8 min read
Why Oral Appliances Are Quietly Replacing CPAP as the Future of Sleep Apnea Treatment
Key Highlights
- Oral appliance therapy is a good and effective treatment for people with mild to moderate sleep apnea. It can be a good choice if you do not want to use CPAP therapy.
- Oral appliances are small and shaped to fit the mouth. They are not bulky like CPAP machines. You feel comfortable wearing them. They are quiet and easy to use each night.
- Some benefits of oral appliance therapy include better sleep, easy travel, and more people stick with using them. This helps the quality of life get better for most people.
- These devices work by gently moving your jaw. This makes your airway stay open so you can have a good night’s sleep.
- About 90% of people keep using oral appliance therapy, but only half of people keep using CPAP. This means that with appliance therapy, you get more people using their treatment all the time.
Introduction
Are you tired of putting on your CPAP mask every night? If you or someone you care about has sleep apnea, you know this can be tough. There is often loud snoring, and you may wake up still feeling tired. A big CPAP machine can feel uncomfortable. A lot of people do not feel good about using CPAP therapy. The machine can be in the way every night.
But now, there are new ways to help. Oral appliance therapy is making things better for people with sleep apnea. This appliance therapy does not feel big, and it is not hard to use. With oral appliance therapy, it is much easier to get good sleep. It can be a simple way for you to feel better.
The Struggle with CPAP: Understanding Traditional Sleep Apnea Treatment
For years, many people with sleep apnea have used CPAP therapy. This means using a mask at night while you sleep. The mask gives steady air into your throat. The positive airway pressure helps keep your airway open all night. Some people feel better with this. But CPAP therapy may not work for everyone.
The problems that people have with CPAP can make them use it off and on. This makes the treatment not work as well. Let’s talk about why people keep using CPAP and what most patients go through with this.
Why CPAP Has Been the Standard for Decades
A CPAP machine is shown to be a top treatment option for people who have obstructive sleep apnea. The CPAP machine helps those with obstructive sleep apnea by sending out a steady air flow. The air moves through a hose into a mask you wear on your nose or mouth. This stream of air keeps your airway open while you sleep. The machine stops breathing pauses that are common in sleep apnea. It works well for moderate or severe obstructive sleep apnea.
This method helps fix the main reason for OSA. The issue is when your airway closes. For people who feel strong signs of OSA, using a continuous positive airway pressure device helps a lot. A continuous positive airway pressure device gives good support fast. This device can lower the number of apnea attacks by a big amount. It also makes your blood oxygen level better while you sleep.
Doctors have trusted the CPAP machine for a long time. It can help people the most when they use it the right way. People say that this is the best way to deal with the big health risks that come from sleep apnea. The machine does work well, but it is not the only thing that helps. Using it every day is also very important.
Challenges of CPAP: Comfort, Noise, and Lifestyle Impact
Even though the CPAP machine can help with sleep, many people feel it is hard to use every night. The machine and gear are big and not simple to wear on your face. The positive airway pressure from the mask, hose, and machine may feel strange or not natural when you try to sleep. A lot of people say it stops them from getting good rest. The cpap machine and its airway pressure can also make life feel less comfortable for you.
Many people stop CPAP therapy because it can feel uncomfortable. The mask may hurt your skin. It can feel tight or leak air. The blowing air may cause a dry mouth or dry nose.
Some things that people say when they use cpap therapy often be:
- Discomfort: Wearing a mask from the cpap machine on your face can feel strange and not nice. It may take time for you to get used to it, and you may not find it easy to find a good way to sleep.
- Noise: The cpap machine motor and the moving air can make a lot of noise. This loud sound can bug you and, at times, your partner through the night.
- Inconvenience: When you go on a trip, the cpap machine and all its extras can be hard to take with you. It is big, heavy, and not simple to move around with.
- Maintenance: The cpap machine and the parts must be cleaned every day. This helps to keep bacteria away and makes sure the stuff you use is good and safe.
What Compliance Data Reveals About CPAP Usage
The best treatment is the one that you will keep using. When you look at cpap therapy for sleep apnea, you see most people do not use it the way they should. A lot of sleep apnea patients find it hard to keep using cpap therapy over time. Because of this, cpap therapy does not give them the good results for health or quality of life that it can.
Studies say that about half of people who start cpap therapy keep using their cpap machine for a long time. This shows that the other half do not use it as much, so they do not get all the health benefits from it. Most people stop because of how wearing it feels and how it works with their daily life.
