Diagnosis

Three common questions frequently arise:

1. Do I have sleep apnea?

2. Is it serious?

3. Can it be treated?

Let's answer these now:

1. Based upon either the findings from your physician, or upon the routine screening and exam by your family dentist, there is a high probability of some form of an upper airway obstruction. Without the proper testing, it is impossible to know if you have sleep apnea or any other sleep-related breathing issues. Snoring by itself does not mean a person always has sleep apnea.

2. Only after testing with either a HST or a PSG, will a board-certified sleep physician review your individual results and the significance of any related health problems (comorbidities) you may already have. Just be aware that all such problems are "additive" in nature, and over time things will get progressively worse . . . even unto death.

3. Yes - depending upon the level of severity, the sleep physician may recommend Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) as the first choice of intervention, and if so indicated, they will provide our office with the proper diagnosis and diagnostic codes, LOMN (Letter of Medical Necessity) and a prescription for a Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD). If results are severe enough and require a CPAP machine, your sleep physician will refer you to the proper facility. Occasionally a "combination" of an oral device and a machine (CPAP or similar device) will be necessary to achieve the desired outcome and proper oxygen saturation during sleep.