Sleep Apnea Test

There’s plenty of evidence that connects deep sleep with better cognitive function, less stress, easier weight control and so much more. Individuals with sleep apnea end up missing out on these benefits and may even have a lower quality of life due to restless, unfulfilling sleep not to mention raising the possibility of systemic diseases. Distinctive Dental Solutions offers solutions to those dealing with sleep apnea. The first step is to get diagnosed so we can help you find the right treatment. Our patients receive rigorous testing for all forms of sleep apnea which points us towards a solution. There are various forms of the test depending on your symptoms, so explore each kind and discuss your options with our team at a consultation. 

What Tests Are Used to Detect Sleep Apnea?

Diagnosis generally involves a combination of monitoring symptoms, discussing them with a doctor, and undergoing various tests to track and monitor real sleep in an individual. These can help doctors pinpoint sleep apnea as a disease process that can create all sorts of other disease processes in a person. Testing is important because a diagnosis can point us towards potential risks specific to the particular kind you have, as well as the right treatment based on the specific kind of sleep apnea you have.

 Usually, a physician will request you undergo a polysomnogram (PSG) in a hospital setting. It is a diagnostic test that studies physical and cognitive activities that occur during sleep. It collects information from electrical signals from around your throat and neck area and brain to examine how this area moves while you sleep. There are also several other tests that may be used:

• Home Sleep Test (HST) A test that is like a PSG in the information gathered, but can be done in the privacy and comfort of your own home and bed
• Snore microphone
• Nasal airflow sensor
• EMG (electromyogram) to record muscle activity during REM sleep, such as facial twitching, jaw grinding and leg movement
• EOG (electrooculogram) to track eye movement
• EKG (electrocardiogram) to measure heart rate and rhythm

What the Results Say

Once data has been collected and reviewed, it’s time for a diagnosis done by a board-certified sleep physician. Interpretation of the results gives concrete evidence of whether you have sleep apnea at all, and if you do have sleep apnea, how severe your sleep apnea is, and which kind it is so you can discuss it with our dental team. Sleep apnea is diagnosed ONLY by a board-certified sleep physician, but the testing can be ordered by any medical professional trained in finding signs and symptoms linked to sleep apnea.  Common signs and symptoms that may be linked to sleep apnea are:

• Daytime sleepiness
• Unrefreshing sleep
• Loud snoring or breathing interruptions as reported by a partner
• Episodes happen at least 15 times an hour or 5 per hour in a patient that reports insomnia, fatigue, gasping, choking, and aforementioned criteria

Diagnosis is vital because each form of sleep apnea is treated differently. Some can be solved through lifestyle changes while others may need oral appliance therapy and some are so serious that a CPAP may have to be used to help a person to breathe during sleep. Therefore, our dentists use this information to determine if you’d benefit from a specially made mouthpiece, oral appliance therapy. A custom mouthpiece can be used to keep the jaw forward and slightly open during sleep and prevent throat tissues from cutting off airflow during sleep.   

Speak With Our Dentists to Learn More

Sleep apnea is a real disease that can be a troublesome condition at best and life-threatening at its worst. However, you don’t have to live with disrupted sleep and the health risks associated with sleep apnea. With our dental team, you can take steps towards a healthier, more fulfilling life. Call our team now to get started.