference. I’m slowly getting back to normal. Mood is improving, I have more energy. My performance at the gym has MASSIVELY improved as well. Every week is a new personal record. It’s like I’m in my newbie phase again.
Peatore
45+ YEARS OF MASTERY. ONE TREATMENT AT A TIME.
Experience the Strong Standard — where every appliance carries a half-century of engineering heritage.