Inspire Sleep vs Vivos Sleep Apnea Treatment are a quite trending topic.
Does your bed feel more like a battleground than a sanctuary? Are you locked in a nightly battle against your own blankets and pillows? If so, you're not alone.
Millions of people suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during the night.
But the war on snoring and OSA just got a game-changing new weapon.
There's a revolutionary treatment called Vivos that's providing life-altering relief for even severe sleep apnea sufferers. Keep reading!
What Is Vivos and How Does It Work?
Vivos is an FDA-cleared oral appliance therapy for obstructive sleep apnea. But it's not your typical night guard or mouthpiece. Vivos uses a series of custom-fit oral devices to gently reshape your oral cavity and naturally widen your airway.
This gradual reshaping process expands and stabilizes the airway, allowing you to breathe easier during sleep. And unlike surgery or CPAP machines, Vivos requires no anesthesia, no incisions, and no external CPAP equipment.
Here's a closer look at what sets Vivos apart:
Fully Customized Devices
Each Vivos oral appliance is custom-made using dental impressions of your teeth and jaws. This tailored fit helps the devices stay firmly in place while you sleep. It also ensures that Vivos targets pressure points unique to your own anatomy.
Comfortable, Non-Invasive Therapy
The Vivos process is completely non-surgical and doesn't require any anesthesia. The custom oral devices are similar to orthodontic retainers, so they're slim, smooth and comfortable in the mouth. There are no masks, no CPAP machines, and no recovery time.
Gradual, Potential Permanent Results
Vivos works by gradually reshaping your oral cavity to create more room for airflow. This stimulation encourages natural growth of the jaws and facial bones. So rather than temporarily opening the airway like other oral devices, Vivos promotes potential lasting structural change.
FDA-Cleared for All Degrees of OSA
In an unprecedented move, the FDA granted Vivos 510(k) clearance to treat mild, moderate and severe sleep apnea in adults. This makes Vivos the first oral appliance cleared for severe cases. The FDA decision confirms Vivos is a safe, non-surgical option for patients at any stage of OSA severity.
Targets the Root Cause
Many OSA treatments like CPAP only manage sleep apnea symptoms temporarily. They don't address the underlying anatomical problem. Vivos is different. By expanding the airway, it targets the root cause of obstructed breathing during sleep. To start out, you should take out "Do I have sleep apnea quiz", to see if you are at risk for OSA
Vivos vs. Inspire - What's the Difference?
Like Vivos, Inspire is an innovative new treatment for sleep apnea. Inspire utilizes a pacemaker-like device surgically implanted in the chest. This device stimulates the tongue muscles to prevent airway blockages during sleep.
Both Vivos and Inspire go beyond temporary symptom relief to promote lasting improvements in breathing. But there are key differences:
- Invasiveness - The Inspire implant requires incisions in the chest and neck plus recovery time. Vivos reshapes the airway with only oral appliances.
- Adjustability - Inspire requires programming by a doctor to change settings. Vivos' oral devices are easily adjustable or interchangeable.
- Failure Risk - An implanted device like Inspire carries risks like infection, malfunction or rejection. Vivos has lower complication risks.
- Efficacy - While Inspire is proven effective for mild and moderate apnea, Vivos is the first and only oral appliance cleared by the FDA for all levels of OSA severity.
So while both treatments are innovative, Vivos offers a quicker, gentler and more adaptable route to lasting sleep apnea relief.
Here's How The Vivos Process Works
The Vivos treatment plan is customized for each patient, lasting an average of 12-24 months. Here's what you can expect:
1. Consultation
Your first appointment is a consultation with a Vivos-trained dentist or orthodontist. They will assess your oral anatomy, sleeping position, OSA severity and treatment goals. This helps design a treatment plan tailored to your needs.
2. Oral Device Fitting
Next, dental impressions are taken to create custom-fit oral appliances. The first device gently repositions the lower jaw to open your airway. Follow-up devices gradually expand your upper jaw.
3. Incremental Progress
You'll wear each sequential oral appliance while you sleep, allowing time for your airway to reshape between devices. Your provider will monitor and adjust the therapy until your goals are met.
4. Maintenance Plan
After completing the Vivos process, most patients transition to ongoing maintenance therapy. This retains the gains and prevents OSA from recurring.
While treatment protocols vary, Vivos offers the benefits of being completely non-surgical, fully reversible and free of lifestyle restrictions. And clinical studies reveal it's an effective long-term solution for OSA of any severity.
Is Inspire FDA-Approved?
Yes, the Inspire upper airway stimulation system received FDA approval in 2014 after extensive clinical trials. To date, Inspire remains the only FDA-approved hypoglossal nerve stimulation device for sleep apnea.
