Oral Appliances: An Effective Alternative for Sleep Apnea Treatment
If you have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, you may be exploring treatment options beyond the traditional CPAP machine. Oral appliances, also known as mandibular advancement devices, offer the top alternative compared to bulky CPAP machines. These custom-fitted mouthpieces are designed to gently reposition the jaw and tongue, preventing the airway from becoming obstructed during sleep. No mask, no hose, no machines; just a return to a restful night of sleep.
At Best Sleep Today, we provide our patients with a variety of high-quality oral appliance options to suit their individual preferences and needs. Dr. Mason and the team will work closely with you to determine the most appropriate device based on factors such as the severity of your sleep apnea, jaw structure, and personal comfort levels. The top priority is giving you your quality of life back with a return to deep, restful sleep.
See the Difference: Oral Appliances vs CPAP
While CPAP machines have long been a standard treatment for sleep apnea, oral appliances offer a simple and comfortable alternative. While CPAP delivers a steady flow of air through a mask and machinery to keep the airway open during sleep, oral appliances are custom-made mouthpieces that reposition the lower jaw and tongue to prevent the airway from collapsing. CPAP involves a machine, mask, and tubing, while oral appliances are compact devices that fit easily in your mouth.
Because of the hassle and limitations of CPAP machines, an increasing number of patients are exploring oral appliances as a preferable sleep apnea treatment option. Patients often find the face masks, hoses, and noise from the machine to be uncomfortable and intrusive, making it difficult to sleep well.
Advantages of Oral Appliances Over CPAP
While CPAP therapy is a widely recognized treatment for sleep apnea, many patients struggle with the discomfort and inconvenience associated with the bulky face mask and hose. CPAP is effective when used properly, but it can be cumbersome and disruptive. Oral appliances offer several advantages over CPAP machines:
- Portability and Comfort: Oral appliances are small, lightweight devices that do not restrict movement or make noise during the night. This makes them an ideal choice for frequent travelers or those who find CPAP masks uncomfortable.
- Improved Compliance: Research has shown that patients are more likely to adhere to treatment plans involving oral appliances compared to CPAP machines. One of the biggest factors in favor of oral appliances is the compliance advantage. Far more patients are compliant and tolerant with oral appliance therapy (OAT) than CPAP.
- No Bulky Equipment or Machines: Unlike CPAP machines, oral appliances don’t require bulky equipment or whirring machines. The appliance is worn like a night guard, helping everyone to sleep better throughout the night.
- Customizable Fit: Each oral appliance is custom-made to fit your unique mouth structure, ensuring maximum comfort and effectiveness.
At Best Sleep Today, we understand that every patient’s needs are different. Our team will work closely with you to determine whether an oral appliance is the right solution for your sleep apnea. We offer a range of high-quality devices from trusted manufacturers that are FDA approved, ensuring you receive the best possible treatment for improved sleep quality and overall health.
How Beneficial Is Oral Appliance Therapy?
90% of people choose mandibular advancement devices over tongue-retaining devices, even though tongue-retaining devices appear to be just as effective.
Mandibular advancement devices are often considered a secondary option for treating OSA due to personal preference.
Alternative to CPAP
Oral appliances work by physically opening the airway to lessen OSA symptoms.
Patients who cannot tolerate CPAP machines may be the perfect candidate for an oral appliance.
To treat this condition, you wear a dental appliance on both your top and bottom teeth. This helps keep your lower jaw pushed forward.
By maintaining the tongue and the jaw forward, the mandibular advancement device increases the likelihood that the airway will remain open.
For patients who are unable to use a CPAP machine, mandibular advancement device therapy is a common alternative. However, its effectiveness can vary from patient to patient.
In cases of bothersome snoring and mild to moderate OSA, a mandibular advancement device might be most effective.
Patients Prefer The Alternative to CPAP
Studies show that 81% of people choose and prefer oral appliance therapy over CPAP*. Patients cited effectiveness, transportability, and cost as three of the top reasons why they ditched the bulky CPAP machines for simple and effective Oral Appliance Therapy.
Dr. Mason and our team want to make sure that you have the perfect oral appliance for your specific case. While it doesn’t work as simply as requesting one appliance over the other, it may be helpful to look through the different options available. If you would like to see the oral appliances, click here.
