I Need An Alternative To CPAP
Oral Appliance Therapy
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines used to be a popular treatment for sleep disorders like snoring and apnea. While highly effective, they are unfortunately uncomfortable for many patients and can be inconvenient. Luckily, many patients with sleep apnea respond well to oral appliance therapy. Instead of a mask that keeps oxygen flowing, your oral appliance is worn like a mouthguard to keep your tongue and jaw positioned and keep your throat open. As a result, your airways are open, and you can breathe better at night. Many patients prefer this treatment over CPAP masks because it is more comfortable and simpler to wear.
If you have noticed that you are struggling with breathing at night, feeling worn out during the day, or have other symptoms of sleep apnea, get in touch with our team for a consultation. Once we make a diagnosis, we can potentially fit you with an oral appliance. Using oral appliance therapy instead of a CPAP machine offers several benefits.
- No noise from machines or in-mask breathing
- Easy to clean
- Small and portable
- Convenient for travel
- No electricity required
- Comfortable and simple to use
- Reduce or prevent bruxism (grinding)
- There are no hoses to tangle with while sleeping
- No mask to cause skin irritations
- No feelings of claustrophobia
When your CPAP is not working for you
If you cannot tolerate the uncomfortable feeling of wearing your CPAP mask, you are less likely to use it, and therefore the treatment is not effective. Some common reasons for CPAP failure include:
- Seasonal allergies or ongoing congestion
- Nasal, sinus, or upper palate issues (such as a deviated septum)
- Skin irritation on the face
- Nasal irritation, dryness, or bleeding
- Claustrophobia, or a sensation of suffocation
- Respiratory infections
- Abdominal bloating & gas
- Machine disturbs sleep (or partner’s sleep)
How CPAP Machines Compare To Oral Appliance Therapy
Don’t like using a CPAP? An oral appliance may be the right solution for you. Instead of wearing a mask that helps with airflow at night, you can wear an oral appliance that keeps your jaw and tongue in place. By keeping your jaw forward, you are less likely to have obstructed airways when you sleep. The oral appliance may be more comfortable in comparison to a CPAP, as there is no need for a claustrophobic-feeling mask. You wear your oral appliance like a nightguard, which makes it much more tolerable. There may be a short adjustment period as you get used to the CPAP device, but after a while, you should feel comfortable wearing it at night. Additionally, you can easily travel with your appliance when needed. You can no longer miss out on important events due to the inability to travel with your CPAP.
Hate traveling with CPAP?
Added Stress
Travel can be stressful, especially when you have to lug around an inconvenient CPAP machine. An oral appliance is lightweight, small, and simple to stow away in your suitcase or carry-on, making travel much easier.
Added Challenges
When you use an oral appliance instead of a CPAP, there’s no more need to find distilled or deionized water for your humidifier. You can simply wear your appliance as needed and take it out in the morning.
Added Failure
With a CPAP machine, you need reliable electricity close to your bed. It could be challenging to operate your CPAP machine efficiently in bad weather. You can use oral appliance therapy every night without the need for power.
Get Started With A Consultation
Are you ready to start treatment? Our team is here to make the process easy for you. The first step is a free consultation, where we’ll discuss your symptoms and what treatments are right for you. If we determine an oral appliance is right for you, we’ll coordinate with your insurance for coverage. We will then design your personalized oral appliance. Finally, you can sleep better and improve your health.