Oral appliances are used right by more people. This means they can be a better pick for many of us in our day-to-day life. Here is how these stack up when you look at the other choices:
Treatment Type
Average Compliance Rate
CPAP Therapy
~50%
Oral Appliance Therapy
~90%
This clear gap shows something important. A treatment might look strong at the start. But it is how people use it in their daily lives that really matters. In the end, it is how well people follow the treatment that counts most.
Introducing Oral Appliance Therapy: A Modern Sleep Apnea Solution
Have you ever wondered if it is possible to get help for sleep apnea without a mask, hose, or loud machine? Now, you can with oral appliance therapy. This is a new treatment option that is catching on quickly. It uses a small oral appliance made to fit just for you. You put it in your mouth when you go to sleep.
For many people, this is a new way that helps them get steady care. This can help you feel better in your day-to-day life. In this text, you will read about what this therapy is. You can find out about the different types that are there. We will also tell you how these types can work with your own needs to help your quality of life.
What Is Oral Appliance Therapy in Dental Sleep Medicine?
Oral appliance therapy is a way to help treat snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. You do not need any surgery. You wear a removable oral appliance when you sleep. It looks like a mouthguard from sports or a simple retainer for your teeth. The oral appliance keeps your airway open while you sleep. This lets you breathe well all night. Appliance therapy is good for those with obstructive sleep and sleep apnea. The treatment helps you sleep better and feel safe and comfortable when resting.
This treatment is included in dental sleep medicine. In this area, sleep medicine specialists and dentists team up. They help people who get sleep apnea and have trouble breathing at night. A sleep doctor will find out if you have sleep apnea. After that, a dentist who does dental sleep medicine will give you a custom appliance and make sure it fits you well.
Groups such as the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine show dentists the best way to give sleep medicine care. They work with your doctor to watch how you do and make sure you get good help from dental sleep medicine. This helps your care to be better and things to fit together well.
Types of Sleep Apnea Oral Devices: Mandibular Advancement and More
There are a few types of oral appliances. All of them work to keep the airway open. The main ones you will see are mandibular advancement devices and tongue retaining devices.
The most common type of oral appliance is called a MAD. Some people know these as mandibular advancement splints or mandibular repositioning appliances. This kind of oral appliance works by moving the lower jaw ahead. It fits right over the upper and lower teeth. That makes the lower jaw go a bit forward. When this happens, the soft tissues at the back of the throat get tight. It also helps to stop the tongue from going down into the airway.
While MADs are used more often, TRDs give people another option to fix the problem.
- Mandibular Advancement Devices (MADs): Mandibular advancement devices are the most used devices. They pull the lower jaw forward. This helps keep your airway open.
- Tongue Retaining Devices (TRDs): Tongue retaining devices use suction. This keeps the tongue forward and stops it from blocking your throat. If you cannot use a MAD, these might be a good pick.
- Custom vs. Over-the-Counter: A device made just for you by an expert will be more cozy and also work better than common “boil-and-bite” types sold over the counter.
How Oral Appliances Are Custom-Fitted for Individual Needs
Oral appliances are made for you, not for everyone. They are not “one size fits all.” Most people start with this once they know they have sleep apnea. A sleep study can help you find out if you have this problem. After that, your doctor might send you to a qualified dentist. This dentist knows a lot about sleep medicine. A dentist in dental sleep medicine will help you get what you need for your sleep apnea.
During your consult, the dentist looks at your teeth, jaw, tongue, and the airway. You may talk to your sleep doctor at this time. The dentist and sleep doctor could both look together at your sleep endoscopy results. The sleep endoscopy shows the place where your airway gets blocked when you sleep. After they finish checking everything, they decide if mad therapy is good for you.
With this information, the dentist will know the right shapes of your teeth. The dentist uses this to make a device that is made for your mouth only. A device with the right fit is important for you. It helps the device feel comfortable in your mouth. A good fit also keeps it in the right place as you use it. The appliance can then move your jaw just enough to help keep your airway open.
The Science Behind Oral Appliances for Snoring and Sleep Apnea
A simple mouthpiece can help you with snoring and sleep apnea. When you go to sleep, the upper airway can get blocked by your tongue or the soft palate if they fall back. This can make you snore or stop breathing for a short time, which is what sleep apnea is. A mouthpiece keeps the upper airway open during the night. You will breathe better, have less blockage, and feel better all day.
Oral appliances help keep the airway open. They do not use airway pressure like a CPAP machine. Oral appliances move your jaw. This makes more space in the back of your throat. It helps air move through easily. For many, this is enough to help breathing feel normal again.
