A Preview of What to Expect at Your Initial Sleep Apnea & Snoring Consultation
Patients who snore and have sleep apnea are extremely prevalent. It has been estimated that as many as 50% of men over age 50 snore and many women snore after menopause. Approximately 20% of the adult population has sleep apnea. Dr. Sep has taken extensive training in this area of sleep dentistry and has been prescribing oral appliances (custom mouthpiece) for many years to help patients reduce snoring and sleep apnea.
Dr. Sep has also spoken at many conferences to other general dentists as a lecturer on sleep apnea and snoring.
On your first visit to our office, you will be greeted by our friendly receptionists. Please arrive 10 minutes early to fill out necessary patient forms. One of our experienced assistants will take you back to the treatment room where you undergo a series of tests to determine the size of your airway and nasal cavities. Dr. Sep will then review all the forms and tests that were performed. The total appointment time is approximately 1 hour.
If you have had a previous sleep study, please bring in a copy for Dr. Sep to evaluate. Based on his assessment, Dr. Sep will determine if he thinks he can help correct your snoring or sleep apnea problem. If he feels that the chance for success is favourable, Dr. Sep will recommend that you come in for a complete set of records to help him make a thorough diagnosis. This records appointment will take approximately 90 minutes.
At this records appointment, patients will also be sent home with a Home Sleep Study. Patients love the fact that the home sleep study, which is essential to make the correct diagnosis, can be done in the patient’s own bed and is much less invasive than a hospital sleep study. We will have this home sleep study interpreted by a sleep specialist prior to your next appointment. A final consultation appointment will be set up to explain the diagnosis and treatment plan and an estimate is given prior to treatment. The final consultation appointment is approximately 30 minutes.
Once treatment is started, Dr. Sep will send an extensive report to all the health care providers at the request of the patient.
Please ask for a copy of the Snoring and Sleep Apnea brochure which should help to provide you with more information about your snoring and/or sleep apnea problem. We look forward to meeting you at your initial consultation appointment.
