Your Step By Step Guide to Getting Sleep Apnea Treatment

Dentists have been helping people get relief from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) using oral appliance therapy for years, and when patients learn about this, many assume they can just call up a dental office and pick up an appliance that day. Unfortunately, this is not quite how the process works. There are a multitude of steps a person must take in order to get an oral appliance and ensure that it is the right treatment for them. What are they? How can you start? Today, we’ll walk you through the process step by step so you can know exactly how to get sleep apnea treatment.

Step 1: Getting a Diagnosis

The first step to getting sleep apnea treatment involves a proper diagnosis from a certified sleep doctor. There are two ways you can do this:

• Contact your primary care physician and inform them that you are having frequent sleep issues. They’ll recommend you to a sleep doctor in your area.
• Fill out a STOP-BANG questionnaire to determine your risk for sleep apnea. You’ll find this on many sleep dentists’ websites, and after you fill it out, the doctor will evaluate it and let you know if you should see a sleep doctor within 24 hours. From there, they can help you find one in your area.

Step 2: Sleep Test

Once you have been recommended to a sleep doctor, they’ll likely ask you to perform a sleep test, which is the medical test used to determine if you have sleep apnea. For this, you’ll simply sleep while connected to a variety of machines used to monitor your breathing, heart rate, and brain activity. This test can either be performed in a sleep lap or at home using a mobile device.

Once your sleep test is complete, the doctor will take a week or so to evaluate your results. Should they determine that you do actually have sleep apnea, they can then recommend treatment. If oral appliance therapy is a viable option, they can guide you to a certified sleep dentist in your area who can provide it for you.

Step 3: Getting Treatment

When you visit a sleep dentist, they’ll work directly with your sleep doctor to determine which type of oral appliance will give you complete relief from your sleep apnea. The dentist will examine your mouth, take an impression of your teeth, and this will be used to make your own customized oral appliance. From there, your dentist will show you how to use it, and you’ll likely be asked to have a follow-up appointment with your sleep doctor to make sure it is working.

Each of these steps is vital to you getting the sleep apnea treatment you need. Hopefully this guide will help you get started on your journey to consistent, restful sleep. The real key is to not suffer in silence; if you’re having issues sleeping or feel constantly fatigued for weeks on end, please contact your doctor as soon as you can. They’ll help you get started on this process, and before you know it, you’ll be feeling rested and energized once again.

About the Author

Dr. Kenneth Mogell is a board-certified sleep dentist based in Jupiter, FL, and he has helped thousands of OSA patients get a good night’s rest using custom-made oral appliances. He currently practices at Florida Dental Sleep Disorders, and he can be reached through his website or by phone at (561) 744-4478.