5 CPAP Alternatives: From Dental Devices to Surgery

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is a highly effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, a significant number of sleep apnea sufferers have difficulty using the device or are not able to use the device consistently despite their best efforts. Some complain that they don't like some of the therapy's side-effects, which can include dry mouth, headaches, sinus issues, and insomnia. Others say that they take the device off in their sleep – or that they simply don't like putting it on each night. For the large number of OSA sufferers who are not compliant with their prescribed CPAP therapy, there are a number of alternatives available, although they vary widely in effectiveness and they come with entirely new sets of advantages and disadvantages. Let's take a closer look at five common CPAP alternatives.

Positional Therapy

Many sleep apnea sufferers have minimal symptoms when they sleep on their side or stomach. To minimize snoring and keep the airway open, positional therapy teaches those with OSA to avoid sleeping on their back. Several devices have been created to aide in positional therapy: one belt-like device prevents you from rolling on to your back, while another device, which you wear on your neck, vibrates when you sleep on your back. Positional therapy is a good choice for those who only have mild or moderate sleep apnea and for those whose symptoms improve when not sleeping on their back. It may not be a good choice for those who have severe sleep apnea or those who do not like wearing devices to bed every night.

Lifestyle Changes

In some cases, sleep apnea can be significantly improved through lifestyle changes. Specifically, studies have found that losing weight, exercising, and eating right can help OSA sufferers. In addition, stopping drinking and smoking can also improve symptoms. However, it is important to understand that lifestyle changes do not cure sleep apnea in most patients, especially those with severe symptoms. In addition, the benefits gain by these changes will be lost if a patient is not able to keep off the weight or continue regular exercise on a long-term basis.

Oral Appliances/Dental Devices

For patients with mild or moderate sleep apnea, mandibular advancement devices (MADs) and tongue retaining mouthpieces are one of the most inexpensive CPAP alternatives. These oral appliances open the airway more fully at night and help users breath during sleep. Studies have shown that the devices have between a 50 percent and 80 percent effectiveness rate and that they work best in patients with short necks and low BMIs. This may be a good option for patients who have issues with CPAP therapy but do not mind using a nightly appliance for the foreseeable future.

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)

Patients with severe sleep apnea or patients who do not wish to use a device at night may consider sleep apnea surgery among their sleep apnea alternatives. A Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) removes some of the soft palate of the mouth, the uvula, and some surrounding tissue. Once the most common type of OSA surgery, the UPPP procedure is not extremely effective in many patients and may only be a good option for those with large airway blockages in the mouth.

Bimaxillary Advancement Surgery

Also known as Maxillomandibular Advancement (MMA) surgery, bimaxillary advancement surgery increases the size of the airway by moving both the upper and lower jaw forward. At Surgical Sleep Solutions, this OSA surgery has a 95 to 99 percent effectiveness rate and often completely eliminates the need for CPAP therapy. To learn more about this sleep apnea surgery and other CPAP alternatives, as well as to find out if you are an idea candidate, please call us today at (855) 560-7378.