Old Betsy Dental Sleep Medicine · Keene, TX
Can't Tolerate Your CPAP? There May Be a Simpler Option.
By Benjamin Scroggs, DMD — General Dentist at Old Betsy Dental·
If the mask, the hose, or the noise has you giving up on CPAP, you're not alone — and untreated sleep apnea isn't your only other choice. For many people, a small custom oral appliance — worn like a retainer, no machine — is a comfortable alternative. We provide it in coordination with your doctor.
Sound familiar?
You're not failing at CPAP. CPAP is just hard to live with.
The mask feels claustrophobic or won't seal.
The hose tugs every time you move.
The noise keeps you (or your partner) awake.
It's a hassle to clean and a pain to travel with.
So it ends up in the drawer — and the apnea goes untreated.
Studies suggest up to half of CPAP users don't stick with it long-term. If that's you, it's worth knowing your options.
The alternative
Oral Appliance Therapy
An oral appliance is a custom-made device that fits in your mouth like a retainer and gently holds your lower jaw forward while you sleep, helping keep your airway open. No mask. No hose. No machine to plug in. You just wear it to bed. For the right candidate, it can treat sleep apnea and quiet snoring — and because it's so much easier to live with, it's a treatment people actually use.
Why people switch
A Treatment You'll Actually Use
No mask, no hose, no machine.
Just a small custom device.
Quiet.
Nothing humming all night — better sleep for you and your partner.
Travel-friendly.
It fits in a pocket; no equipment to pack.
Comfortable enough to keep using.
The best treatment is the one you'll actually wear.
Coordinated with your doctor.
We work as part of your care team, not around it.
How it works — with your doctor
Four Simple Steps
Start with a diagnosis
Oral appliance therapy is for people already diagnosed with sleep apnea. If you have a sleep study, bring it. If you don't, we'll help coordinate with your physician — we don't diagnose or run sleep studies ourselves; your doctor does that.
Consultation & fitting
We examine your teeth, jaw, and airway and take precise impressions or a digital scan for a custom device.
Your custom appliance
We deliver and fine-tune it for comfort and effectiveness.
Follow-up — doctor stays in the loop
We adjust as needed and share results with your physician so your care stays connected.
Is it right for me?
An Honest Answer
Oral appliance therapy works best for people with mild-to-moderate sleep apnea and for those who can't tolerate CPAP — and there's growing evidence it helps some people with more severe apnea too. It isn't the right fit for everyone, and it isn't a cure — it manages sleep apnea. Your physician and our team will look at your diagnosis together and tell you honestly whether it's a good option for you.
The medical side
Insurance, Honestly
Many medical plans help cover oral appliance therapy when it's medically necessary and you have a diagnosis, though coverage and amounts vary. We're an out-of-network provider, so we provide a detailed superbill and help you pursue medical reimbursement — we don't bill your insurance directly, and we won't make promises about what your plan will pay. We'll walk you through what to expect.
Real patient reviews
What Our Patients Say
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Common questions
CPAP Alternative FAQ
Is an oral appliance as effective as CPAP?
CPAP is the gold standard and reduces apnea events more in studies — but only if it's worn. Because oral appliances are so much easier to live with, many people use them far more consistently, and the best treatment is the one you'll actually keep using. Your physician will help weigh what's right for you.
Do I need a sleep study first?
Yes. Oral appliance therapy is for people diagnosed with sleep apnea. If you don't have a recent study, we'll help coordinate one with your physician — we don't diagnose or run studies ourselves.
Will it cure my sleep apnea?
No — like CPAP, it manages sleep apnea rather than curing it. Used consistently, it can be very effective for the right candidate.
Does insurance cover it?
Often, when it's medically necessary and you have a diagnosis — but it varies by plan. We're out-of-network and provide a superbill plus help pursuing reimbursement.
Is it uncomfortable?
Most people adjust within a couple of weeks. It's custom-made for your mouth, and we fine-tune the fit.
Where are you located?
Old Betsy Dental Sleep Medicine, 104 S Old Betsy Rd, Suite A, Keene, TX 76059 — convenient to Cleburne, Burleson, Joshua, and the surrounding communities.
No pressure
Tired of fighting your CPAP? Let's talk about an easier option.
Bring your diagnosis if you have one, and we'll tell you honestly whether an oral appliance is a good fit — coordinated with your doctor, no pressure.
Old Betsy Dental Sleep Medicine · 104 S Old Betsy Rd, Suite A · Keene, TX 76059