How a custom dental device can replace your CPAP machine for mild to moderate sleep apnea.
By Korea Dental Trip · Reviewed by Dr. Lee Dae-gyeong, DDS PhD
April 2026 · 5 min read
If you've been diagnosed with sleep apnea, your doctor probably prescribed a CPAP machine. And if you're like the estimated 50% of CPAP users who struggle with compliance, you already know the problems: it's loud, uncomfortable, restrictive, and makes travel a hassle.
There's an alternative that most sleep apnea patients don't know about: a custom oral appliance made by a dentist.
An oral appliance for sleep apnea looks similar to a sports mouthguard or orthodontic retainer. It's custom-molded to fit your teeth and designed to gently reposition your lower jaw forward during sleep. This forward positioning keeps your airway open by preventing the soft tissue collapse that causes obstructive sleep apnea episodes and snoring.
Unlike CPAP, an oral appliance is silent, portable (fits in your pocket), requires no electricity, and most patients adapt to it within a week.
For mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea (AHI 5-30), oral appliances are clinically effective and recommended by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) as a first-line alternative to CPAP. Multiple studies show significant reduction in AHI (apnea-hypopnea index), improvement in oxygen saturation levels, reduction in snoring, and improved daytime alertness and quality of life.
For severe sleep apnea (AHI above 30), CPAP remains the gold standard. However, oral appliances may still be appropriate for severe cases where CPAP is not tolerated.
In the US, a custom sleep apnea oral appliance costs $1,800–$3,000. Insurance coverage varies widely — many plans cover little or nothing. At Kainos Dental in Gangnam, Seoul, the same device costs $400–$800.
Dr. Lee Dae-gyeong has filed a patent on a snoring and sleep apnea oral appliance. Kainos Dental fabricates the device in-clinic from digital impressions, typically ready within 2–3 days of your first visit. The entire process — consultation, fitting, delivery — can be completed during a single trip to Seoul.
You might be a good candidate if you have mild to moderate sleep apnea and dislike CPAP, your partner complains about your snoring, you travel frequently and want a portable solution, you've tried CPAP and can't tolerate it, or you want to explore non-surgical options before considering surgery.
Related guide: Sleep Apnea Treatment at Kainos Dental →
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