How Oral Appliances Keep Airways Open
The main job of an oral appliance is to keep the upper airway open. This helps you get better sleep and breathe well at night. Mandibular advancement splints move your lower jaw a bit forward. This easy move keeps the upper airway clear, so air can go through with no trouble.
This movement makes things in your throat move forward. It also pulls the base of the tongue away from the back of the throat. At the same time, the muscles and ligaments that connect to your jaw get tight. This keeps the soft palate and other tissues steady. When these tissues stay in place, they will not shake and make you snore or fold in to cause apnea.
Think about this like giving air an easy and wider way in and out as you sleep. The appliance helps by holding your tongue and soft parts of your mouth in place. This stops them from falling back. That falling back happens at night because your muscles relax and gravity pulls. The airway can then be blocked. With this appliance, you breathe better, so air goes through with no problem. Your breathing will be clear the whole night.
Comparing Mechanisms: Oral Appliance Therapy vs CPAP Alternative
The way oral appliance therapy works is different from CPAP therapy. CPAP therapy uses a steady flow of air with pressure. Oral appliance therapy, instead, uses gentle positioning in your mouth, and it does not need force. You need to know this difference. This can help you see why oral appliance therapy is often a good CPAP alternative.
CPAP therapy helps you by using continuous positive airway pressure. This keeps the throat open while you sleep. The machine gives steady airway pressure. It makes a soft air cushion inside the throat. This stops the throat from closing. Positive airway pressure works well for most people. You need the mask to fit tight. You also need a power supply. The machine gives continuous positive airway all night, so you need to wear it for the whole night to make sure it works.
Oral appliance therapy helps in a different way because it changes the way your mouth sits when you rest. It does not push or force your jaw. The oral appliance gently moves your jaw, which lets your mouth have more space in a natural way.
This therapy does not need a machine. So, there is no loud noise or air coming out. Most people feel this kind of appliance therapy is softer for the body. It is easy to get used to oral appliance therapy for many people. The feel of oral appliance therapy is better for most people than other ways.
Ease of Use and Portability: How Oral Appliances Improve Daily Life
One good thing about using an oral appliance is how simple it is. It can fit in with your life, and this helps make your quality of life better. You do not have to put together a CPAP machine every night. You just put the oral appliance in your mouth like you would with a retainer.
This device helps you get restful sleep whether you are at home or out. It is small, so you can put it in your pocket and carry it with you anytime. You do not have to think too much about how you will get your treatment or make many plans ahead. This device takes away the stress that people often feel when using CPAP.
The improvements to daily life are clear:
- Effortless Nightly Routine: You just need to put the device in your mouth before you go to sleep.
- Freedom to Move: You are free to sleep in any way you want. You do not have to deal with hoses.
- Easier Travel: The appliance fits into a small case that you can take with you. You do not need to bring power cords, water, or large bags. Discreet and Silent: The device cannot be seen by people. It also makes no noise.
Key Benefits of Oral Appliance Therapy for Sleep Apnea Patients
The benefits of oral appliance therapy are more than just it being simple to use instead of CPAP. Oral appliance therapy helps sleep apnea patients get better sleep. When people use oral appliance therapy, they feel better and feel healthier. It can make each day feel better for them. Appliance therapy is also a good way to treat snoring, so people can have more peace at home.
You can get more comfort with this and use it for a long time. These good things all work together, so you see real changes. Here are some of the main benefits you will get.
Enhanced Comfort and Quiet Sleep
Comfort is key when you want to get a good night’s sleep. Oral appliances are made to feel good, so they fit well in your mouth. A lot of people use them because of that. A custom-fitted device sits on your teeth in the right way. It stays in place and does not hurt you or make your mouth feel bad.
This extra comfort helps you have better sleep. You can rest well now. There is nothing too tight on your face or any hose to bother you. You feel more at ease and sleep goes deeper and feels more natural. In the morning, you get up refreshed.
The benefits for your sleep quality are numerous:
- No Mask Irritation: You do not have to worry about red marks, skin trouble, or feeling shut in from wearing a mask. You can say goodbye to all these issues.
- Freedom of Movement: You can sleep on your back, your side, or your stomach. There is nothing to stop how you want to move in bed.
- Quiet Sleep: This appliance is very quiet. You and your partner can both have a calm night with no noise.
- Improved Sleep Cycles: When there are less pauses, your body can go through all stages of sleep. This is good for your body and mind, and will help you feel better.