The FDA granted Inspire approval for use in adult patients with moderate to severe OSA and who are unable or unwilling to use CPAP. Studies showed Inspire therapy reduced sleep apnea events by 68% on average after one year.
So the FDA confirmation indicates Inspire is a safe, effective treatment option for select OSA patients. However, the Vivos oral appliance therapy has since received broader FDA clearance to treat mild, moderate and severe sleep apnea in adults.
Is Vivos FDA-Approved?
In an unprecedented decision, Vivos received FDA 510(k) clearance in 2023 to treat adults with mild, moderate or severe OSA.
This was the first FDA clearance for an oral appliance to treat severe sleep apnea. It was also the first time the FDA granted any sleep apnea therapy an indication for all levels of OSA severity.
By awarding this groundbreaking clearance, the FDA acknowledged Vivos' substantial equivalence to CPAP - the gold standard for severe OSA treatment. The decision affirms Vivos is a safe, non-surgical option for patients at any stage of obstruction.
Are There Side Effects or Risks With Vivos or Inspire Sleep?
All medical treatments carry potential side effects and risks. Here's how Vivos and Inspire compare:
Vivos Potential Side Effects
- Discomfort while adjusting to each new oral device
- Excess salivation initially
- Tooth soreness or movement requiring alignment
- Jaw soreness or stiffness
- Permanent bite changes (rare)
These are temporary effects that subside over the course of therapy. They are similar to side effects seen with orthodontic treatment. Serious risks like infection or nerve damage are very rare with Vivos therapy.
Inspire Sleep Potential Side Effects
- Discomfort, pain or swelling at incision sites
- Infection requiring antibiotics or revision surgery
- Breathing or swallowing difficulties
- Nerve damage
- Device malfunction requiring replacement
- Skin erosion around implant site
These risks stem from the implanted nature of the device and the requirement for multiple incisions. While not common, these risks do need to be factored into the decision to undergo implantation.
When Should I Consider Treatment for My Sleep Apnea?
If you experience any of the following signs or symptoms on a regular basis, speak to your doctor about treatment options for OSA like Vivos or Inspire:
- Snoring that disturbs your bed partner
- Daytime drowsiness or fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability or mood changes
- Headaches upon waking
- Gasping or choking during sleep
- Frequent nighttime urination (nocturia)
- TMJ and facial pain
- Bruxism or Teeth Grinding
Don't write off your symptoms as normal effects of aging or "not being a morning person." Disrupted breathing during sleep deprives your body of restorative deep sleep and oxygen. This can take a major toll on your health over months and years.
The risks of leaving sleep apnea untreated include heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, depression and an overall higher mortality rate. But the good news is treatments like Vivos and Inspire offer solutions - including for people with severe, hard-to-treat OSA. If you are concerned for your health or the health of a loved one, you may consider a sleep test. Start with our FREE sleep quiz to see if you have the signs of sleep apnea, take our sleep test here.
Which Therapy Should I Choose - Vivos or Inspire?
When it comes to choosing between Vivos and Inspire, there's no one-size-fits-all answer. The right option for you depends on:
- Severity of your OSA
- Other medical conditions
- Personal preferences
- Willingness and ability to use CPAP
Here are key factors to help you decide:
Consider Vivos If:
- You want to avoid surgery.
- You have mild, moderate or severe OSA.
- You need a flexible, adjustable treatment.
- You dislike CPAP or cannot tolerate it.
- You have dental/jaw misalignment.
- You are older, with higher surgical risks.
- You want non-invasive, reversible therapy.
Consider Inspire If:
- You only have moderate or severe OSA.
- You are open to implanted technology.
- You failed conservative OSA treatments.
- You cannot or will not use CPAP.
- You want the most rigorously studied implant.
Your Vivos or Inspire provider can help you weigh your options. But the FDA clearance shows Vivos is proven safe and effective even for severe, complex cases of sleep apnea.
Final Thoughts
Both Vivos and Inspire offer innovative alternatives to standard sleep apnea treatments like CPAP. While conservative options like oral appliances and positional therapy help some patients, millions more need real solutions to end the chronic health toll of OSA.
Ready to learn more? We highly recommend visiting our sleep center or contacting Dr. Jamielyn Hanam-Jahr of Beverly Hills Aesthetic Dentistry. She is one of the most experienced Vivos providers in the country, and is dedicated to helping patients achieve lifetime freedom from sleep apnea. Learn more at www.mybeverlyhillsdentist.com.
You deserve to wake up feeling refreshed. The time for better sleep is now!
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