Are you among the 22 million Americans suffering from a poor night’s rest due to sleep apnea? If so, you need an effective form of treatment to restore your sleep quality while protecting your overall health. While in the past, a CPAP machine was the only option, now you can choose an alternative approach with an oral appliance. However, which one is right for you? There are key differences between the two, but both offer an effective solution to help you breathe easy at night.
CPAP vs. Oral Appliance
A CPAP is a machine that delivers a steady stream of air through a mask that is worn at night to keep the airways open. Although it is effective, the compliance rate is low, causing the condition to remain untreated.
As an alternative to traditional treatments, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine now recommends oral appliances. These are custom-fit devices that are like a mouthguard; however, instead of protecting the teeth, they reposition the jaw forward to keep the airways from collapsing.
While both are effective for treating mild to moderate sleep apnea, they may not be right for everyone based on several factors, such as your personal comfort level, insurance coverage, or individual needs.
Convenience and Comfort
Many tend to prefer an oral appliance over a CPAP because they are easy to travel with due to their small and sleek design. While the machines have now been made smaller, they can still be bulky and difficult to take along with you while you because they require electricity to use.
In addition, many tend to find the appliances more comfortable and less restrictive. In fact, 91% of patients report to prefer the comfort of an oral appliance over a CPAP machine. Not to mention, you can still talk and drink with the device, which is not possible when wearing the machine.
Many also find it easier to sleep with the oral appliance because it does not make noise like that of the machine. However, for those with more severe cases of sleep apnea, the device may not be enough. You may need a CPAP machine or a combination of both therapies to keep the airways open.
Affordability
If cost is a concern, most insurances will cover both a CPAP and an oral appliance as long as you have gone through the correct diagnosis and treatment process.
Sleep Soundly with the Right Treatment
If you are losing sleep at night from untreated sleep apnea, it is time to contact a specialist in your area to learn more about your treatment options.
About Sleep Rehab
At Sleep Rehab, we offer comprehensive treatment options for obstructive sleep apnea. Using a non-surgical approach, we can help protect your overall health and quality of life by keeping the air passages open. If you have recently been diagnosed with the sleep disorder and need an effective treatment solution, please contact us today to discuss your options. We will help you sleep soundly while breathing easier.