Sleep apnea is a condition that affects roughly 18 million Americans, and among those that have been diagnosed, there are a couple of different treatment routes to take. The most common sleep apnea treatment is a CPAP machine, but a relatively new option is called the VIVOS system.
Let’s take a look at the difference between a CPAP machine and VIVOS.
What is CPAP?
CPAP is an abbreviation for “continuous positive airway pressure,” and a CPAP machine is used to treat sleep apnea. CPAP machines work by delivering constand pressurized air into a mask that a sleep apnea patient wears during sleep. This pressurized air is designed to help prevent breathing disturbances that are common in individuals with sleep apnea.
What is VIVOS?
The VIVOS system is a custom-designed oral device that individuals with sleep apnea can insert into their mouths before bed. The device helps prevent interruptions in breathing during the night by stabilizing the interior of the mouth. However, the VIVOS system also effectively reshapes the mouth to create more room for the soft palate tissues and the tongue.
Which is Better for Sleep Apnea?
Though both devices are designed to manage sleep apnea, CPAP and VIVOS are two different modalities.
CPAP machines do not change the shape of the mouth, nor are they designed to cure sleep apnea. As such, patients who use CPAP machines need to use them continuously to manage the symptoms associated with sleep apnea.
VIVOS, on the other hand, is not designed to be a permanent application. The device is designed to reshape the mouth in order to create more room for the soft palate tissues and tongue. Rather than having patients use these devices continuously, the treatment timeline for VIVOS takes between 18-24 months to complete.
VIVOS permanently changes the shape of the mouth, and if an individual’s Obstructive Sleep Apnea is the result of an individual’s mouth and throat shape, VIVOS may very well cure the condition.
If you know or suspect that you have sleep apnea, it’s important to seek help from a professional. Reach out to Golden Heart Dental at your convenience to schedule a sleep apnea assessment. Our team will evaluate your condition, determine whether you are living with sleep apnea, and provide you with treatment options that meet your needs.