Sleep Studies

Sleep Studies, also known as polysomnography, is a comprehensive diagnostic procedure designed to evaluate and assess an individual's sleep patterns, quality, and overall sleep-related health. It involves monitoring various physiological parameters during sleep, such as brain waves, eye movements, heart rate, breathing patterns, and oxygen levels, to gather valuable insights into sleep disorders and disturbances.

Sleep Studies are essential for individuals experiencing persistent sleep issues and suspected sleep disorders. These studies help identify the root causes of sleep problems, such as insomnia, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome, and other sleep-related disorders. By uncovering the underlying issues, Sleep Studies enable healthcare professionals to develop tailored treatment plans to improve sleep quality, enhance daytime functioning, and promote overall well-being.

Sleep Studies are recommended for individuals who exhibit signs and symptoms of sleep disorders, including:

• Chronic snoring: Loud and persistent snoring can be a sign of sleep apnea, a condition that interrupts breathing during sleep.
• Excessive daytime sleepiness: Feeling excessively tired, fatigued, or drowsy during the day, which may indicate inadequate or disrupted sleep at night.
• Insomnia: Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing non-restorative sleep on a regular basis.
• Unexplained awakenings: Frequent awakenings during the night without an apparent reason, leading to fragmented sleep.
• Unusual nighttime behaviors: Engaging in activities like sleepwalking, sleep talking, or nightmares that disrupt normal sleep patterns.
• Morning headaches: Waking up with frequent headaches or migraines, which can be related to sleep disorders.
• Daytime cognitive impairment: Experiencing memory problems, difficulty concentrating, or reduced cognitive function due to sleep disturbances.
• Obesity and high blood pressure: Conditions that are commonly associated with sleep apnea and other sleep-related breathing disorders.
• People who grind, clench, or grit their teeth
• Anyone who is a mouth breather
• Anyone who has a history of cracked teeth, root canals, or dental implants
• Anyone who has had crowded teeth in their lifetime.
• Anyone with a history of high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, hormonal imbalances, anxiety, depression or headaches.

If you or a loved one are experiencing any of these symptoms, consulting with a sleep specialist and considering Sleep Studies can help determine the underlying causes and guide appropriate treatment.

At Holistic Dental Associates, we routinely screen for sleep apnea by sending our patients home with an in-home sleep test. The process typically involves the following steps:

• Consultation: Before the procedure, you will have a consultation with one of our trained team members, who will discuss your sleep-related concerns, medical history, and any medications you are currently taking. This is also where they will explain how the system works and how to set it up before you sleep for maximum comfort and effectiveness.
• Setup and Monitoring: When it's time for the study, you will attach the machine to your wrist, the pinky finger of your non dominant hand, and just below the hollow of your throat. These sensors record brain activity, eye movements, heart rate, muscle tone, breathing patterns, and oxygen levels. The equipment used is designed to be comfortable and non-invasive, ensuring you can sleep as naturally as possible during the study.
• Sleep Environment: We ask our patients to do their home sleep testing in their own bed, with their own pillows, smells and sounds, to make it a relaxing and comfortable environment to give you the best sleep you can get. This helps ensure accurate monitoring and assessment. Therefore, if you are a nursing mother, or are traveling and not in your own bed, it may not be the best environment in which to do your sleep study.
• Sleep Monitoring: Throughout the night, the sensors and equipment will continuously collect data while you sleep.
• Morning Evaluation: Once the Sleep Study is complete, the data collected and uploaded into the app on your smart phone will be carefully analyzed and interpreted by the board certified sleep medicine specialist. They will review the results, looking for any abnormalities or indicators of sleep disorders, and provide a comprehensive evaluation of your sleep patterns and overall sleep health.
• Treatment Recommendations: Based on the findings from the Sleep Studies, the dentist will discuss the results with you, explain any diagnosed sleep disorders, and recommend appropriate treatment options. These may include lifestyle modifications, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, dental devices, or other interventions by specialists if needed, tailored to your specific needs.

By undergoing Sleep Studies, you can gain valuable insights into your sleep patterns, identify underlying sleep disorders, and take steps toward achieving better sleep, improved daytime functioning, and enhanced overall health.

Remember, if you suspect a sleep disorder or are experiencing persistent sleep disturbances, consult with us we can guide you through the Sleep Studies procedure and provide personalized care to help you achieve the restful and rejuvenating sleep you deserve.