[mfgs]

For anyone using or considering a CPAP device, you should also do some research into mandibular advancement devices (MADs). They’re basically a mouth guard that opens your airway by moving your lower jaw forward.

They are lesser known than CPAPs but are much simpler and way less invasive. They’re often well suited for people who are thinner and/or have milder OSA symptoms.

I couldn’t use a CPAP but using a MAD has helped significantly (although perhaps not completely).

[marstall]

I have severe sleep apnea and made the switch from CPAP to MAD a couple years ago. Expensive but covered. Never looked back. Much simpler on every level, works about the same. My wife confirms I don't have apnea episodes.

[anonu]

When you say "covered" you mean your insurance paid for it? Are you in the USA? I understand it's not covered unless you do a series of sleep studies.

[marstall]

yes, in the USA, yes - covered. and I did have to have a sleep test for the cpap, but not the MAD

[Bilal_io]

I remember my sleep doctor mentioning them as an option, but with a risk of altering the jaw's shape.

[anonu]

It's not really a risk. I use a MAD. In the morning I have a little insert that realigns my overbite and do 5 minutes of muscle exercises. If i don't do that i notice alignment issues when I'm chewing. If i do, it's not an issue at all throughout the day. There are studies that have shown that overbite decreases over time but it's not clear if they do the reset procedure every morning.