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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
Unlike CPAP machines, mouthguard for sleep apnea is silent. This is a big plus for people who are easily disturbed by noise.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Many people notice an immediate improvement in their sleep quality when using a CPAP machine.
Some sleep apnea patients find the mask uncomfortable or have trouble adjusting to wearing it throughout the night. It can also feel claustrophobic.
Even though modern CPAP machines are quieter, they still produce some noise, which may disturb light sleepers.
Traveling with a CPAP machine can be cumbersome, especially when dealing with airport security or finding space in luggage.
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.
The necessity to clean and maintain the machine and its components can be seen as cumbersome.
|
|
Sleep Apnea Mouth Guard | CPAP Machine |
|---|---|---|
|
Function |
Repositions the jaw and tongue to keep the airway open |
Provides continuous airflow to keep the airway open |
|
Best Suited For |
Mild to moderate sleep apnea |
Moderate to severe sleep apnea |
|
Comfort |
Generally more comfortable and less intrusive |
Some users find the mask uncomfortable or restrictive |
|
Noise Level |
Silent |
May produce noise, though newer models are quieter |
|
Portability |
Compact and easy to carry, ideal for travel |
Bulky, requires space for machine and accessories, and needs power source |
|
Cost |
Typically less expensive than CPAP machines |
Higher upfront cost for machine and accessories |
|
Maintenance |
Requires regular cleaning, occasional adjustments |
Requires regular cleaning, replacing filters and maintenance of machine |
|
User Compliance |
Higher compliance rates |
Lower compliance rates |
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.
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.
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!