OAT is now a Primary Treatment Option for OSA
Jointly endorsed by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) — OAT is no longer just a CPAP alternative.
AASM × AADSM Joint Clinical Practice Guideline (2015 & 2024)
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) jointly updated their clinical practice guideline in 2015 and 2024, explicitly recommending: adults with OSA who cannot tolerate CPAP or prefer alternative therapies should consider prescription Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT). According to the guideline, OAT can reduce the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) and offers higher patient compliance (up to 80–90%), portability, and silent operation. Recent research shows OAT delivers comparable overall efficacy to CPAP in quality-of-life improvement and cardiovascular risk reduction — particularly suited for long-term management.
Global Trend: Multi-Modal, Patient-Centered Care
Driven by CPAP recall events, supply-chain disruptions, and the pandemic, international OAT adoption has risen significantly. From the European Respiratory Society (ERS) to the American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS), professional bodies recognize OAT's role in OSA management. OAT has evolved from a 'CPAP alternative' to a 'primary treatment option' — especially for mild-to-moderate OSA and patients at higher surgical risk. Collaboration among sleep medicine, otolaryngology – head and neck surgery, pulmonary medicine, and dental specialists is growing, with customizable, adjustable oral appliances becoming the mainstream — marking a shift in OSA care from single-modality, invasive treatment to comfortable, non-invasive, long-term, patient-centered care.
Clinical Advantages and Future Outlook
Compared with traditional surgery (higher risk, longer recovery) and CPAP (compliance challenges), OAT delivers better patient acceptance and lifestyle convenience. The latest literature indicates that OAT not only effectively controls symptoms but may also offer advantages in blood pressure control and daytime sleepiness improvement.