Your Treatment Options, Explained
There is no single "best" treatment for sleep apnea. The right choice depends on the severity of your apnea, your anatomy, your lifestyle, and what you'll actually use consistently.
Lifestyle Changes
Weight loss, positional therapy, reducing alcohol, and treating nasal congestion can all reduce apnea severity — especially for mild cases.
CPAP Therapy
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure — the medical gold standard. A machine delivers gentle pressurized air through a mask to keep the airway open.
Oral Appliance Therapy
A custom-made mouthpiece worn at night that holds the jaw in a forward position to keep the airway open. Comfortable, quiet, and portable.
Combination Therapy
Some patients do best combining approaches — such as an oral appliance plus CPAP at a lower pressure, or an appliance with positional therapy.
Surgical Options
For select patients when other options have failed: soft-tissue procedures, hypoglossal nerve stimulation (Inspire), or jaw advancement surgery (MMA).
Laser Therapy
Our office offers laser treatment that can tighten a loose soft palate, reducing snoring. It works as a helpful adjunct in certain cases.
CPAP vs. Oral Appliance — At a Glance
| Feature | CPAP | Oral Appliance |
|---|---|---|
| Effectiveness (mild–moderate OSA) | ✔ Very effective | ✔ Very effective |
| Effectiveness (severe OSA) | ✔ Gold standard | Variable; often helpful |
| Long-term compliance | ~50% quit in 12 months | Higher compliance |
| Comfort | Mask, hose, machine noise | Fits inside the mouth |
| Travel-friendly | Bulky; needs power | Pocket-sized; no power |
| Insurance coverage | Usually covered | Most medical plans & Medicare |
| Requires electricity | Yes | No |
The best treatment is the one you will actually use. An oral appliance worn every night will always outperform a CPAP sitting in a closet.
About Sleep Testing
A real diagnosis requires a sleep test — it is the only way to confirm sleep apnea and measure its severity. Most tests today are simple home sleep tests (HSAT): a small device worn on your wrist and finger overnight in your own bed. In-lab polysomnography is also available for complex cases and is ordered by your physician.
Once your physician reviews your results and confirms a diagnosis, Dr. Schumacher can work with them to determine if oral appliance therapy is right for you.
Not Sure Which Option Is Right for You?
Come in for a consultation. We review your sleep study results, health history, and goals — and find the treatment that fits your life.
Call 505-327-4863