Comparing Oral Sleep Appliances and Cpap Therapy
When a person suffers from sleep apnea, he or she is often prescribed a variety of sleep apnea treatments near Renton, WA. One of these treatments is known as continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, which uses a machine that aids sleep, apnea sufferers. While this has long been the standard in treatment, dentists are now promoting another type of sleep apnea treatment in the form of custom-made oral sleep appliances. Continue reading for a comparison of oral sleep appliances to CPAP therapy.
Quieter Sleep
Sleep apnea can affect more than just the patient suffering from it; it can affect the person’s sleeping partner and other people the patient interacts with throughout the day. A CPAP machine forces air into the patient’s airways with the aid of a motor. This motor may be loud, especially in a quiet room. The patient suffering from sleep apnea and their sleeping partner may have difficulty sleeping with a CPAP machine. With an oral sleep appliance, though, there is no noise to keep anyone awake throughout the night.
Easier Travel
Custom-made sleep apnea treatment appliances will fit snugly into small, plastic containers. This storage option makes for easier traveling while suffering from sleep apnea. These custom appliances also do not require any sort of battery or energy source like CPAP machines. CPAP devices require much more storage capacity to account for the machine, the mask, and the attached hoses. In addition to needing more storage, CPAP machines need access to an outlet to run. This may make traveling difficult and stressful.
More Comfortable Sleep
Many patients do not like the restrictive sleep that comes with the use of a CPAP device. Patients usually must sleep on their backs to allow CPAP therapy to work efficiently. With an oral sleep appliance, patients are able to move into any sleeping position they prefer. The appliance will not be hindered or come out during the night. Patients also report that oral sleep appliances are much more comfortable to wear instead of a CPAP mask.