SLEEP TESTS
Types of Sleep Tests
There are actually many types of sleep tests that are available for your clinicians. These can generally be categorized as either Level-1 tests or Level-2 tests. Level-2 tests are the at-home variety that we use to diagnose Mild to Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
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There are several types of at-home tests that you can use. The more traditional variety involves a sensor around the chest as well as a monitor on the finger and wrist. There is also a newer version that sits on your forehead and measures your breathing while you sleep. It still has the finger monitor. And finally, there is a version that sticks to your chest. Some of these at home tests can be done in only one night, but some may take
three days. The more days of testing, the more accurate the results will be. Now, if you have severe OSA, it will almost certainly not take three days to register, but if you have a more mild version or something else entirely, those extra days' worth of data will be helpful.
Depending on which test we believe you will be most able to tolerate, we will either have a single-use test sent to your home for you to do, or you will need to come and pick the sleep test up from our office.
YES! Getting a good night's rest is critical to long term health and if you are having difficulty falling asleep or getting good, restful sleep, we may be able to help. One of the most important aspects of sleeping involves getting sufficient air while you sleep. We have a range of appliances that actually change the airway passages, allowing for maximal air intake. A couple of our appliances have orthodontic applications as well, but opening up the air passages remains a critical component.
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If you are having sleep issues and you think it may be related to breathing issues, you should contact us right away. You may also want to get a sleep test performed to make sure you do not have more serious issues.
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SLEEP APNEA APPLIANCE: Sleep apnea is a potentially very serious issue where breathing starts and stops during the night. The sleep apnea appliance is a small appliance that fits entirely in the mouth. I has a series of different strength bands you can use that push the mandible forward. This is often called mandibular advancement therapy. If you push your jaw back into your mouth, you can see how it blocks off the air. Moving the jaw forward opens up the airway.
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NIGHT GUARD APPLIANCE: If you are a clench and grinder, the effect on your teeth can be extremely harmful. You may not even realize it as most clench and grinders do so while sleeping. If you do notice you are having problems with your teeth due to wear, sensitivity, or small fractures, you should come in for a consult about a night guard appliance. A night guard is exactly what it says, it protects your teeth at night, when you need it most.
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HEALTHY START: The Healthy Start program is an orthodontic program for children. The main goals of Healthy Start are to train your tongue how to rest and sit properly, which in turn helps the child to breathe easier and more naturally. Healthy Start also helps with crowding; an expander appliance may also need to be used.
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MYOBRACE: This program is available to older children and adults. It is a series of appliances that gradually expand the palate or mandible to create more room in the mouth. The expansion in the mouth, as well as the training exercises work to open up the airways in the mouth.