Just wanted to pop in to clarify some things:
1) Per VA M21-1MR, a dental device for mild (with symptoms), moderate, and severe (with CPAP intolerance) OSA that is medically necessary fits the criteria for 50%.
2) Both CPAP and a dental device require a follow-up sleep study. Typically the CPAP can be titrated during the initial study if it's done as a split-night study (where you start without the mask and then they put one on you in the middle of the night).
3) There is a large volume of research supporting the use of a dental device as a first line treatment for mild and moderate OSA. Severe OSA is CPAP first with a dental device if the patient cannot tolerate the CPAP.
4) A dental device is like any other medical treatment, it is not guaranteed to treat OSA but it has been show to be efficacious in a majority of patients. If your device is causing pain please ensure the dentist that made it examines you. It may simply require an adjustment to the device or you may be the wrong patient for it.
5) Similar to how sleep medicine is a specialty in the medical world, there are also sleep medicine dentists. I would highly recommend you are treated by a dentist who specializes in sleep medicine so you can ensure that you are being evaluated and treated with someone who has set that as their focus and generally has a stronger knowledge base.
Obviously every patient is unique so what works for some doesn't work for others, but we do have good research to support the use of dental devices.
Also, just for background, I'm a dentist that specializes in orofacial pain and sleep medicine.
1) Per VA M21-1MR, a dental device for mild (with symptoms), moderate, and severe (with CPAP intolerance) OSA that is medically necessary fits the criteria for 50%.
2) Both CPAP and a dental device require a follow-up sleep study. Typically the CPAP can be titrated during the initial study if it's done as a split-night study (where you start without the mask and then they put one on you in the middle of the night).
3) There is a large volume of research supporting the use of a dental device as a first line treatment for mild and moderate OSA. Severe OSA is CPAP first with a dental device if the patient cannot tolerate the CPAP.
4) A dental device is like any other medical treatment, it is not guaranteed to treat OSA but it has been show to be efficacious in a majority of patients. If your device is causing pain please ensure the dentist that made it examines you. It may simply require an adjustment to the device or you may be the wrong patient for it.
5) Similar to how sleep medicine is a specialty in the medical world, there are also sleep medicine dentists. I would highly recommend you are treated by a dentist who specializes in sleep medicine so you can ensure that you are being evaluated and treated with someone who has set that as their focus and generally has a stronger knowledge base.
Obviously every patient is unique so what works for some doesn't work for others, but we do have good research to support the use of dental devices.
Also, just for background, I'm a dentist that specializes in orofacial pain and sleep medicine.