Longmont Sleep Studies
If you suffer from symptoms of sleep apnea, we recommend getting a sleep study. To properly treat sleep apnea, you will first need a diagnosis. The results will not only indicate if you have sleep apnea but also what type of condition you have.
Dr. Hedrick is a sleep apnea dentist who is professionally trained to perform sleep studies. There are many advantages to having a dentist perform this test rather than having one done at a traditional sleep center. Continue reading to learn why.
Why See a Dentist for a Sleep Apnea Test?
A dentist provides the following advantages:
- Sleep at home: Not only is sleeping at home more comfortable, but the test results are also more accurate because you’re in a familiar setting.
- Cost: Traditional sleep centers have a huge overhead because they have large, complex equipment that is expensive to purchase. But technological advances have made testing equipment much smaller and more cost-effective, and it’s what dentists use.
How Much Does a Home Sleep Study Cost?
Insurance typically doesn’t pay for sleep studies, but the good news is that they’re far more affordable than they used to be. A home sleep study ordered from our office is $300.
Home Sleep Study Process
Testing Equipment
We will provide you with an at-home monitor to wear around your chest along with a nasal cannula and pulse oximeter, which will measure your breathing and oxygen levels.
Sleep Apnea Test
The testing is a simple, comfortable process that will occur over one to two nights.
Test Results
After the equipment is returned to our office, we will upload the files and send them to a physician. Although we’re trained to administer the tests and treat sleep apnea, only a physician can diagnose the condition. The results will include an Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI), which will determine the severity of the sleep apnea.
Results
After your sleep study is performed, we’ll score it and give you an AHI number, which will determine if you have sleep apnea as well as the severity of it. According to Harvard Sleep Medicine, the AHI ranges are categorized as ¹:
- 0-4: None/Minimal Severity
- 5-14: Mild
- 15-29: Moderate
- 30+: Severe
Treatment
If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, Dr. Hedrick will recommend a treatment. If you have a medium to mild form, we’ll be able to provide sleep apnea treatment directly from our office.
Why Get a Sleep Study With Longmont Dental Loft?
Dr. Hedrick is well trained in performing sleep studies and has helped many patients treat sleep apnea. She has even fitted herself with a sleep device with successful results.
As previously mentioned, having a dentist perform a sleep study enables you to do it in the comfort of your home and at a much more affordable price than if you went to a sleep center.
Finally, if you are diagnosed with mild to moderate sleep apnea, Dr. Hedrick can order a custom sleep appliance that will treat your condition and help you feel better. Contact our office at 303-772-6333 to learn more about how we can help you.
References
- Harvard Medical School Department of Sleep Medicine. Understanding the Results. Harvard.edu. Retrieved November 7, 2023 from https://sleep.hms.harvard.edu/education-training/public-education/sleep-and-health-education-program/sleep-health-education-34.