Sleep Apnea Dental Appliance Vs Cpap

Oral appliances or dental devices in use by sleep medicine dentists for years are now fda approved as a first line treatment for mild moderate obstructive sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea dental appliance vs cpap.

Dental sleep apnea treatment. Recommended by the american academy of sleep medicine oral devices also called oral appliances can be used for the treatment of mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea osa. It simply moves your lower jaw forward to keep your. How do oral devices work for sleep apnea treatment.

The cpap machine was once the gold standard for treating sleep apnea but now the oral appliance is the go to method for those with obstructive sleep apnea. Continuous positive airway pressure therapy is the most commonly recommended treatment for sleep apnea. While sleep apnea machines have been the main defense against sleep apnea it isn t always the best treatment. Convenience cpap machines although considered very effective have a reputation for being inconvenient.

Recommended courses of action include weight loss sleep posture changes cpap machines and dental appliances. Here are the main differences between the oral appliance and the cpap machine. However while extremely effective the cpap does not work for everyone. Dental devices have also been shown to control sleep apnea long term compared to uvulopalatopharyngoplasty uppp the standard surgical procedure for apnea in which the surgeon removes soft.

Cpap machine vs oral appliance. Many people can t tolerate cpaps because. Although continuous positive airway pressure therapy is the most recommended treatment for patients with obstructive sleep apnea not all patients are able to remain compliant with this form of treatment some complain of claustrophobia dry nasal passages skin irritation from masks difficulty tolerating pressurized air and accidentally removing the mask while tossing at night. It dries out the nose and throat leading to hoarseness as well as a runny or stuffy nose.

However even with all of the options and advances in pap therapy some people are still unable to tolerate. The mayo clinic reports that the risk of sudden cardiac death doubles when someone has this disorder. Remember it s not just snoring and disrupted shuteye that are associated with sleep apnea. When a patient does not take well to the cpap a dentist who specializes in sleep therapy may recommend an oral appliance.

There s the machine itself a long hose and a mask or nasal pillow. It s difficult to get. Cpap continuous positive air pressure therapy is still the most prescribed therapy option for reducing apnea symptoms but there are many different sleep apnea treatment options like bipap tm that are readily available to patients. If you believe that you have sleep apnea visit a qualified medical professional who can assess your condition.

The sleep apnea oral appliance resembles a mouthguard.