Oral Appliance Therapy Vs Cpap

Travel with an oral appliance is easy.

Oral appliance therapy vs cpap.

Oral appliance therapy typically includes either a mandibular advancement device mad or tongue stabilizing device tsd sometimes referred to a tongue retaining device trd. An oral appliance does not require electricity like a cpap machine. In patients with severe osas cpap remains the treatment of first choice. Treating sleep apnea continuous positive airway pressure therapy is the most commonly recommended treatment for sleep apnea.

Oral device therapy 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. Oral appliance therapy should be considered as a viable treatment alternative to continuous positive airway pressure cpap in patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea syndrome osas. The device is small and fits right in your luggage. Studies indicate that within the first 90 days of treatment users of oral appliances are significantly more likely to keep using their device than those using cpap 3.

The oral appliance is an appealing treatment for sleep apnea and snoring provided by specialty dentists but what do you need to know to find an effective option. It is an appliance that patients wear during sleep that fits like a mouth guard or orthodontic retainer. Oral appliance therapy has higher compliance rates than cpap therapy cons of oral appliance therapy some patients report soreness in their jaw teeth or gums when using the device or when initially adjusting to the treatment may cause excessive salivation for some patients. Unlike cpap an oral appliance does not make any noise.

When a patient does not take well to the cpap a dentist who specializes in sleep therapy may recommend an oral appliance. Oral appliances are a good and effective alternative to cpap in treating mild to moderate sleep apnea. For instance cpap therapy may include a number of different types of machines including the bi level positive airway pressure bipap and auto adjusting cpap apap. Meaning that your spouse or partner will be able to get a restful night s sleep.

While people with moderate to severe apnea will get better results from cpap therapy ultimately some benefit from an imperfect treatment is better than no benefit from a treatment you give up on too soon to see results. This appliance pushes the jaw forward to help maintain an open upper airway during sleep.