At Complete Health Dentistry of Park Ridge, we believe that a healthy smile is the gateway to a healthy body. We focus on providing advanced diagnostic tools, such as the SleepImage ring, to help our patients identify and manage sleep-related breathing disorders from the comfort of their own homes.

Our Commitment To Your Complete Health

Our practice operates on the principle that dental care should support your systemic wellness and long-term vitality. Dr. Mark Kuchta and our dedicated Park Ridge dental team understand that oral issues can often be the first sign of broader health concerns, including sleep apnea.

By integrating sleep screening into our regular clinical evaluations, we offer a more proactive approach to your healthcare. Our hygienists are trained to look for specific clinical markers during your routine exams that may suggest you are at risk for airway obstruction or sleep-disordered breathing. This comprehensive health dentistry philosophy enables us to identify potential risks before they lead to more serious complications, such as cardiovascular disease or type 2 diabetes.

Why Our Team Focuses On Sleep Quality

Sleep is one of the most vital pillars of health, yet millions of people suffer from fragmented rest without knowing the cause. We prioritize sleep screening because untreated sleep apnea contributes to a wide range of illnesses, including high blood pressure, stroke, and chronic fatigue.

During your visit, we look for physical indicators such as worn tooth enamel from grinding, a scalloped tongue, or a narrow airway. If these markers are present, we may recommend a home sleep study using the SleepImage ring to collect objective data on your breathing while you sleep. This process is especially important for our patients seeking solutions for sleep apnea in Park Ridge, as it provides a clear picture of your nocturnal health without the need for an expensive or uncomfortable stay in a traditional sleep laboratory.

How The SleepImage Ring Improves Your Diagnostic Experience

The SleepImage ring is a lightweight, wearable device that captures high-quality data about your sleep cycles and breathing patterns. It offers a level of convenience and comfort that traditional sleep studies simply cannot match.

Patients often find it difficult to get a natural night of sleep when they are hooked up to wires in an unfamiliar clinic. The SleepImage ring lets you sleep in your own bed and follow your normal routine, which often yields more accurate, representative data. By wearing the ring for 2 to 3 nights, we can observe variations in your sleep quality and determine whether a more formal intervention is necessary. This technology reduces the stress of arranging independent testing and keeps your care conveniently centered within our practice.

Using Technology To Guide Your Sleep Apnea Treatment

The data we collect from your home sleep study serves as the foundation for a personalized treatment plan designed to improve your airflow and energy levels. Dr. Kuchta uses these results to determine if you are a candidate for a Mandibular Advancement Device, also known as a MAD.

A MAD is a custom-fitted oral appliance that gently positions your jaw forward to keep your airway open throughout the night. Once you begin wearing your appliance, we continue to use the SleepImage ring to titrate and monitor your progress. This means we can precisely adjust the device based on real data to ensure you get the maximum benefit from your treatment. We also make it a priority to screen all TMD patients for sleep apnea, as these conditions are frequently related, and we want to rule out breathing issues before addressing jaw joint discomfort.

Your Step-By-Step Guide To Using The SleepImage System

The SleepImage system is designed to be user-friendly, allowing you to manage your study with a simple app on your smartphone. We will provide you with all the resources you need to ensure your home study is a success.

  1. Getting Started: Our team will issue your SleepImage-compatible recorder and a guide for conducting your overnight test.
  2. Look for Your Patient ID: You will receive an email with a unique Patient ID, which you will use to register your account in the app.
  3. Download the App: You can download the SleepImage App to your mobile device by scanning the QR code provided in our office or visiting your app store.
  4. Set Up Your Account: After registering your account, pair your ring via Bluetooth, and ensure the device is fully charged before you head to bed.
  5. Complete Your Study: Wear the recorder on your finger and tap Start in the app. In the morning, stop the recording to allow the data to upload automatically to our office.
  6. Review Your Results: Dr. Kuchta will go over the findings with you during a follow-up consultation to discuss the next steps for your health.

Frequently Asked Questions About Home Sleep Studies

We want you to feel completely confident while using our home testing technology. Below are some of the most common questions we hear from patients preparing for their SleepImage study.

If you do not see the account verification email in your primary inbox, it may have been redirected by a spam filter. Please check your junk or spam folders and verify that your email address was entered correctly in the app; if the problem persists, you can use the retry button to request a new code.

Maintaining a stable Bluetooth connection is essential for a successful data upload. To ensure your recording is successful, we recommend keeping your phone plugged in and within 15 feet of your recorder, while also disabling power-saving modes and avoiding other apps during the study.

The SleepImage system uses advanced clinical algorithms to measure sleep quality and breathing stability with high precision. While a final diagnosis is often made in conjunction with a sleep physician, the data provided by the ring is an invaluable tool that allows Dr. Kuchta to monitor your treatment and ensure your oral appliance is functioning effectively.

Even minor snoring can be a sign of partial airway obstruction, which places unnecessary strain on your heart and nervous system over time. By identifying these issues early through a simple home test, we can help you avoid the long-term health risks associated with chronic oxygen deprivation during sleep.

Start Your Journey To Better Sleep Today

If you find yourself waking up tired or if a loved one has mentioned your snoring, it is time to take a closer look at your sleep health. Our team is here to provide the support and technology you need to reclaim your energy and protect your overall well-being.

As a benefit of being part of our practice, we offer complimentary take-home sleep tests for our existing patients to help you stay on top of your complete health. Call Complete Health Dentistry of Park Ridge at (847) 696-3240 to learn more about how the SleepImage ring can help you achieve the restful, restorative sleep you deserve.