Sleep Study Requirements for Sleep Apnea Treatment
What You Need to Know Before Starting Oral Appliance Therapy
What is a sleep study?
Why is a Sleep Study Required?
A sleep study is an essential step in diagnosing sleep apnea and determining the most appropriate treatment. While symptoms such as snoring, fatigue, or poor sleep may raise concern, a sleep study is the only way to confirm a diagnosis and measure the severity of sleep apnea.
Before oral appliance therapy can be prescribed, a documented sleep study is required for both medical safety and insurance coverage.
What are the Different Types of Sleep Studies?
There are 2 common types of sleep studies used to diagnose sleep apnea.
Home Sleep Test (HST)
A home sleep test is performed in your own bed using a small, portable monitoring device.
Home sleep tests:
Are commonly used for suspected obstructive sleep apnea
Measure breathing patterns and oxygen levels
Are convenient and comfortable for many patients
Are often covered by medical insurance
What If You Already Have a Sleep Study?
If you have already completed a sleep study:
We can review your existing results
In many cases, repeat testing is not required
Insurance companies may require the study to be recent
Dr. Ola and our team can help determine whether your existing sleep study meets current requirements.
In-Lab Sleep Study (Polysomnography)
An in-lab sleep study is conducted overnight in a sleep center.
In-lab studies:
Provide the most detailed sleep data
Are used for complex cases or when other sleep disorders are suspected
Are monitored by trained technicians
Your medical provider will determine which type of study is most appropriate.
What Does a Sleep Study Measure?
A sleep study evaluates several important factors, including:
Breathing interruptions
Oxygen levels
Heart rate
Sleep stages
Body position during sleep
One key result from the study is the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI), which measures how many breathing interruptions occur per hour of sleep.
Why Is a Sleep Study Required for Oral Appliance Therapy?
A sleep study is required to:
Confirm the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea
Determine if oral appliance therapy is appropriate
Establish medical necessity for treatment
Meet insurance requirements for coverage
Allow proper monitoring of treatment effectiveness
Oral appliance therapy is a medical treatment, and it must follow established sleep medicine guidelines.
What If You’ve Never Had a Sleep Study?
If you have symptoms of sleep apnea but have never completed a sleep study, we can:
Coordinate with your medical provider
Help guide you toward appropriate testing
Explain next steps clearly and simply
The process is often easier than patients expect.
What Happens After the Sleep Study?
Once a sleep study confirms obstructive sleep apnea:
A treatment plan is recommended by your medical provider
Oral appliance therapy may be considered
Medical insurance coverage can be evaluated
Treatment effectiveness can be monitored
For patients who cannot tolerate CPAP, or prefer a more comfortable alternative, oral appliance therapy may be an effective option.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you have symptoms of sleep apnea or already have a sleep study, a consultation can help determine whether oral appliance therapy is right for you.
A sleep study is a medical test that monitors your breathing, oxygen levels, heart rate, and sleep patterns while you sleep.
The purpose of the study is to:
Confirm whether sleep apnea is present
Determine how severe it is
Guide appropriate treatment options
Sleep studies are ordered by a medical provider, such as a sleep physician or primary care provider.