If you’ve been struggling with snoring, fatigue, or a sleep apnea diagnosis, you might be wondering what actually happens at a dental sleep medicine consultation. Maybe your doctor referred you. Maybe your partner finally convinced you to get help. Or maybe you’ve just been tired for so long that you’re ready to try something new.
Whatever brought you here, we at Henrich Dental want you to feel prepared. Here’s a walkthrough of what to expect, what to bring, and how to make the most of your visit.
What to Bring to Your Consultation
Come prepared. The more information we have, the better we can help you. Here’s what to gather before your appointment:
- Your sleep study results: If you’ve already had a sleep study, bring a copy of the report. This tells us your Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI), which measures how many times per hour your breathing is interrupted. It also tells us whether your sleep apnea is mild, moderate, or severe. That number guides our treatment recommendations.
- A list of your medications: Some medications can affect sleep or the tone of your airway muscles. We need to know what you’re taking.
- Your medical history: Bring information about any heart conditions, high blood pressure, diabetes, or other health issues. Sleep apnea affects the whole body, so we look at the whole picture.
- A list of your symptoms: Write down what you’ve been experiencing. Do you snore? Wake up gasping? Do you feel exhausted despite a full night in bed? Get morning headaches? Have trouble concentrating? The more details, the better.
- Your bed partner’s observations: If you have a partner, ask them what they notice while you sleep. Do you stop breathing? Snore loudly? Toss and turn? Their insights are incredibly valuable.
- Your insurance card and ID: We’ll check your benefits and discuss what your plan covers.
- A list of questions: Write them down so you don’t forget. We love questions.
What We’ll Ask You
During your consultation, Dr. Henrich will ask about your sleep habits, your symptoms, and your health history. He’ll want to know:
- How many hours of sleep do you get most nights?
- Do you wake up feeling refreshed or exhausted?
- Do you snore? Has anyone witnessed you stop breathing during sleep?
- Do you wake up frequently during the night?
- Do you experience morning headaches, dry mouth, or sore throat?
- How is your energy during the day? Do you feel foggy or irritable?
- Have you tried CPAP? What was your experience?
We’ll also perform a thorough examination of your mouth, jaw, and airway. This helps us understand your anatomy and identify any structural factors that might be contributing to your sleep issues.
What You Should Ask Us
Don’t be shy. This is your health, and you deserve clear answers. Here are some questions worth asking:
- Based on my symptoms and sleep study, am I a good candidate for oral appliance therapy?
- How does an oral appliance compare to CPAP for my specific situation?
- What side effects or risks should I know about?
- How long does it take to get used to wearing an appliance?
- How often will I need follow-up appointments?
- Will my insurance cover this? What will my out-of-pocket cost be?
Why Now Is the Perfect Time for Treatment
Our office and the dental labs we work with get very busy in the final months of the year. Many patients are trying to use their remaining insurance benefits before their plans reset in January.
And there’s a financial reason for that. If you’ve already met your deductible for the year, you’ll likely pay less out of pocket for your oral appliance than you would in January, when your deductible resets. That’s just how most insurance plans work.
So if you’ve been putting off getting help for your sleep apnea, now is a smart time to schedule. You’ll beat the year-end rush and potentially save money.
We’re Here to Help
A sleep apnea consultation isn’t something to be nervous about. It’s a conversation. It’s a chance to finally get answers about why you’re tired, why you snore, and what we can do about it.
If you’re ready to take that step, we’re ready to help. To schedule your consultation with Dr. Henrich, call our new patients line at (918) 553-5907 or request an appointment online.