The Benefits of Combining CPAP Therapy with an Oral Appliance

Many people using CPAP therapy in Vero Beach find themselves stuck between a rock and a hard place. Because of their sleep apnea, they have to wear a CPAP every night, otherwise, they’ll wake up feeling like they never went to bed in the first place. However, the machine itself is so loud and uncomfortable that falling asleep is nearly impossible. What should they do? Some patients are able to switch to an oral appliance, but often, this alone isn’t enough to treat someone’s sleep apnea. Fortunately, there is now a third option called combined therapy, helping patients get the rest they need without having to struggle with their treatment.

What is Combined Therapy?

Doctors typically have 3 main options when it comes to sleep apnea treatment: CPAP therapy, oral appliance therapy, and corrective surgery. Surgery is typically only necessary if there is some type of physical blockage in the airway (like large tonsils or adenoids). Currently, the most popular solution is CPAP therapy, in which a patient literally wears a mask to bed that’s connected to an air pump. As you can imagine, trying to sleep with oxygen constantly being forced down your throat is not exactly comfortable, but it’s by far the most effective method. However, due to the discomfort brought on by the machine, research suggests that about 50% of the people prescribed to use a CPAP stop within the first year.

Enter combined therapy. Instead of justusing a CPAP or only an oral appliance, a patient actually wears both at the same time. The oral appliance fits over the teeth and slightly adjusts the jaw forward to open up the airway, and a patient wears a special CPAP mask that just fits over the nose as opposed to the full facemask. These two methods work hand in hand to deliver a more comfortable yet extremely effective treatment that is much easier for patients.

The Advantages of Combined Therapy

• Comfort: Because the oral appliance opens up the airway, a CPAP can be placed on a lower setting, reducing both the noise and sensation of air being pumped into the throat. Patients are also able to switch to a much smaller mask, helping with any feelings of claustrophobia.
• Effective: In a study conducted by the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, combined therapy was shown to be more effective than CPAP therapy alone. Subjects only using a CPAP experienced about 4 apnea events an hour (where they briefly stopped breathing), while those using combined therapy only had 2.
• Convenient: Most people rarely travel with their CPAP because it can be very difficult to pack, but for those on combined therapy, they can simply bring their oral appliance with them on the road so they can sleep soundly wherever they are going.

How to Start Combined Therapy

If you are currently using a CPAP and are tired of dealing with it, you are far from alone. To see if combined therapy would be right for you, talk to your sleep doctor. Mention the problems you have been dealing with, and if they think combined therapy would be a good option, they can recommend you to a sleep dentist who will custom-make an appliance for you.

The point of sleep apnea treatment is to make it easier for patients to rest, so if your CPAP is causing you more problems than it’s solving, be sure to speak to your sleep doctor and mention combined therapy. You’ll be glad you did.

About the Author

Dr. Kenneth Mogell is a sleep dentist and Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine who has been serving Florida for more than 30 years. At his practice, he provides specially-made sleep appliances and helps patients get sleep testing in Vero Beach. To learn more about combined therapy and see what it could do for you, he can be reached through his website for questions.