For a long time, if you were struggling with sleep issues or were diagnosed with sleep apnea, your treatment options were pretty limited. But thankfully, medicine has progressed rapidly over the last few decades, giving tired patients access to CPAP therapy, oral appliance treatment, and now Inspire therapy. Because Inspire therapy is the newest, people tend to know the least about it and have questions. Is it better than other proven treatments? As always, it depends on your situation and goals, and for many, Inspire therapy is exactly what they need to feel fully rested again.
How Inspire Therapy Works
Inspire therapy is a breakthrough treatment for obstructive sleep apnea that works from inside your body, no mask or appliance required. A small device is placed under the skin of your chest with an implant positioned under your chin. While you sleep, Inspire gently stimulates the airway muscles, preventing them from blocking the throat so you can breathe normally all night. It’s controlled by a simple remote that turns the device on at bedtime and off in the morning.
Inspire vs. CPAP Therapy
CPAP is by far the most commonly prescribed sleep apnea treatment, and it works by using a mask and steady airflow to keep your airway open. However, many people find the device uncomfortable or hard to use every night. With Inspire, no mask, hose, or machine are needed. Both treatments are effective for sleep apnea, but Inspire may feel more natural and comfortable for people who have trouble sticking with CPAP.
Inspire vs. Oral Appliance Treatment
Oral appliances treat sleep apnea by gently moving your lower jaw forward to help keep your airway open. They’re small, easy to travel with, and don’t require electricity. Because Inspire is implanted inside the body, there’s nothing a patient has to wear at night. Both treatments are effective and offer an easier alternative to traditional CPAP therapy.
Which One Is Best?
Because each of these treatments is proven to help reduce or even resolve sleep apnea symptoms, a better question is, “Which one is best for you?”
A simple way to compare these treatments is to look at the process to get them, what using it is like, and what are the expected costs.
CPAP therapy is often covered by medical insurance and easily available, but many patients struggle to use it consistently because of issues with comfort and maintenance.
Oral appliance treatment involves working with a sleep dentist to receive a customized mouthguard. This can sometimes be partially covered by medical insurance (depending on your plan) and is really simple to use night after night.
With Inspire, a patient needs to undergo a 60-minute outpatient procedure to have the implant placed. After that, it’s just a matter of remembering to turn the device on every night. It can often be more expensive than the other options due to the technology and surgical aspects, plus it is often not covered by insurance (although this is changing).
The Verdict
When it comes to your health and rest, you can’t go wrong with any of these options, but it’s best to discuss them with your sleep physician or sleep dentist to determine which one would be the right fit for your situation. It’s not a decision you have to make alone, and with a little professional guidance, you’ll be waking up feeling energized again before you know it.
About the Author
As a sleep apnea patient since 2009, Dr. Mitch Conditt is well aware of how this condition can affect a person’s physical and mental well-being. That is why he is so passionate about helping people get better sleep through oral appliance treatment. This has led him to complete several residency programs, become board-certified in dental sleep medicine, and study with world-renowned experts in the field.
If you believe you could benefit from treatment, or you have not yet been diagnosed with sleep apnea, our team is ready to guide you in your next steps. Contact our Fort Worth office at 817-527-8500.