At Implant and General Dentistry, Dr. Kirk Wilkie, Dr. Vic Turner, and Dr. Joey Pesicek know that sleep apnea may be caused by various types of dental problems that need a sleep study to diagnose correctly. So, before you get sleep medicine in Cary, NC, to handle this demand, it is crucial to understand the nature of a sleep study and how it may help you.

What is a Sleep Study?

A sleep study is an overnight examination during which doctors monitor your sleeping patterns. They gauge your brain patterns, see what kind of REM and non-REM sleep you experience, gauge oxygen levels in your body, pay attention to snoring, and watch for signs of sleep apnea. Once your study is over, they can diagnose your sleep troubles and help you sleep better again.

Typically, these studies include polysomnography (tracking your respiratory rate, airflow, body positioning, and more), multiple sleep latency tests (gauging how quickly you fall asleep and enter REM sleep), and CPAP titration (how much air pressure you need for your CPAP machine). In addition, sleep medicine in Cary, NC, may be necessary for many people after a sleep test.

Treating Sleep Apnea

If your sleep study discovers that you have sleep apnea, you may need various treatments to progress appropriately. For example, you may need a breathing machine to provide fresh air through your airways at night. CPAP machines may also include mouth devices that keep your airways open and minimize symptoms. Dentists often work with sleep experts to design these simple machines.

Furthermore, dentists may also help by providing oral surgery to remove hanging or excess tissue that may worsen your apnea. This process may work concurrently with CPAP machines to make it easier for you to sleep at night with minimal trouble.

You Can Take Care of Your Sleep

Oral health and sleep problems are not uncommon, and a sleep study can help you figure out what is wrong. So please don't hesitate to contact us at Implant and General Dentistry to learn more. Dr. Wilkie, Dr. Turner, and Dr. Pesicek can find sleep medicine in Cary, NC, and perform oral surgery to help minimize your sleep apnea. Call us at (919) 481-0330 to learn more about this process.