Appliance Therapy

Appliance Therapy can be an effective alternative to CPAP.

The TMJ and Sleep Therapy Centre of Pittsburgh specializes in oral appliance therapy. Despite the fact that oral appliance treatment is regarded as first-line therapy for mild to moderate sleep apnea, many patients are prescribed a CPAP. Although CPAP is considered the gold standard for treating sleep apnea, many patients do not begin or complete treatment within a year due to intolerance.

 The causes for CPAP failure are many:

• The CPAP mask can be irritating around the face.
• The apparatus is cumbersome, uncomfortable, and inconvenient to wear
• The pressure settings are incorrectly placed, causing breathing difficulties and difficulty falling asleep.
• Some patients disregard the cleaning, maintenance, and replacement of filters and supplies.
• Some people may not experience any improvement in their symptoms and may continue to feel tired all day.
• Monthly costs of supplies such as filters, face cushions, masks, tubing, etc.
• The CPAP machine’s loudness 

 (Most newer CPAP machine models have significantly lower noise levels.)

We design customized nylon sleep appliances. Nylon makes for an extremely thin and easy-to-clean appliance. Nylon is also incredibly sturdy, therefore these appliances will last a long time. The adherence to therapy after 1 year is around 90%.

There are circumstances where CPAP treatment is needed such as A-Fib . Patients who do not respond to CPAP are frequently effectively treated using a combination oral appliance/CPAP. The oral Appliance opens the airway and maintains the tongue forward, allowing the CPAP to work at considerably lower pressures.

Sleep appliances are also not completely effective. The success rate is around 70%. These people may benefit from a combined oral appliance/CPAP.