If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, chances are the first solution you heard about was a CPAP machine. While CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) therapy is often a gold standard, especially for severe cases, it is not the only option available. At AOO | ENT Specialists of the Rockies, with locations in Denver, Lone Tree, and Castle Rock, our team offers a comprehensive approach to sleep apnea treatment that goes far beyond a one-size-fits-all solution.

What Causes Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea occurs when the airway collapses during sleep, restricting airflow and reducing oxygen levels in the body. This collapse is often due to anatomical issues anywhere from the nose to the voice box. During sleep, especially at certain stages, muscle tone decreases. This can cause the soft tissues of the throat or tongue to block the airway temporarily.

Patients often visit us with common symptoms such as:

• Loud snoring
• Frequent awakenings at night
• Fatigue during the day
• Bed partner witnessing pauses in breathing

In some cases, sleep apnea is discovered when patients are referred by other doctors for related conditions like high blood pressure or atrial fibrillation (AFib), which are strongly linked to untreated sleep apnea.

How We Decide if CPAP Is Right for You

While CPAP is highly effective, it is not suitable or necessary for everyone. At AOO, we determine the best course of treatment through a detailed analysis of your airway structure and function, combined with results from your sleep study.

Patients with severe sleep apnea or those at high risk, such as individuals who are significantly overweight, are often best served with CPAP. For others, especially those with mild to moderate apnea or primarily snoring-related concerns, there are excellent alternatives that may be easier to tolerate and just as effective.

Sleep Apnea Alternatives Offered at AOO

We believe that sleep apnea care should be personalized. Our ENT specialists are surgeons who also apply a deep understanding of airway dynamics to create individualized treatment plans. Some of the most successful alternatives we offer include:

Oral Appliance Therapy

For patients with mild sleep apnea or snoring, a custom oral appliance may be all that is needed. We work with a highly experienced dental partner who specializes exclusively in oral appliance therapy. This provider is in-network with most insurance companies and offers a selection of over 70 different device types, ensuring a tailored fit. These devices reposition the jaw or tongue to keep the airway open and are covered by medical insurance.

Snoreplasty

Snoreplasty is a minimally invasive option specifically targeted at reducing snoring, not sleep apnea. It uses minimally invasive techniques such as injections, lasers, or radiofrequency to stiffen the soft palate, reducing vibration during breathing.

Tongue Suspension and Frenulectomy

Tongue procedures address airway obstruction caused by the tongue or the tissues beneath it. By modifying the structure, they prevent the tongue from falling back into the throat during sleep.

Airway Surgery

We offer refined and modern versions of older surgical techniques like UPPP (uvulopalatopharyngoplasty) and tonsillectomy. These hybrid procedures can be highly effective when tailored to the individual patient. Septoplasty and turbinate reduction can also significantly improve nasal airflow, helping patients tolerate CPAP or reducing the severity of apnea.

Inspire Therapy

Inspire is an implantable device that acts like a pacemaker for the tongue. It is an ideal solution for many patients who cannot tolerate CPAP. This minimally invasive procedure activates the airway muscles during sleep to keep the airway open.

Why Personalized Treatment Matters

There is no universal solution for sleep apnea, since everyone’s anatomy, medical history, and sleep patterns are different. At our practice, we consider factors such as age, gender, genetics, and severity of symptoms before recommending treatment. The final piece of the puzzle is your sleep study data, which helps us pinpoint where the airway is collapsing and choose the best intervention.

Advanced Testing and Complete Care Under One Roof

We are proud to offer both home-based and in-lab sleep studies to evaluate your condition. AOO is the only ENT practice in the region that provides the full spectrum of diagnostic testing and treatment options in one location. Whether you need CPAP, an oral appliance, surgery, or Inspire, our coordinated care model ensures everything is handled by one team.

What Does the Future of Sleep Apnea Treatment Look Like?

CPAP continues to evolve, with recent improvements in comfort and usability. However, the future of sleep apnea treatment is moving toward more personalized and less invasive solutions. As awareness grows, more patients are seeking and benefiting from options beyond CPAP. Implantable technologies like Inspire are just the beginning of a new wave of therapies.

At AOO, we are committed to staying at the forefront of sleep apnea care and providing patients with the most advanced, effective, and comfortable solutions available.

Take the First Step Toward Better Sleep

If you suspect you have sleep apnea or are struggling with CPAP, do not settle for a one-size-fits-all approach. Contact AOO | ENT Specialists of the Rockies today to schedule a consultation in Denver, Lone Tree, or Castle Rock. Together, we will find the solution that fits your life and helps you breathe easier.

Keith Swartz, M.D.

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Dr. Keith Swartz is dual-board-certified in otolaryngology and sleep medicine, and he received his medical degree from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. He was the Chief Resident of the Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery at the United States Air Force Academy and founded the first comprehensive home sleep testing protocol in the United States Air Force. When not helping patients at the Associates of Otolaryngology, he loves to ski, fly fish, and spend time with his wife and three kids.

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