At Dental Sleep Medicine of Northeast Florida, we take a unique and thorough approach to your care. Our process is designed to ensure you receive the best possible treatment for your sleep concerns. Here’s what you can expect:
The consultation is tailored to your needs, whether you’re new to the process or have already begun your sleep journey. Before your visit, you'll complete a new patient packet with essential questionnaires. Though it may feel like a lot, every piece of information helps us provide the best care.
During the consultation, Dr. Chiafair will review your questionnaires, perform an oral exam, and screen for any nasal or jaw concerns. If any referrals are needed, we handle those before moving forward with treatment. A recent dental clearance from your dentist is required before we proceed. If you need this, we provide a form for your dentist on our website.
If you haven’t had a sleep study within the last year, you’ll need to see your physician. This ensures we address any underlying conditions and confirm that oral appliance therapy (OAT) is the right treatment for you. Your physician will provide a prescription for OAT, which we’ll need to begin your therapy.
Once you're ready to move forward, your next visit is a comprehensive evaluation. This one-hour appointment includes oral exams, impressions, and bite registrations to create your custom oral appliance. You’ll also receive guidance on jaw exercises and stretches, which are key to successful treatment.
At your Records Appointment, we’ll take impressions and bite registration, which are sent to the lab to create your custom oral appliance. It usually takes about a month for your appliance to be ready, though we offer rush options if needed.
When your appliance is ready, you’ll come in for a delivery appointment. Dr. Chiafair will ensure a perfect fit and provide instructions on how to use and care for your device. This visit typically lasts about 45 minutes.
Once you have your appliance, the journey isn’t over. Oral appliance therapy requires commitment. You’ll wear your device every night, follow daily jaw exercises, and track your progress with a Home Calibration Test (HCT). This tool helps us find the right adjustments for your comfort and effectiveness.
After calibration, you’ll return to your physician for follow-up and further guidance.
We’ll see you for follow-ups six months after your initial calibration and then every year after that. These visits help us ensure your appliance is still working properly and make any necessary adjustments.
Oral appliance therapy isn’t a cure, but it can effectively manage obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) when used consistently. Your appliance will need to be replaced about every 2-3 years, depending on your care and oral health.
From start to finish, the process usually takes about three months, but OAT is a lifelong therapy that requires ongoing follow-up care! If you’re eager to learn more, contact us today to schedule your initial consultation!
Our goal is to help every patient experience the benefits of a restorative night’s sleep. We value the trust you have placed in our office and strive to provide solutions that meet your needs and expectations of care.