When you visit Who Does Your Teeth for a sleep apnea assessment or treatment, Dr. Jeffrey Neal may recommend that you participate in a sleep study in Henrico, Virginia. Our dentist may refer you to a local sleep specialist who will conduct the sleep study, or he may be able to recommend that you participate in a Home Sleep Test. These tests allow our dentist to know the best course of treatment for you. We invite you to contact us at 804-447-1435 if you have any questions, and to set up your next appointment today!
Sleep studies are performed by sleep specialist, and they are a diagnosis process to determine whether a patient suffers from sleep apnea or other sleep-related problems. These studies can either be done at a clinic or at home. Home sleep apnea testing is very simple, yet they yield effective results. There are several kinds of devices that your sleep specialist may recommend, but each one will measure your breathing and blood oxygen level while you sleep. Some may also record your heart rate. After completing your home apnea test, your specialist can evaluate your results and provide a diagnosis.
Both clinical and at-home sleep studies are simple and non-invasive. For most sleep clinics, patients will have their own room with a private bathroom, shower, and comfortable bed. Some clinics also provide a television in your room to help you relax in the evenings. While you sleep, you will be connected to a monitoring device, but they are flexible enough to allow you to move around comfortably in your sleep. Your sleep specialist will go over any additional specifics for your procedure prior to your scheduled sleep study.
Once your sleep study is complete, the sleep specialist will evaluate your results. They will forward your results to our dentist, prescribing a recommended course of treatment. For more information about obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or possible treatments, we invite you to call or visit our office today.