CPAP Alternatives: How Oral Appliance Therapy Compares

CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) is the most common first-line treatment physicians prescribe for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and it works well for many patients. But CPAP is not the only option, and some patients find the mask, hose, or air pressure difficult to tolerate long-term. For those patients, a physician may consider other approaches – including custom oral appliance therapy – as part of an ongoing treatment plan.

Important: this article does not suggest oral appliance therapy is equivalent to or better than CPAP. Both are treatment options evaluated individually by your physician and dental provider. Only a physician can diagnose OSA and determine which treatment approach is appropriate for you.

Why Some Patients Look for an Alternative

CPAP therapy requires wearing a mask connected to a machine every night, and some patients report difficulty adjusting to the mask, noise, or air pressure. When CPAP tolerance is a genuine barrier to consistent use, physicians and dental providers may discuss other options with the patient.

Where Oral Appliance Therapy Fits

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) have jointly published clinical practice guidance recognizing custom oral appliance therapy as an appropriate option for certain patients with mild to moderate OSA, including patients who prefer it to CPAP or who do not tolerate CPAP well. These FDA-cleared devices are custom-fitted by a dentist and work by gently repositioning the lower jaw to help keep the airway open during sleep.

Dr. Alfred Marquez, DDS at Marquez Integrative Dental Care in El Paso, TX evaluates candidacy for oral appliance therapy on a case-by-case basis, always in coordination with the patient’s physician and only after a physician has established an OSA diagnosis. Not every patient is a candidate, and results vary by patient.

The Decision Is Individual

Whether CPAP, an oral appliance, or another approach is right for you depends on the severity of your OSA, your anatomy, and your own experience with treatment – decisions best made together with your physician and dental provider. If you have a physician-confirmed OSA diagnosis and CPAP has been difficult to tolerate, that is a conversation worth having with your physician, and we are glad to discuss the dental side of your options.

Call our El Paso office at (915) 779-6403 to learn more.

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