Easier Travel and Greater Convenience
For people who go out of town for work or fun, oral appliance therapy helps make travel easy. A CPAP machine comes with a lot to pack. You need the machine, power cords, hoses, and sometimes distilled water. All this can be hard to carry for some patients. It can be so much trouble on the road that some folks do not use their treatment when away from home. An oral appliance is easy to use, so appliance therapy stays simple and you have less to worry about when heading out.
Oral appliances help you avoid using big machines. These devices are small and light. You can put the device in a tiny case. It is easy to pack it in your carry-on bag or keep it in your pocket. This makes travel simpler for people who have sleep apnea. You do not need to stop your sleep apnea treatment, no matter where you go.
This helpful feature can make your day feel easier. You will feel less stress, and it gives you more time for what you want to do. It can give your quality of life a good boost.
- Portability: This sleep apnea device is small and strong. You do not need any extra parts to use it.
- No Electricity Needed: You can use it at many different places. Bring it to the hotel room, campsite, or any other spot you go.
- Simple Maintenance: Cleaning it is quick and easy. A toothbrush and cleanser can get the job done well.
- Spontaneity: With this, your travel plans are not held back by sleep apnea equipment steps or needs. You can just go where you want, when you feel like it.
Higher Compliance Rates and Improved Quality of Life
The best way to know if a treatment is good is to check if people keep using it for a long time. Oral appliances do well in this case. Almost 90% of people use them the correct way. That number is a lot higher than it is for CPAP machines. Only about half of people use CPAP like they should. When something is simple and feels right, people want to keep using it. This helps them stay with the treatment.
Sticking to therapy every night is a good way for people with sleep apnea to feel better. If you use it each night, you can help keep your blood pressure from getting too high. It also lets you feel more awake, and helps your mind feel clear and sharp.
In the end, this can really help your quality of life. You will feel more awake when you go through the day. Your mood can be better too. The way you talk and connect with people may improve, especially if you snore and it keeps your partner up at night. The device is easy to use. It lets you take care of your health without changing how you live.
Long-Term Health Advantages—Reduced Risks of Serious Conditions
Treating sleep apnea helps you sleep better at night. It is also important to keep your health safe as you get older. If you do not treat sleep apnea, it can cause big health problems. Using oral appliance therapy or appliance therapy helps your body get the oxygen it needs when you sleep. A good oral appliance works all night to lower these health risks.
Using an oral appliance each night can help lower your blood pressure. This happens because your body does not keep losing oxygen while you sleep. That takes the stress off your body. Because of this, you may be less likely to get heart disease, stroke, or atrial fibrillation. When you sleep well and feel rested all the time, your health can get better overall.
Getting good sleep is good for your brain in many ways. It can help your memory, let you think more clearly, and help you focus better. When you start to deal with sleep apnea, you help both your body and mind stay healthy for a long time.
Determining Who Is an Ideal Candidate for Oral Appliance Therapy
Oral appliance therapy can be a good way to treat sleep apnea for many people, but it may not help everyone. This kind of appliance therapy works best for sleep apnea patients who are part of a certain group. Most doctors will give an oral appliance to people who have mild sleep apnea or moderate sleep apnea first.
But, this may also work well for people with severe sleep apnea, especially if they have trouble using a CPAP. A sleep specialist and a qualified dentist will look at your case. They help you know if this choice is right for you. Let’s find out who can get the most from it.
Mild to Moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnea or Persistent Snoring
The people who get the most help from oral appliance therapy are those who have mild to moderate sleep apnea. In these people, the airway does not close as much. A small move of the jaw can help fix it. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine says that doctors can first try an oral appliance for this group. So, appliance therapy is a good choice for many people who look for help in sleep medicine.
It is a good way to help with snoring. You do not need to have sleep apnea for this to work. If snoring keeps you or your partner awake at night, a custom oral appliance can help make the night quiet and calm. This effective treatment of snoring will let people get better rest.
People who do not get good results with CPAP can try an oral appliance. If wearing a CPAP mask is too tough, if it makes you feel closed in, or if it is not easy for you to use, there is another way. An oral appliance is a good choice and it works well. You may feel better about using it every day. It is made to feel good and work for you.
The Role of a Dentist Specializing in Dental Sleep Medicine
Getting the right oral appliance is not something you should do alone. You need a dentist who works in dental sleep medicine. The people in this field have extra training after school. They know how mouth health, jaw movement, and breathing during sleep all go together. This lets them give you the best care in sleep medicine with the right oral appliance for you.
