In Adults with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Which is the Best Treatment Option, Traditional Pap Device or Oral Appliance Therapy?

Authors

LaTondra Stillwell-Barker, University of LynchburgFollow

Specialty

Sleep Medicine

Advisor

Nancy Reid

Abstract

ABSTRACT:

Purpose:

The purpose of this article is to review treatment options for obstructive sleep apnea in adults and determine how the best treatment option could be a positive airway pressure device or oral appliance therapy based on patients’ compliance.

Method:

A PubMed literature and Google Scholar search was conducted with search terms obstructive sleep apnea, best treatment options, positive airway pressure device, oral appliance therapy. Five pertinent articles were retrieved, and they serve as the basis for this clinical review.

Results:

Positive airway pressure devices remain the gold standard in treatment, but for those patients with low adherence to positive airway pressure therapy or strong resistance to positive airway pressure therapy, the oral appliance therapy becomes the best choice for obstructive sleep apnea adult patients.

Conclusion:

This project primarily focuses on which of the two most popular treatments are best for adults with obstructive sleep apnea, positive airway pressure devices or oral appliance therapy devices. Over the years, positive airway pressure devices have been the gold standard in treatment and oral appliance therapy has been preserved for mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis. However, those patients with low adherence to positive airway pressure therapy or strong resistance to positive airway pressure therapy, the oral appliance therapy becomes the best choice for obstructive sleep apnea patients with a diagnosis of mild through severe obstructive sleep apnea.

Recommended Citation

Stillwell-Barker L. In Adults with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Which is the Best Treatment Option, Traditional Pap Device or Oral Appliance Therapy?. University of Lynchburg DMSc Doctoral Project Assignment Repository. 2021; 3(1).