Posted on Sunday, June 22nd, 2025 at 9:00 am
People diagnosed with sleep apnea now have several treatment options to choose from, including oral appliances and CPAP machines. However, some of these options can be cumbersome and uncomfortable. Oral appliance therapy is also emerging as a viable sleep apnea treatment that can help reposition the jaw or tongue to prevent airway collapse during sleep.
Every treatment option has benefits and drawbacks. Understanding the pros and cons of your sleep apnea treatment options can help you choose which method is right for you and give you the chance to finally get a good night’s sleep.
How CPAP Works as a Sleep Apnea Treatment
For years, the continuous positive airway pressure machine has been an option for sleep apnea sufferers because it helps keep an individual’s airway open during sleep and provides a person with a continuous supply of oxygen throughout the night. A person wears a mask that fits over their nose, mouth, or both. A tube connects the mask to a machine whose motor blows air into the tube all night, opening the airway and providing constant oxygen flow.
How Oral Appliance Therapy Works as a Sleep Apnea Treatment
Oral appliance therapy offers an alternative to CPAP by using a custom-fitted dental device worn at night. This device gently repositions the lower jaw or tongue to maintain an open airway, helping to prevent obstruction.
Oral appliances are quiet, portable, and easier to use and maintain than CPAP machines, making them a popular choice for patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea.
How to Choose Between CPAP and Oral Appliance Therapy
Choosing between CPAP and oral appliance therapy can be challenging because each therapy has benefits and drawbacks. Exploring those pros and cons can help you make a more informed decision about your sleep apnea treatment.
CPAP Machines
The most significant drawback of CPAP machines is their inconvenience. These large and bulky devices can be uncomfortable for some people, and wearing a CPAP mask can make them feel uncomfortable or claustrophobic. Others also point to the noise the CPAP machine motor makes as a distraction that prevents them from falling asleep. These drawbacks can prevent a person from regularly using their CPAP machine, which is a major con because compliance is key when treating sleep apnea.
Other drawbacks of the CPAP machine include difficulty transporting it when a person travels and issues with properly cleaning it. However, for long-time sleep apnea sufferers, consistent CPAP use can improve the quality of a person’s sleep, improve lung function since the machine delivers a constant oxygen flow, and reduce a person’s risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Oral Appliance Therapy
Oral appliance therapy can address the root cause of obstructive sleep apnea by helping to keep the airway open during sleep. Many people find that with an oral appliance, they snore less, suffer less daytime fatigue, and may be able to discontinue using a CPAP machine altogether.
While oral appliances can be highly effective, they may not be suitable for every case, especially in severe sleep apnea. A proper evaluation by a sleep specialist or dentist trained in dental sleep medicine is necessary to determine if an oral appliance is the right option.
A Sleep Professional Can Help You Find the Right Option for You
Choosing the right sleep apnea treatment option can be challenging. That’s why our professional dream team at Silent Night Therapy is here to help. We can help diagnose your sleep condition and offer treatment options that meet your needs and address your most pressing concerns.
Contact us online or call our office at (631) 983-2463 to schedule a complimentary sleep consultation.