According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, any patient that has mild to moderate sleep apnea can go straight to an oral appliance to treat sleep apnea. Severe patients are recommended to try a CPAP first but if they are unable, or unwilling can then try oral appliance therapy. Oral appliances are also recommended for those who do not tolerate CPAP options well.
Oral appliance for sleep apnea: Average cost is $2,500- $4,200
While treating obstructive sleep apnea by any means seems like an added expense, the cost-effectiveness of treatment is much greater than not treating the sleep disorder at all. If left untreated, OSA can result in a number of health-related problems. It can also contribute to worsening life-threatening conditions including stroke, hypertension, heart failure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and more.
In addition, sleep disorders such as OSA can lead to costly situations. For example, the excessive daytime sleepiness suffered by untreated OSA patients by getting inadequate sleep regularly causes motor vehicle accidents and workplace accidents. Not only does OSA lead to greater accident risk, but people often suffer productivity losses making them less proficient in the home and the workplace.
While patients may be reluctant to pay any out-of-pocket costs for OSA care, the results of numerous studies regarding the long-term financial costs of not treating the disease are much greater. Thankfully, advances in sleep medicine and the health care system now provide a variety of treatment options for those suffering from mild to severe OSA. Everything from CPAP treatment, to getting to normal body weight, to oral devices can help treat sleep apnea.
It’s important for your quality of life and long-term health to treat sleep apnea with one of the above methods. The cost of untreated sleep apnea is far greater than that of treatment.
If you or a loved one suffer from snoring or sleep apnea, please contact our office at: 973-244-2424
or visit: https://www.drdalbon.com/procedures/snoring-sleep-apnea/