Sleep Medicine
If you consistently snore or have sleep apnea, you’ll want to have these conditions checked out by a medical professional. After conducting a series of tests and reviewing these results with sleep medicine experts, you may decide to work with a dentist to procure an oral appliance. This appliance can provide you with a more open airway, allowing for easier nighttime breathing. Read on to learn how our team at Grand Lake Dental in Grove, OK examines and treats sleep disorders.
ARES Home Sleep Test
Do you need to clarify what’s going on while you sleep at night? Are you concerned about having a possible sleep disorder? The ARES Home Sleep Test is a convenient and comprehensive way of assessing and addressing your sleep patterns. You can use it from the comfort of your own home, and it’s designed to accommodate all kinds of sleep positions. Although the ARES device is compact, it can store up to three nights’ worth of data at a time. Using the information collected by ARES, a sleep expert will be able to interpret the data and determine how to best help you.
Results Interpretation
All of Dr. Jobst’s sleep tests are uploaded and read by a cardiologist who is board-certified in sleep medicine. This means the best in the field will be examining your case to determine the best course of treatment. Highly skilled in sleep medicine, these practitioners will be able to advise you about next steps. The turnaround time on receiving feedback is also relatively quick, so you can get started right away.
Receiving the Report
You will also receive a copy of the report to give to your primary care doctor. Depending on the results of the sleep study, you and your doctor will decide on a plan of action together. This may entail calling in a prescription or requesting authorization for a positive airway pressure (PAP) device. In more complicated circumstances, you may need to undergo a second evaluation, but this is rare. It’s also a good idea to ask your doctor any lingering questions you may have at this point.
Treating Sleep Disorders With an Orthotic
In some cases, dentistry can intervene to help treat your sleep disorder. For snoring and obstructive sleep apnea, oral appliance therapy may be an effective solution for you. The appliance fits like a retainer and is designed to keep the jaw forward so that your upper airway remains open. It’s also comfortable, portable, and easy to care for.
This easy-to-implement solution is customized using digital models of your teeth, which are then sent off to a dental lab where the appliance is made. Working closely with your physician, your dentist can provide you with relief at night. They can also answer any questions about cost, maintenance, and potential side effects.
Is an oral appliance the right choice for you?
If you and your doctor decide to pursue this treatment route, Dr. Jobst at Grand Lake Dental has the skills and experience to fit you with a custom oral appliance. He and his team in Grove, OK are qualified to provide you with the appliance and answer any questions you may have.
To schedule a consultation for your sleep disorder, request an appointment online today or give us a call at (918) 787-5800. Our team is ready to help make your life easier.