Custom Sleep Apnea Mouth Guard VS CPAP Machines

Sleep disorders such as sleep apnea is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. If you or someone you know has sleep apnea, you’ve likely heard about the two main treatment options: CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machines and sleep apnea mouth guards.

While both are effective, they work in different ways and have unique benefits. This article will break down the differences between these two treatments, helping you understand the options for sleep apnea.

What is sleep apnea?

Before we dive into the comparison, let’s quickly go over what sleep apnea is. There three main types of sleep apnea, with the most common one being Obstructive Sleep Apnea, or OSA for short. OSA occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat fail to keep the upper airway open, leading to sleep disturbances and pauses in breathing during sleep.

As a result, people with sleep apnea often experience loud snoring and wake up frequently during the night, sometimes without even realising it. Left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to serious health issues like high blood pressure, heart disease and daytime sleepiness.

Click here to read more about sleep apnea and how it affects your health.

What are sleep apnea mouth guards?

Custom fit sleep apnea mouthguards are a form of oral appliance therapy specifically designed to alleviate sleep apnea symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). These are intended to keep the airway open during sleep, thereby reducing airway obstruction and improving airflow and is seen as part of the sleep apnea treatments.

What are the types of sleep apnea mouth guards?

Oral devices or mouth guard for sleep apnea patients come in various types, each with a distinct function or design catering to the specific needs of the patient. Two primary categories are:

1) Mandibular Advancement Devices (MAD devices)

This is a treatment for sleep apnea and is also known as mandibular repositioning devices. They advance the lower jaw slightly forward, helping to maintain an open upper airway during sleep. They are the more common type of oral appliance therapy for OSA.

2) Tongue-Retaining Devices

Less commonly used, these tongue-retaining devices are small oral devices that hold the tongue in place to keep it from blocking the airway.

Read more about these two types of dental appliances here.

What are the pros of custom sleep apnea mouth guards?

Customised and comfortable

Since sleep apnea mouthguards are specifically customised for your mouth, they tend to be comfortable. Moreover, oral appliances for sleep apnea these days are fabricated using digital impressions and modern dental technology such as 3D printing, allowing for an accurate fit. This in turn, has led to higher compliance rates in comparison to other treatment options like CPAP machines.

Quiet

Unlike CPAP machines, mouthguard for sleep apnea is silent. This is a big plus for people who are easily disturbed by noise.

Portable

Sleep apnea mouthguards are small and easy to carry, making them convenient for travel. There’s no need to worry about packing a machine or dealing with power cords.

What are the cons of custom sleep apnea mouth guards?

Less effective for severe cases

Sleep apnea mouthguards are more effective for people with mild to moderate sleep apnea. For people with severe sleep apnea, CPAP machines is a better option.

Not effective for other type of sleep apnea

These types of mouth guards is suitable for obstructive sleep apnea but not for patients with another type of sleep apnea, which is known as central sleep apnea (CSA). This form of sleep apnea occurs when the brain fails to signal the muscles to breathe, rather than an obstruction in the upper airway. Thus, mandibular advancement devices that target physical blockage of the airway may have minimal to no effect on central sleep apnea symptoms.

Adjustment Period

It can take a little while to adjust to wearing sleep apnea mouthguards at night. Some may experience jaw discomfort, soreness and excessive salivation at first.

Regular Maintenance

The dental appliance needs to be cleaned regularly to keep it in good condition and over time, it may need to be adjusted or replaced by your dentist.

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What is a CPAP machine?

CPAP, or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, is a machine that delivers a steady stream of air through a mask to keep your airways open while you sleep. The air pressure from the machine prevents the throat muscles from collapsing, allowing you to breathe normally throughout the night.

What are the pros of CPAP machines?

Effective

CPAP machines effectively keep airways open and help prevent the interruptions in breathing that cause sleep apnea. It has shown high effectiveness for maintaining the patency of the upper airway, even for severe OSA.

Improvement in quality of life

Patients with severe OSA often report profound improvements in their quality of life. This includes a decrease in the risk of associated conditions like heart disease and stroke. Using a CPAP machine has also been shown to stabilise blood oxygen levels throughout the night, preventing the dangerous dips associated with obstructive events.

Adjustable Settings with data tracking

Many CPAP machines have adjustable settings, allowing for customised treatment based on individual needs. Many devices also come with advanced features that track sleep patterns, providing valuable feedback for healthcare provider to fine-tune treatment plans.

Immediate Relief

Many people notice an immediate improvement in their sleep quality when using a CPAP machine.

What are the cons of CPAP machines?

Discomfort

Some sleep apnea patients find the mask uncomfortable or have trouble adjusting to wearing it throughout the night. It can also feel claustrophobic.

Noise

Even though modern CPAP machines are quieter, they still produce some noise, which may disturb light sleepers.

Portability Issues

Traveling with a CPAP machine can be cumbersome, especially when dealing with airport security or finding space in luggage.

Compliance and adherence challenges

Challenges arising from the inconvenience of using the machine nightly, as well as the physical and psychological barriers might create difficulty in maintaining a consistent sleep routine.

Regular maintenance

The necessity to clean and maintain the machine and its components can be seen as cumbersome.

What are the differences between sleep apnea mouth guard vs CPAP machines?

Which option is right for you?

Both CPAP machines and mouthguard for sleep apnea have been shown to effectively treat sleep apnea condition but which one is right for you depends on several factors.

1. Severity of Sleep Apnea: Appliances for sleep apnea are generally more suited for mild to moderate OSA, while CPAP is the standard treatment for severe cases.
2. Anatomical Considerations: Factors such as jaw structure, tongue size and tonsil size can affect the success of an oral appliance.
3. Comfort and Convenience: Some patients find a mouth guard less intrusive and more comfortable than wearing a CPAP mask.
4. Lifestyle: If patients travel often or have a lifestyle that makes regular electricity use challenging, a mouth guard might be more practical.
5. Compliance: Adherence to treatment is crucial. The best treatment is one that the patient will consistently use.
6. Side Effects: CPAP may cause discomfort, nasal congestion or dry mouth in some patients, while oral appliances may result in jaw discomfort or changes in bite over time.
7. Cost and Insurance: Coverage for treatment can vary and cost may be a determining factor for some patients.

The role of digitally crafted mouth guards

Thanks to advancements in technology, custom sleep apnea mouth guards have become more precise and effective. Therefore, the likelihood of this type of device causing discomfort or shifting during the night is reduced.

At Dental Designs, our custom sleep apnea mouth guards (DuraSleep) are digitally fabricated using medical-grade nylon and 3D printing technology. This durable material can be made as thin as 0.5mm without sacrificing strength, ensuring that our appliances are both comfortable and effective.

Discover about how dental devices can help you manage sleep apnea and improve your oral health.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the choice between a CPAP machine and a mouth guard comes down to personal preference, the severity of your condition and what you find most comfortable for your dental health. A sleep study is typically required to determine the severity of OSA and whether an oral appliance therapy would be an appropriate treatment option. The key is to work closely with your sleep physician/sleep specialist and dentist to determine which treatment will best address your sleep apnea and fit your lifestyle.

Ready to book an dental consultation regarding your obstructive sleep apnea condition? Simply leave us a message here and we will be right with you!

References

1. Robyn Woidtke, M. S. N., & CCSH, R. The Evolution And Revolution Of Digitally Crafted Oral Appliance Therapy: A 2022 Update For Sleep Health Professionals.
2. Dieltjens M, Vanderveken O. Oral Appliances in Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Healthcare (Basel). 2019 Nov 8;7(4):141. doi: 10.3390/healthcare7040141. PMID: 31717429; PMCID: PMC6956298.