What Happens After a Sleep Study?

Have you recently undergone sleep testing in Melbourne? The test was an important step on your road to achieving higher-quality sleep, but you may wonder what happens next. Simply put, you will receive your results, and then you will be in a position to begin treatment for any sleep disorder that you may have. This blog post delves into further details about what you can expect following a sleep study.

Expect Results in 1 – 2 Weeks

After a sleep study, you probably won’t receive your results right away. The data from your test will be sent to a qualified medical expert, who will review the information provided. Based on the readouts from your test, they will be able to determine if you have sleep apnea or another sleep disorder that requires treatment.

For most patients, they receive feedback about their sleep test within a couple of weeks. If you believe it is taking unusually long to get your results, don’t hesitate to contact the appropriate party to ask when you can expect to learn about your condition.

Exploring Treatment Options

If you are diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), your general physician might be quick to recommend that you start using a CPAP machine. CPAP machines are certainly effective. However, they have quite a few downsides, and many patients struggle to comply with treatment.

Rather than automatically accepting the recommendation to use a CPAP, take some time to explore other options. For example, you might be able to get a custom oral appliance from a sleep dentist. An oral appliance is smaller, more comfortable, and easier to travel with than a CPAP machine. It is also easier to clean and makes no noise at all. Many patients who formerly used a CPAP wish they had known about oral appliance therapy earlier.

Starting Treatment

If you choose to use an oral appliance, it might take a few weeks after your appointment with a sleep dentist before your device is in your hand. In the meantime, you may be able to lessen your OSA symptoms by making some adjustments to your daily habits. For example, sleeping on your side and cutting back on alcohol may both be beneficial.

When you first start using your oral appliance, it might cause some mild soreness at first. However, most patients adapt fairly quickly. If you run into any questions or concerns about it, don’t hesitate to reach out to the doctor who provided it for you.

A sleep test is just the beginning of your journey to better rest. Once you move forward with treatment, you can finally begin to experience true relief from OSA.

Meet the Dental Sleep Medicine Expert

Dr. Kenneth Mogell is an experienced dentist who is double-board certified in dental sleep medicine. He focuses on providing oral sleep appliance therapy to residents of Melbourne, Boca Raton, and Vero Beach. If you are curious about your OSA treatment options, Dr. Mogell and our team would be pleased to serve you at any of our three convenient locations. Contact us at 321-313-5350.