Good Night Sleep

Regulate your sleep cycle. Be consistent with what time you go to bed and what time you wake up. Watch the sun rise and set. The colors help regulate your circadian rhythm. Limit electronic device time to at least thirty minutes before bed. Sleep with no lights at night and get direct sunlight when you wake up in the morning.

That’s wise sleep advice from DR. PALLAVI SARAF who opened her Wilmington-based practice, Magnolia Sleep Solutions, in February focused on improving sleep through proper diagnosis and treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.

“This specialty is a cumulation of everything I love,” Saraf says. Her degree in integrative physiology from the University of Colorado Boulder set the stage for looking at the body as a whole. Her Doctor of Dental Medicine from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston gave her a deep understanding of the head and neck and an appreciation of how tactile and objective dentistry is.

“If there is a problem, I use my knowledge and hands to fix it and see results,” she says. Her personal journey in health and wellness showed her how imperative it is to take care of one’s own health.

Originally from Marietta, Georgia, Saraf grew up getting a first-hand perspective of medicine assisting her father, an endodontist, who she says has also been incredibly supportive of her journey into sleep apnea.

“I first became interested in sleep because I had many dental patients with clenching, grinding, and jaw pain. Digging deeper into the causes, I realized that sleep is a huge component in these symptoms and in overall wellness. I became fascinated with the benefits of a good night’s rest,” she says.

Saraf says that 85% of individuals with sleep apnea don’t realize they have apnea or how it affects overall health which can include cardiovascular, immune, endocrine, and mental health issues. Her practice focuses on oral appliance therapy to mitigate mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea using FDA-approved mandibular advancement devices. Each patient is custom fit to an appliance. After finding the perfect, comfortable spot, the efficacy of the appliance is tested with a diagnostic home sleep test. Saraf pointed out other advantages – the appliance doesn’t require energy, is easy to travel with, is covered by insurance, and can be considered an alternative or adjunct to a CPAP.

Saraf has years of continuing education focused on sleep, breath, and airway from the International Academy of Sleep, The Breathe Institute, Nierman Practice Management, and the American Academy of Facial Esthetics among others. Her aim is to bring well-rounded custom care to her patients.

“Each program has taught me a valuable perspective and enabled me to form amazing connections with other providers. It takes a lot of training to hone this skill set because there are different types of sleep apnea, solutions, and medical providers involved in diagnosis and treatment,” she advises.

Grateful to call Wilmington her home after relocation for a job after dental school, Saraf visited Airlie Gardens which inspired the name of her practice. “The magnolias looked so beautiful. I learned that magnolia bark was used as an ancient sleep aid and although magnolias are considered classically southern, they actually originated from the East. I put the name to a vote with friends and family and Magnolia Sleep Solutions won,” she recalls.

DANI HOLCOMB is Saraf’s chief operations officer. Holcomb has worked in the dental field for many years and has clinical and front-office experience. “Most importantly, Dani is a wonderful person who makes sure patients have a positive experience. She was the first person I thought of when I decided to open my practice. We all need a Dani in our lives,” Saraf says.

Saraf considers herself a lifelong learner in her field. “I always have my nose in a book, a podcast in my queue, and a course to attend on the horizon,” she says. She intends to learn more about the benefits of good rest in today’s culture and be a part of that educational dialogue. “I believe we are an overstimulated and under-rested society. By raising awareness about sleep, we can increase overall wellness,” she says. Saraf educates on sleep apnea signs, sleep cycles, and overall wellness that can contribute to a better night’s sleep.

“I am looking forward to collaborating with other providers and businesses in town to provide a holistic approach. Seeing patients stop snoring, get restful sleep, and move back into the same bedroom as their partner makes me so happy. I would love to help good sleep be a priority for everybody,” she concludes.

To view more of photographer Terah Hoobler’s work, go to terahhoobler.com.

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