After you find out you have sleep apnea, your sleep doctor will often send you to see a qualified dentist. This dentist is in your healthcare team. The dentist works with sleep medicine specialists. Together, they help make sure your treatment is good and safe. The dentist knows how to choose the best device for you and your body. The sleep medicine specialists and the dentist talk about your care. This way, your health is always put first.
Choosing a dentist with this training is important. The dentist will know how to make an FDA-approved device that fits you. They will make sure it fits well and can change it if needed. This helps it work at its best and keeps side effects low. You can feel good knowing you will get the best results from your care.
Getting Started—The Oral Appliance Fitting and Adjustment Process
Are you ready to find out about oral appliance treatment? The process is simple and made for people like you. It begins with a full talk about what you need. A sleep doctor and a qualified dentist will guide you every step of the way. In the end, you will feel better and enjoy a whole night of sleep without waking up.
From the first day you use your device, you will feel a difference. The device should feel right and work in the way you want. It does not take long to feel used to it. The whole point is for you to feel better sleep and feel good as you use it. This is what you can look forward to as you begin your road to better sleep.
What to Expect During Your Consultation and Device Fitting
Your way to better sleep begins when you meet with a qualified dentist. At this first visit, the dentist will go over your medical history and the results from your sleep study. The dentist will also check your teeth, gums, jaw, and airway. This makes it easy to see if you are a good fit for the therapy.
After you get approved for treatment, the next step is to get an oral appliance that fits well. You will go to the dentist, and he will either use digital scans or make physical molds of your teeth. These scans or molds are very accurate and help make sure the oral appliance fits right for you. The dentist will send the molds to a dental lab. At the lab, they will make an oral appliance just for you. A good fit for your oral appliance is very important at this part.
When your device is ready, you will come back for the last fitting. The dentist will:
- Put the appliance in your mouth to check if it fits the way you want and feels good.
- The doctor will show you how you can put it in, how to take it out, and how to clean it.
- The doctor will change it to slowly help move your jaw forward, if you need it.
- You will go back for checkups to see how it works and to change the appliance if needed.
Navigating the Adjustment Period with Your Sleep Apnea Oral Device
When you start to use an oral appliance, there is a short time when your body needs to get used to it. In the first days, you might feel some light side effects. Your mouth and jaw may feel different as they get used to the oral appliance. Most side effects are mild and do not last long. If you keep using the oral appliance every day, these side effects usually get better after a few weeks.
People often feel as if there is too much spit in the mouth or sometimes feel a dry mouth during this time. You can feel a bit of pain in your teeth or feel sore in your jaw. The dentist will speak about these things and tell you what to do if you feel any of them. It is good to talk about your worries with the dentist when you go to them for a checkup.
It is important to be patient when you first start using the device. In only a short time, many people find that the appliance gets easier to use and it stops bothering them at night. After this, you will notice a big change in your sleep quality. You also get more energy in the day. These good changes make this short time feel worth it.
Conclusion
Oral appliance therapy is now a popular way to treat sleep apnea. The oral appliance is easier to use and feel than a CPAP. A CPAP can be noisy and tricky for some people to use. The oral appliance works by moving your jaw a bit. This helps to keep the airway open while you sleep.
Many people who use appliance therapy find they feel good and sleep better. Their quality of life often improves as well. A restful sleep every night is needed to feel good during the day. If you do not feel good with CPAP or want to try something new, oral appliance therapy can be a good choice for you. You can visit Dental Arts of Brooklyn to get a checkup and see if this therapy is right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
From how the AMA works to what to expect during the process, here are the most common questions we hear, answered simply and clearly.
Yes, for many people who have sleep apnea, using an oral appliance is a good and proven way to help. This type of oral appliance therapy works well for people who have mild to moderate sleep apnea. If your sleep apnea is severe and you are not able to use cpap therapy, this is an effective treatment and a good option. So, these oral appliances can be a good replacement for many people.
Minor side effects from oral appliance therapy can show up, mostly in the beginning. You might feel some jaw soreness, have a dry mouth, or see more saliva in your mouth. If you use the oral appliance for a long time, your bite could change a bit. These side effects are not bad. A dentist who knows about appliance therapy can help you deal with these issues during regular check-ups.
Many people who use an oral appliance say they sleep better and snore less after using it for a few nights. If you stick with appliance therapy every night, you can feel better in just a few weeks. Most people say they feel more energy in the day and feel their quality of life get better. All these changes help you work toward better health.
