Have you been recently diagnosed with sleep apnea or snoring, and wonder what is next? Or are you looking for a different treatment?
Whether you've had one for years, or you are anxious about getting one, CPAP machines are the industry standard. But that doesn't mean it is the best for you.
Sleep Better Indy in Indianapolis, IN, offers oral appliance therapy as an alternative to CPAP devices. This involves having a custom mouthpiece to allow air to flow easier.
Common Complaints About CPAP Technology
While CPAP machines are the industry gold standard for treating sleep apnea, they not be right for you. Some reasons people don't like CPAP include:
Unappealing Look
CPAP devices aren't known to be flattering. Nobody likes being hooked up to a machine, and you shouldn't have to rely on it to sleep.
Hard to Travel
Vacations are meant for you to unwind and recharge. But bringing a bulky CPAP machine adds additional stressors to what should be a relaxing trip.
Disturbs Sleep
It's meant to help you sleep. But you might actually have less quality sleep even though you're breathing properly. Your partner may also be affected and not have a quality sleep, either.
How Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) is Different From CPAP
CPAP and oral appliance therapies are vastly different in terms of approach.
CPAP utilizes a mask over the face, effectively forcing air into the patient's airway to keep it open during sleep; this can be uncomfortable or even cause feelings of claustrophobia for some patients.
Oral Appliances can be customized to help you breathe with ease by preventing the airway from being obstructed.
Similar to a nightguard, these appliances are custom fit to your mouth and gently position your lower jaw in a forward position that will comfortably open your airway and allow a better night’s sleep.
Don’t worry – we’ll do a full airway assessment in order to determine what is the best solution for your particular needs.
Additional Benefits to Oral Appliance Therapy for Sleep Apnea
- No noise from machines or in-mask breathing
- Easy to clean and use
- Small and portable
- No electricity is needed
- Reduce or prevent (grinding)
- No hoses to get tangled in during sleep
- No mask to cause skin irritations
- No feelings of claustrophobia
"Oral Appliances Sound Good, But Do They Actually Work?"
Oral appliances are proven to be successful. A 2022 study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine highlights some of these benefits.
In summary, oral devices can be 94% effective when treating mild to moderate sleep apnea.
Oral devices also
reduced snore loudness
increased sleep quality
improved patient energy levels
Another study found that oral device users were more consistent than those who used CPAP machines.
Some of our Oral Treatment Devices Include
