Objectively measured health outcomes in oral appliances vs. CPAP

When considering objective (i.e., measurable) health outcomes, Oral appliances and CPAP have similar outcomes.

References: 1. (Gotsopoulos et al.,2002), (Engleman et al., 2002), (Barnes et al., 2004), (Gagnadoux et al,, 2009), 2. (Naismith et al., 2005), 3. (Hoekema et al., 2007), 4. (Gotsopoulos, Kelly and Cistulli, 2004), (Barnes et al., 2004), 5. (Philips et al., 2013), 6. (Itzhaki et al, 2007), 7. (Marin et al., 2005), 8. (Anandam et al., 2013)

Sleep & cardiology effects

  • In a 2013 study following 667 patients for 96 months (or 6.5 years), Anandam and colleagues found no difference in cardiovascular mortality between patients using CPAP and oral appliances.
  • This was despite the residual AHI being higher in the patients with oral appliances than CPAP (16 ± 5.1 vs. 4.5 ± 2.3).
  • This was offset by greater use of the oral appliance per night – CPAP use for 5.8 ± 1.6 hours vs oral appliance use for 6.5 ± 1.2 hours.
  • Not treating OSA increased the risk of cardiovascular mortality by 6.5 times.

CPAP and Oral appliances in blood pressure control.

  • A network meta-analysis published by Bratton and colleagues in 2015 did not show a difference between CPAP and oral appliances in blood pressure outcomes.

  • There was no difference in either systolic or diastolic pressure (data not shown)
References: 1. (Schmidt-Nowara et al.,1995) 2. (Engleman et al.,2004), (Naismith et al., 2005), 3. (Gagnadoux et al., 2009)

Functional measured outcomes – oral appliances vs. CPAP

  • In measures that are important to patients and their partners, CPAP performs better in controlling snoring (by promoting nasal breathing), but oral appliance therapy performs better on quality-of-life measures (as patients generally don’t like wearing CPAP masks).
  • “Oral appliance therapy was very effective at reducing AHI and was associated with a higher reported compliance that that observed on CPAP. Both treatments improved functional outcomes in a similar way” Gagnandoux et al., 2009.

See what SomnoMed® patients have to say

Every patient is different and we have helped individual patients on their journey in finding a solution.

Find out what they went through and how it feels to wear a SomnoDent® oral appliance.

Patient stories

Derek’s story

“Before I found my sleep dentist I was sleeping with my CPAP device. This posed several problems for me. Most are the obvious: wearing the CPAP mask, trying to sleep with a hose attached to your face, having to travel with it, and then my allergy issues became more severe.

Maintenance is a pain as well. My SomnoDent® device has allowed me to enjoy life a bit more without the hassle of a CPAP. And, there is the added benefit of not having to make sure I have a source of power available. Which means, I can go camping again! I would recommend the SomnoDent® device to anyone with obstructive sleep apnea. It is life changing.”

- Derek

Izy’s story

For years I fought with my CPAP, I literally tried 15 masks and I will never ever go back to CPAP after discovering SomnoDent®. I love it and so does my family because they can finally sleep in peace.

I can carry it, no more lugging around that extra CPAP baggage, I just throw my SomnoDent® device and case in my backpack and keep going. I truly am a big fan and if I can encourage others to switch to SomnoMed®, I know for a fact their quality of life would improve tremendously. Here’s another thing, I had a problem with grinding my teeth at night, not anymore!

- Izy

Mandy & Al Mermelftein's story

Borris’ story

Although a bit reticent at first in the use of this tool, once I began using it and finding out how good a night’s sleep I could have after so many years of bad nights and untold other alternatives which always proved useless, I am now happy to let you know that thanks to SomnoMed® I am able to sleep very well and also that my wife can now enjoy a good night’s sleep without my racket at night.

- Borris

Susan’s story

“With a household to manage, motherhood, night school for advanced degrees, and two jobs – good sleep seemed an unattainable goal. Over the years of sleep deprivation, my health steadily declined with resultant hypertension, chronic sinusitis, and eventually atrial fibrillation.

I had a sleep study that showed moderate obstructive sleep apnea. A second study to fit a CPAP mask was a dismal failure – 14 different masks and nothing fit.

My dentist suggested a SomnoDent® and my life has turned around since I received it.  My husband is delighted that I no longer snore. I’m off my blood pressure medications. I truly feel like a new person with much more energy. I can’t thank you folks enough for my SomnoDent®. I’m convinced it has literally saved my life.”

- Susan

Shirley's, Jesus' & April's stories