CPAP Alternative
If you’ve struggled with using a CPAP mask to eliminate your sleep apnea symptoms, you’re not alone. Research shows that more than a third of patients fail to use their CPAP masks as directed.
These patients often complain that the CPAP mask is uncomfortable, among other barriers to proper, consistent use.
Fortunately, the obstruction that causes sleep apnea can be treated with a more comfortable and convenient option: oral appliance therapy.
Our specialists can evaluate your case and determine whether oral appliance therapy might be effective for you.
Sleep Apnea: Causes And Treatments
Sleep apnea occurs when the soft tissues at the back of the throat collapse and block the airway opening. This causes the patient to stop breathing briefly until the brain is alerted to the apnea and rouses the patient to restore normal breathing.
In order to prevent sleep apnea and the numerous health consequences associated with it, effective treatment must keep the airway open throughout sleep. CPAP achieves this goal by having patients wear a mask that forces air into the airway in order to maintain it throughout sleep.
Oral Appliance Therapy: A More Comfortable Alternative
Fortunately, if you’ve found that the CPAP mask isn’t a good fit for your lifestyle, we can provide an alternative way to treat your sleep apnea. Oral appliance therapy uses a device that fits entirely inside of your mouth to hold the jaw or tongue forward to eliminate the airway obstruction.
Oral appliance therapy overcomes many barriers to CPAP adherence. The oral appliance is custom – designed to match your mouth’s unique structure, for maximum comfort. It can easily be transported anywhere, and patients are unlikely to experience anxiety while wearing it.
Would you like to learn more about oral appliance therapy and whether it might be effective in your case? Schedule a consultation at our office
Why Many Patients Fail To Comply With CPAP Treatment
Patients may fail to use their CPAP masks as directed for a number of reasons, such as:
- Discomfort: The CPAP mask can be cumbersome and disrupt the patient’s sleep to a degree itself. Patients who wear a CPAP mask may also complain of dry nasal passages or dry mouth after wearing the mask.
- Inconvenience: Traveling with a CPAP mask is quite a production. You need to make sure that you have all of the components in your luggage so that the machine will work properly. It can even be logistically challenging to use your CPAP at home depending on the layout of your bedroom and its electrical outlets.
- Anxiety: Patients may feel claustrophobic while wearing the CPAP mask. In some cases, the feeling of wearing the mask can induce an anxiety attack.