PAP Therapy – Powell, OH

How Can Powell Dental Sleep Solutions Help Me Understand PAP Therapy?

• Diplomate of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine
• Treatment Includes Take Home Calibration Sleep Test with No Fees
• Treatments personalized for every patient

What is PAP Therapy?

Positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy is the most common non-surgical treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. It involves placing a small mask over the nose and/or mouth and blowing compressed air into the lungs. Various types of PAP devices exist, and they each keep the airway open using a flow of air pressure through the mask that you wear at night. PAP devices are available in many styles and sizes, and all are portable.

CPAP

Continuous positive airway pressure is the most commonly used of the PAP devices. When using CPAP, the amount of air pressure delivered to the airway is the same during both inhalation and exhalation.

BiPAP

Bilevel positive airway pressure, sometimes referred to as BiPAP, delivers a higher-pressure during inhalation than during exhalation. BiPAP is most commonly used when a patient cannot tolerate a high continuous pressure, particularly when it’s required to open the airway on inhalation.

AutoPAP

Auto-adjusting PAP devices, sometimes referred to as APAP, automatically vary PAP pressures throughout the night, utilizing the lowest levels required to eliminate both apneas and hypopneas. Many patients find the AutoPAP to be more comfortable to use compared to other PAP devices, but these machines are also more expensive.

Additional features may include:

• Ramping for a gradual increase in pressure until the prescribed pressure is achieved.
• Humidification for moisturizing mucus membranes that may become dry from the pressurized air delivery. Most PAP machines incorporate this feature. Heated humidifiers add more moisture than non-heated humidifiers to the inhaled air.
• Pressure relief during the beginning of exhalation where a small decrease in air pressure occurs. Many users find that this makes PAP more tolerable by allowing exhalation to be completed with less effort against pressurized air.

PAP masks

PAP masks come in many different shapes, styles, and sizes. They deliver air through the nose or through the nose and mouth. Most nighttime mouth-breathers require a facial mask. A comfortable and well-fitting mask with minimal air leakage is essential for tolerance and efficacy. The best mask is one that is comfortable, fits well, and is one that you will consistently use.

Common challenges with PAP Therapy include :

• Feelings of claustrophobia
• Limitations of movement
• Nasal stuffiness or congestion
• Leaks around the mask
• Facial or dental discomfort from mask pressure
• Excessive noise
• Redness or irritation where the mask or straps touch the skin
• Dry mouth
• Excess water in tubing or accumulation in the mask

PAP Treatment Results

The outcome of all treatment for obstructive sleep apnea depends upon how effective the treatment is and patient compliance. CPAP may be extremely effective, but if it is not used, it will not have an impact on health outcomes. A clinical study in Respirology examined cardiovascular mortality in patients with moderate to severe OSA. The investigators found no difference between the groups that used CPAP versus the ones that used oral appliances.

Occasionally, patients with severe OSA are unable to obtain completely effective results with only one therapy. For those patients, combination of therapies are ideal. Powell Dental Sleep Solutions will assist their patients with obtaining combination therapies such as Inspire and oral appliance working together for more efficacious results.