Sleep Apnea Treatment Alternatives: Beyond CPAP

What Is Sleep Apnea and Why It Matters

Sleep apnea is a condition where your breathing repeatedly stops and starts while you sleep. These pauses can last 10 seconds or more and happen dozens—sometimes hundreds—of times a night.

The most common type is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which occurs when soft tissue in the back of your throat collapses and blocks the airway.

Left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to serious health issues like:

• High blood pressure
• Stroke
• Heart disease
• Memory problems
• Mood swings and depression
• Daytime fatigue (which increases accident risk)

The bottom line? Poor sleep isn’t just annoying—it’s dangerous.

The Problem With CPAP

CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) is the go-to treatment for sleep apnea. It keeps the airway open by pushing air through a mask worn overnight.

But for many people, it’s hard to live with:

• The mask feels uncomfortable or claustrophobic
• It dries out the nose or throat
• The noise disrupts sleep (yours and your partner’s)
• It’s bulky for travel

Dr. Yamashiro sees patients all the time who’ve tried CPAP and just couldn’t make it work. That’s where alternative treatments come in.

1. Oral Appliance Therapy

Think of it like a custom-fit retainer or mouthguard. Oral appliances gently reposition your lower jaw to keep your airway open during sleep.

Benefits include:

• Small and portable (no hoses or cords)
• Comfortable and easy to wear
• Quiet—great for bed partners!
• Easy to clean and travel with

At Ecologic Dentistry, Dr. Yamashiro uses digital scans to ensure your appliance fits perfectly. No goopy molds, ever. Most patients feel improvement within a few nights.

This is a popular option for busy professionals, parents, and anyone tired of fighting with their CPAP every night.

2. The Vivos System: A Breakthrough in Sleep Apnea Care

One of the most exciting alternatives to CPAP is the Vivos System. This FDA-cleared treatment doesn’t just manage sleep apnea—it aims to resolve the root cause: underdeveloped airway structures.

Unlike CPAP or nightguards, Vivos uses a custom oral appliance worn for a few hours each day and/or overnight. Over time, it gently stimulates bone growth and helps reshape your airway naturally.

Benefits of Vivos include:

• Non-invasive and pain-free
• Often reduces or eliminates the need for lifetime CPAP use
• Supports healthy facial development in children and adults
• Can improve sleep quality, focus, and even mood

Vivos is especially helpful for patients in Bonney Lake and Tacoma who want a long-term solution—not just symptom control. Dr. Yamashiro is trained in this system and has helped both adults and children find relief with it.

3. Myofunctional Therapy

Breathing through your mouth? Tongue always in the wrong place? Myofunctional therapy focuses on retraining the muscles of your face, jaw, and tongue to support better breathing and posture.

You may benefit from myofunctional therapy if you:

• Breathe through your mouth at night
• Grind your teeth or clench your jaw
• Have forward head posture
• Experience chronic sinus congestion

It’s like physical therapy—but for your mouth and airway. We often recommend it alongside Vivos or oral appliance therapy for the best results.

4. Lifestyle Changes That Make a Difference

Sometimes small tweaks lead to big changes. You can support your main treatment by:

• Losing excess weight, which reduces pressure on your airway
• Sleeping on your side instead of your back
• Reducing alcohol and sedative use at night
• Practicing nasal breathing during the day

Dr. Yamashiro also encourages patients to explore gentle movement like yoga or walking the trails near Lake Tapps or Point Defiance—it’s not just good for your body, but also for your sleep.

5. Surgery: A Last Resort

In very severe or unresponsive cases, surgery may be recommended. Options include:

• Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)
• Jaw advancement surgery
• Nasal surgery to open up breathing passages

Surgery is always a last resort at Ecologic Dentistry. We prefer to exhaust all non-invasive, holistic options before referring you for surgical intervention.

What to Expect at Your Visit

If you suspect sleep apnea—or you’re looking for CPAP alternatives—we’ll start with a full consultation.

Here’s what you can expect:

• Review of symptoms and sleep history
• Digital airway scans and jaw evaluation
• Discussion of lifestyle factors and health goals
• Personalized treatment plan built around your comfort and needs

If a sleep study is needed, we’ll help you coordinate that with a trusted local provider in Bonney Lake or Tacoma.

Real Sleep. Real Relief.

Sleep apnea is a serious issue—but it doesn’t have to control your life. With today’s technology and Dr. Yamashiro’s whole-person approach, there’s never been a better time to explore sleep apnea treatment alternatives.

Call Ecologic Dentistry today to schedule your sleep apnea consultation with Dr. Yamashiro. Let’s explore your treatment options and build a plan that helps you sleep—and feel—better every day.

Questions We Hear Often