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Use of Oral Appliances and CPAP Approaches in Treating Sleep Apnea



Sleep apnea is a chronic snoring complication. The use of a CPAP machine and oral appliances are the two main methods of treatment. Your doctor can aid in determining the best procedure to undertake.

An airway blockage causes obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It can undergo treatment by use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), or mandibular advancement splints (MAS) oral appliance.

Oral Appliances vs CPAP

Sleep Apnea Treatment Options

A CPAP machine is used to treat snoring and sleep apnea problems. If the condition is severe, a surgical operation may be done, based on recommendations, due to failure in conservative treatment. CPAP and oral appliance are mainly prescribed therapies.

CPAP therapy uses a machine, which delivers a stream of air into your throat. It prevents your airway from bursting as you sleep.

Oral Appliance Therapy for Sleep Apnea

The procedure involves the use of customized oral devices for sleep apnea treatment. It stabilizes your jaw and positions the tongue forward, keeping your airway open. Mild OSA sufferers prefer oral appliance therapy since it's non-invasive and convenient for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. If you are non-responsive to CPAP treatment, an oral appliance is a better option for you.

Advantages of CPAP Treatment  
  • Apparatus used can be customized for your treatment
  • It's a non-invasive sleep apnea treatment approach
  • It's an efficient method for the treatment of snoring and sleep apnea conditions

Disadvantages of CPAP
  • The air pressure mask may be uncomfortable
  • You may experience sore throat or dry nose
  • It can irritate your skin around the mask
  • Unlike oral appliances, it's not portable
  • Noisy operating machines may disrupt your partner's sleep

Merits of using Oral Appliance Therapy
  • It's easy to clean
  • It doesn't make noise unlike for CPAP
  • It's Non-surgical sleep apnea and snoring method
  • It's easier to comply than CPAP therapy
  • The customized device is easy to adjust, and it's comfortable
  •  It's portable since it doesn't involve clunky equipment

Demerits of using Oral Appliance Therapy
  • It may cause soreness in your teeth, jaw or gums on initial stages of using the device
  • Some patients experience excessive salivation

If you need treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, you can undertake the above-described therapies. At LifeGuard Sleep Solutions, we have doctors who diagnose and treat you for sleep apnea using different tools.

We check on your symptoms and identify the cause of your sleep apnea. We offer alternative therapies if you are having issues with CPAP treatment. Our objective is to utilize virtual technology and new advances in sleep apnea treatment and diagnosis to handle your condition.

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