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Three Undeniable Benefits of Sleep Apnea Oral Appliances over Other Forms of Treatment

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You typically have three treatment options if you suffer from obstructive sleep apnea. The treatment options include:

  • Surgery
  • Using a CPAP Machine
  • Using a sleep apnea oral appliance

Though all three are ideal treatments for sleep apnea, patients have often debated which is the best treatment based on their experiences. In most cases, patients would prefer to have surgery done because it is a more permanent treatment instead of using a CPAP machine or an oral appliance for an extended period.

However, surgery tends to be quite expensive, and as a result, not many people can afford it. On the other hand, a CPAP machine tends to create discomfort for some patients, and as a result, they usually end up switching to sleep apnea oral appliances instead. Hence, a sleep apnea oral appliance is your best bet for affordable and comfortable treatment in most cases.

With that said, here are three reasons you should opt for sleep apnea oral appliances instead of surgery or a CPAP machine.

It's More Affordable than Surgery 

On average, surgical procedures for obstructive sleep apnea rectification cost between $6,400 and $10,000, depending on where you get the surgery done. In comparison, a sleep apnea oral appliance will cost significantly less, ranging between $100 and $1,200.  

Therefore, you need to dig deep into your pockets if you opt for surgery, especially if your health insurance policy doesn't cover the surgery. Additionally, you have to consider that for you to undergo surgery, you have to set aside some time for the healing process to occur, which means you will not be able to work until you heal. Thus, you may miss out on earning while you heal.

On the other hand, sleep apnea oral devices are pretty affordable to the point you can pay for them out of pocket. Hence, if your finances or health insurance policy do not enable you to undergo the surgical procedure, sleep apnea oral devices are your next best option.

Convenience 

When choosing a treatment option for obstructive sleep apnea, it is advisable to consider how suitable the treatment will be for you.

For instance, if you opt for a CPAP machine, it is essential to note that it is a rather chunky piece of equipment to carry around. For example, a CPAP machine will take up a significant amount of luggage space if you travel a lot for business or pleasure. Thus, you may have to carry an extra small suitcase just to fit the machine.

As for surgical treatment, it is an invasive form of treatment. And as mentioned earlier, you will have to postpone some of your activities for you to go for the surgery and heal completely. Hence, if you have a busy lifestyle, a surgical procedure can inconvenience you.

However, when you opt for a sleep apnea oral device, you do not have to worry about any of the above inconveniences. For one, the oral appliances are small enough to fit in your pocket. Therefore, if you travel a lot, a sleep apnea appliance will not inconvenience you in any way when packing your luggage because it can comfortably fit in your pocket or purse with ease.  

Secondly, sleep apnea oral devices are not as intrusive as surgery. Therefore, in no way does a sleep apnea oral appliance affect your day-to-day activities.  

Comfort

As mentioned earlier, CPAP machines tend to make patients feel uncomfortable to the point they can't sleep while wearing the headgear. For most patients, the discomfort arises from the fact that it is difficult to turn in your sleep while wearing the headgear. For instance, it is impossible to sleep on your belly while wearing the headgear.  

However, asleep apnea oral appliances provide much better comfort while sleeping than a CPAP machine. Because the oral devices fit in your mouth like a mouth guard, it is pretty easy to sleep in any position you desire. Furthermore, unlike with a CPAP machine, once you get used to the sensation of having an oral appliance in your mouth, you will be able to sleep comfortably without any disruption to your sleep during the night.


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