Oral Appliances for Sleep Apnea: Pros, Cons, and How They Compare to CPAP
Table of Contents
What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is when you stop breathing in your sleep. This happens when your throat muscles get too relaxed. Your airway gets blocked.
When this happens, you may:
- Snore very loud
- Feel very tired in the day
- Gasp for air in your sleep
If you do not get help, sleep apnea can make your heart sick. It can also hurt your brain.
How Do Oral Appliances Work?
Oral appliances are like mouth guards you wear at night. They help keep your airway open so you can breathe.
These devices work by moving your jaw a bit forward. This stops your airway from getting blocked.
Types of Oral Appliances:
There are two main types:
- Mandibular Advancement Devices (MADs)
- Move your jaw forward
- Can be fixed or adjustable
- Most common type
- Tongue-Retaining Devices (TRDs)
- Hold your tongue in place
- Less common than MADs
Some FDA-approved devices are ProSomnus and SomnoDent. You need to get them from a dentist.
Oral Appliances vs. CPAP Therapy
CPAP is a machine with a mask that pushes air into your airway.
Let’s see how these two ways to help sleep apnea compare:
| What We Compare | Oral Appliances | CPAP |
|---|---|---|
| How Well It Works | 58% better for mild cases | 80% better for bad cases |
| Do People Use It? | 75-83% use it all night | Only 40-60% use it all night |
| For Bad Sleep Apnea | Only helps 27% get all better | Helps 85% get all better |
| Side Effects | 35% have jaw pain | 42% don’t like the mask |
As you can see, CPAP works better for bad sleep apnea. But more people use oral appliances all night.
Who Should Use Oral Appliances?
Oral appliances are best for:
- People with mild or medium sleep apnea
- People who cannot use CPAP
- People who travel a lot
They are not good for:
- People with very bad sleep apnea
- People with jaw pain
- People with bad teeth
You need to see a sleep dentist to get an oral appliance that fits right. A custom sleep apnea mouth guard works much better than ones you buy in stores.
How to Get an Oral Appliance
Here are the steps to get an oral appliance:
- Get a sleep study to find out if you have sleep apnea
- Get a note from a sleep doctor
- See a dental sleep expert for a custom fit
How Much Does It Cost?
An oral appliance costs about $1,800–$2,500.
Insurance may pay for some or all of it. About 78% of people get some help from insurance to pay for their oral appliance.
Expert Tips for Success
To make your oral appliance work best:
- Start with a small jaw move, then make it bigger bit by bit
- Clean it each day
- See your dentist often
Many people say:
- They snore much less
- They feel more awake in the day
- Their bed partner sleeps better too
For best results, pick a dental lab with sleep expertise that can make a high-quality device.
Case Studies: Real People, Real Results
Case 1: Mild Sleep Apnea
A 45-year-old man with mild sleep apnea (AHI=18) used a MAD for 6 months. His sleep apnea got much better (AHI=4) and he snored 90% less.
Case 2: Could Not Use CPAP
A 52-year-old woman with bad sleep apnea (AHI=34) could not use CPAP. She tried MAD and got somewhat better (AHI=14).
Case 3: Truck Driver
A truck driver used MAD and felt much more awake during the day. His work got better.
FAQs
Are oral appliances as good as CPAP?
No. They work well for mild cases but not as well for bad cases. CPAP works better for severe sleep apnea.
Can I buy an oral appliance online?
You should not buy one online. Ones you get without a dentist don’t fit right and can hurt your jaw or teeth. A custom hard night guard from a dentist is much safer.
How long do they last?
With good care, they last 3–5 years. You should clean it each day.
Can I use my dental insurance?
Yes, most dental insurance plans help pay for oral appliances. Ask your dentist’s office to check your plan.
Do I need to see a special dentist?
Yes. See a dentist who knows about dental sleep medicine. They work with AADSM (American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine).
Patient Satisfaction & Adherence
In a big study, 278 people used oral appliances. Of these:
- 65% got much better
- 78% liked their oral appliance better than CPAP
- Most people used it all night, every night
This shows most people find oral appliances easy to use and helpful.
Key Takeaways
- Oral appliances are good for mild to medium sleep apnea.
- They work by moving your jaw forward to keep your airway open.
- More people use oral appliances all night than CPAP.
- You need to get them from a sleep dentist, not a store.
- They cost about $1,800–$2,500 and insurance often helps pay.
