Can’t tolerate CPAP? Northeast Ohio apnea patients have alternatives!

CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) is the most commonly prescribed treatment for OSA (obstructive sleep apnea). It is also the nemesis of countless apnea patients. Thankfully, it is not the only option. Willoughby Hills, OH patients turn to experienced sleep dentist Dr. Stern for effective alternatives to CPAP.

What’s the problem with CPAP?

In effectiveness, CPAP rates highly, in patient satisfaction, the opposite is true. In fact, many studies have found that well over half of all patients stop using CPAP, or don’t use it regularly. Some of the most common reasons cited include:

The mask is uncomfortable, even with nasal pillows
The machine is noisy, and it is cumbersome when traveling
Forced air is uncomfortable or intolerable
Some people are allergic to the masks
Difficulty sleeping while using CPAP – average nightly use averages around 4 ½ hours
Nasal congestion, allergies, and similar symptoms

Exploring your options

Not everyone experiences the above problems with CPAP. However, if you are among those who can’t tolerate CPAP or APAP (Auto Positive Airway Pressure), you are probably looking at several alternatives. It is important to be careful when choosing.

Over the counter products such as Provent therapy, Provent nasal strips, or a chin strap for sleep apnea might be tempting, but they are suboptimal for many reasons. First, of all, when considering any medical or dental device, a mass-produced product is rarely the best choice. Everybody is different, quite literally, and a proper fit requires customization. “One size fits all” usually means that it fits no one perfectly.

For a safe, reliable alternative to CPAP that is customized to your needs, Dr. Stern recommends oral appliance therapy. This treatment involves only a small, discreet, appliance, which is somewhat similar to a mouthguard. It is worn nightly to support the jaw, preventing it from moving back during sleep. This helps hold the airway open, so that you can breathe easily, naturally, and without a machine.

Who is a good candidate for an oral/dental device?

If you want to improve your quality of sleep and quality of life, oral appliance therapy may be right for you. The best candidates are typically people who:

If you think a sleep apnea or snoring appliance may be right for you, come see Dr. Stern for a free consultation at Snoring & CPAP Solutions LLC in Willoughby Hills

Dr. Stern always offers every option, making recommendations in layman’s terms, and does so with an emphasis on the long-term benefits to my overall health. And, he does all this with warmth, humor, intelligence, and, in my case, an at-hand array of records and x-rays that gives him the total history of the work done on every tooth.

~Mark A.