What to Expect at Your Sleep Apnea Consultation with Us
If you’re considering treatment for sleep apnea or struggling with a treatment you’ve already tried, it’s normal to have questions about what happens next. You may be wondering whether an oral appliance could work for you, what records you’ll need, or whether you should have a sleep study before making an appointment.
At the Center for Dental Sleep Health, located within Levesque Dentistry in Nashua, NH, your first consultation is an opportunity to talk through your concerns, review your treatment history, and understand which next steps may be appropriate for you. Dr. Tara Levesque-Vogel and Dr. Keith Levesque focus on dental sleep medicine and helping patients understand their options for oral appliance therapy. We want you to feel comfortable asking questions and discussing what has—or hasn’t—worked for you.
If you haven’t been diagnosed with sleep apnea, we’ll help clarify the role of medical evaluation and sleep testing in determining the appropriate next step. If you’ve already received a diagnosis, we can discuss whether oral appliance therapy may be suitable for your needs.
Call our Nashua dental office today at (603) 886-4300 to schedule your sleep apnea consultation and find out why patients from Hudson, Merrimack, Milford, and throughout Southern New Hampshire trust our sleep center for expert care.
What to Expect at Your First Consultation
Your appointment is about understanding your situation before discussing possible dental treatment. The conversation and evaluation will depend on your medical history, whether you’ve had a sleep study, and what brings you to our office.
During your consultation, we may:
- Discuss your sleep concerns and how they affect your daily life.
- Review your sleep apnea diagnosis and any available sleep study results.
- Ask about previous treatments, including your experience with CPAP.
- Evaluate relevant dental and jaw considerations for oral appliance therapy.
- Explain potential treatment options, limitations, and follow-up needs.
- Discuss possible next steps based on your individual circumstances.
You don’t need to arrive with every answer. Bringing the information you have and explaining your concerns honestly can help make the appointment more useful.
How to Prepare for Your Consultation
A little preparation can help you make the most of your visit. If possible, bring the following information.
Bring Your Sleep Study Results and Diagnosis
If you’ve had a home sleep apnea test or an overnight sleep study, bring a copy of the report or ask your previous provider to send it to our office. Your diagnosis and test results can help inform the discussion about treatment options.
If you haven’t had a sleep study, let us know. A dental consultation doesn’t replace medical diagnosis, and appropriate medical evaluation and testing may be needed before sleep apnea treatment can be planned.
Make a List of Your Medications and Health Conditions
Bring an up-to-date medication list and information about relevant medical conditions. Include any treatment you’ve received for sleep apnea, if applicable.
This information helps the team understand your broader health needs and identify considerations that may affect dental treatment.
Write Down Your Symptoms and Questions
Think about what prompted you to seek help. For example, you might experience persistent daytime fatigue, or your partner may have noticed loud snoring or pauses in your breathing.
You can also write down questions about oral appliance therapy, possible side effects, treatment costs, or what happens if an appliance isn’t the right option for you.
If someone who sleeps near you has observed changes in your breathing, their observations may be useful to share with your medical provider.
What If You Haven’t Been Diagnosed With Sleep Apnea?
You can still ask questions about your concerns, but it’s important to establish whether sleep apnea is present before pursuing an appliance intended to treat it.
Your primary care provider or a qualified sleep medicine professional can evaluate your symptoms and determine whether a sleep study is appropriate. A dentist can recognize signs that may warrant medical referral, but an oral examination alone can’t confirm or rule out obstructive sleep apnea.
If you already have a sleep study scheduled or are waiting for results, let our team know. We can explain what information is useful for a dental sleep medicine consultation and when it makes sense to discuss treatment suitability.
For more information about testing, visit our guide to how a sleep study works.
What If You Have Sleep Apnea but Struggle With CPAP?
Some patients come to us after being diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea but find CPAP difficult to use. Mask discomfort, air leaks, dryness, or claustrophobia can make treatment challenging. If that sounds familiar, you can discuss your experience with our team. We’ll want to understand what you’ve tried, what has been difficult, and what questions you have about alternatives.
For some patients, a custom oral appliance may be an appropriate alternative to CPAP. Suitability depends on your diagnosis, health history, dental condition, and other individual factors. Your medical provider should remain involved in decisions about sleep apnea treatment and follow-up.
If you’re exploring this option, our CPAP alternatives page explains how oral appliance therapy may fit into care.
How Do We Determine Whether Oral Appliance Therapy Is Right for You?
A consultation doesn’t automatically mean you’ll receive an oral appliance. Before treatment can be recommended, the team needs to consider whether the approach is suitable for your diagnosis and oral health.
If oral appliance therapy appears appropriate, the next steps may include:
- Reviewing your diagnosis and health history. Available sleep study information and your treatment goals help guide the discussion.
- Evaluating your teeth, gums, and jaw. The team assesses whether your oral health and jaw function are suitable for a therapeutic appliance.
- Discussing the device and treatment plan. You’ll learn about how the Herbst or ProSomnus appliance works, what adjustments may involve, and possible side effects such as jaw discomfort or bite changes.
- Planning the next appointment. If you and the provider decide to proceed, the team will explain the steps needed to arrange a custom appliance and schedule subsequent visits.
- Planning follow-up. Follow-up appointments help assess fit, comfort, and dental changes. Medical follow-up and sleep testing may also be needed to determine how well the treatment is controlling sleep apnea.
The aim is to make an informed decision together, with realistic expectations about the benefits, limitations, and responsibilities involved in treatment.
Questions to Ask During Your First Consultation
Your appointment is a good time to ask anything that would help you feel more confident about the next step. Consider asking:
- Am I a suitable candidate for oral appliance therapy?
- What information or testing do you need before recommending treatment?
- What side effects or dental changes should I understand?
- How will we know whether treatment is working?
- What follow-up appointments or sleep testing might I need?
- What costs should I expect, and can you help me understand my insurance benefits?
You don’t have to make every treatment decision during your first visit. The goal is to understand your options and know what needs to happen next.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a sleep study before my first consultation?
Not necessarily to discuss your concerns, but sleep apnea must be medically evaluated and diagnosed before an oral appliance is prescribed to treat it. If you haven’t had testing, your medical provider can determine whether a sleep study is appropriate.
How long does the first consultation take?
Appointment length can vary depending on your medical and dental history, available records, and the questions you have. Contact our office before your visit if you’d like to confirm how much time to allow.
Will I receive an oral appliance at my first appointment?
Usually, a first consultation is focused on reviewing your situation and determining whether treatment may be appropriate. If an appliance is recommended, additional steps are generally needed to arrange a custom device and schedule a fitting.
Should I bring my CPAP machine to the appointment?
If you’ve been using CPAP and are considering alternatives, bring information about your current treatment and the problems you’ve encountered. You can also ask our team whether bringing your equipment would be helpful for your particular visit.
Will insurance cover my consultation or oral appliance?
Coverage varies by plan, diagnosis, medical necessity criteria, and the services provided. Contact your insurer and ask our office about the information needed to check benefits and understand potential out-of-pocket costs before beginning treatment.
Schedule Your First Consultation in Nashua, NH
If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea and want to explore oral appliance therapy—or you’re unsure what your next step should be—we welcome your questions. At the Center for Dental Sleep Health, Dr. Tara Levesque-Vogel and Dr. Keith Levesque work with patients to understand their concerns, discuss dental treatment suitability, and plan appropriate next steps in coordination with medical care. Contact our Nashua dental office at (603) 886-4300 to contact our team. We serve patients in Nashua and nearby communities, including Hudson, Merrimack, and Milford.