Is At-Home Testing for Sleep Apnea Available?

Many patients ask whether sleep apnea can be identified from the comfort of home. With growing awareness of sleep health and increased access to portable medical devices, this question comes up often. The answer is yes: at-home sleep apnea tests exist. Dr. Makowski provides one of the leading home sleep apnea test machines, Z Machine by General Sleep Corp. The results are then interpreted by a Board Certified sleep physician for a diagnosis. These results can also be sent to your primary care physician. In either case, Dr. Makowski can treat the patient with an oral appliance best suited to you.

This article is intended for educational purposes only and does not replace personalized medical advice. If you are having difficulty breathing, waking up gasping for air, or experiencing severe daytime fatigue, you should seek medical attention immediately.

What are at-home sleep apnea tests?

At-home sleep apnea tests, commonly referred to as HSATs, are portable diagnostic devices prescribed by physicians and dentists. These tests measure breathing patterns, oxygen saturation, heart rate, and airflow while a patient sleeps in their own bed. For certain patients, particularly those with a high likelihood of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea and no complicated medical conditions, these tests can provide clinically useful information.

However, at-home tests have limitations. According to the Mayo Clinic and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, HSAT cannot diagnose all sleep disorders. A negative at-home test does not always rule out sleep apnea, which is why results must always be reviewed by a qualified medical provider.

What are common symptoms of sleep apnea?

Symptoms that often prompt sleep apnea testing include loud snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, dry mouth upon waking, difficulty concentrating, and breathing disturbances reported by a bed partner. Dentists frequently become part of the conversation when patients also show signs such as teeth grinding or jaw discomfort, which are commonly associated with disrupted sleep.

Do dentists diagnose sleep apnea?

No, dentists do not diagnose sleep apnea. However, once a medical diagnosis is made, dentists may help provide treatment options. One such option is oral appliance therapy, which the American Dental Association recognizes as an effective alternative treatment for sleep apnea in appropriate cases.

At this time, effective treatment for sleep apnea requires medical evaluation and ongoing clinical oversight to ensure safety and effectiveness. Untreated sleep apnea increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, and impaired cognitive function. If breathing issues or severe fatigue are present, medical evaluation should always come first.

Sleep apnea also has implications for oral health. Dry mouth, gum disease, and bruxism are commonly seen in patients with sleep-disordered breathing. This reinforces why dentists consider themselves part of a patient’s whole wellness team rather than isolated dental providers.

The team at Makowski Dental has training and experience in providing oral appliance therapy for patients with physician-diagnosed sleep apnea and in coordinating care with medical providers when concerns are identified. In fact, Dr. Makowski is a recognized, qualified dentist by the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. Experience the Makowski Dental difference by scheduling an appointment with our team, conveniently located in the Highline Centre in Denver, CO. Not sure if you have sleep apnea symptoms? Take our quiz to assess your risk of sleep apnea.

Sources:

1.       Mayo Clinic Staff. (2025). Sleep apnea – Diagnosis and treatment. Mayo Clinic.  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sleep-apnea/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20377636

2.       American Academy of Sleep Medicine. (2023). Home sleep apnea testing.  https://aasm.org/resources/factsheets/homesleepapneatesting.pdf

3.       National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2024). Sleep studies. NIH.  https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/sleep-studies

4.       American Dental Association. (2023). Oral appliance therapy for obstructive sleep apnea.  https://www.ada.org/resources/ada-library/oral-health-topics/sleep-apnea-obstructive