Why Oral Appliance Therapy May Be Better Than CPAP for Mild Sleep Apnea

When most people hear “sleep apnea,” they immediately think of a CPAP machine. For years, CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) has been prescribed as the standard treatment for almost everyone with sleep apnea — from mild to severe cases.

But new research is changing that. It turns out CPAP may not be the right option for people with mild, low-risk sleep apnea. For many of these patients, a simpler and more comfortable solution, called oral appliance therapy, may be a better fit.

Oral appliance therapy vs CPAP: different options for treating mild sleep apnea.

What Is Mild Sleep Apnea?

Mild sleep apnea means you stop or reduce breathing 5–15 times per hour while sleeping. Even though it’s labeled “mild,” it can still cause symptoms like:

• Loud snoring

• Feeling unrefreshed in the morning

• Daytime sleepiness or brain fog

• Morning headaches
  

Why CPAP Isn’t Always the Answer

Recent studies found that CPAP only lowers the risk of serious heart problems in patients with high-risk, severe sleep apnea (those who have deep oxygen drops or strong heart-rate responses during sleep).

For patients with mild, low-risk apnea:

• CPAP does not provide heart protection.

• In some cases, it may even be linked with a slight increase in cardiovascular events.

• Many patients also find CPAP uncomfortable, which leads to poor nightly use.
  

Oral Appliance Therapy: A Simpler Option

Oral appliances are small, custom devices worn in the mouth during sleep. They gently move the lower jaw forward to help keep the airway open.

Research and clinical guidelines support oral appliances as a safe and effective treatment for mild to moderate sleep apnea. Patients often find them:

• Easier to wear consistently than CPAP

• Helpful in reducing snoring

• More comfortable for long-term use
  

Putting It All Together

• Severe, high-risk sleep apnea: CPAP remains the most effective treatment.

• Mild, low-risk sleep apnea: Oral appliance therapy is often a better starting point.

This doesn’t mean CPAP has no place — it’s lifesaving for certain patients. But it does mean that not every patient with sleep apnea should automatically be put on CPAP.

Key Takeaway

If you’ve been diagnosed with mild sleep apnea, it’s worth asking about oral appliance therapy as an alternative to CPAP. The best treatment depends on the severity of your condition, your overall health, and what you can realistically stick with long-term.