Oral Sleep Apnea Market Size

Oral Sleep Apnea Market Analysis

The oral sleep apnea market is expected to register a CAGR of 14.1% over the forecast period.

Initially, the COVID-19 pandemic substantially impacted the oral sleep apnea market. With the outbreak of COVID-19, the oral sleep apnea market experienced a hike in growth. It was primarily due to the elevated risk of respiratory failure in the COVID-19-infected patients. For the management of respiratory issues, oral sleep devices, such as mandibular advancement devices, were utilized to provide respiratory support to COVID-19 patients. The American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine recommended using oral sleep appliances as the first-line therapy for sleep apnea in patients amid the pandemic. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, oral sleep apnea devices work as an alternative therapy to invasive and infection-prone positive airway pressure (PAP) devices.

The massive spread of COVID-19 and the imposition of lockdown made it challenging for patients to visit their physicians, hospitals, or sleep clinics. However, telemedicine helped with the deeper penetration of oral sleep apnea therapies during COVID-19. Clinicians quickly adapted to telemedicine for their clinical practices, which helped them consult with several patients effectively. In a study published in Sleep Medicine 2022, over 10,171 sleep apnea patients were tele-consulted by the BlueSleep Center in March 2020 during the pandemic.

As per the analysis, the demand for oral sleep apnea therapies is expected to grow at a stable pace in the post-pandemic era. Several market participants have stated that sales of oral sleep devices have increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. For instance, in December 2021, SomnoMed stated that its revenue increased by 10% in the first half of the financial year 2022. It forecasted an estimated growth rate of 15% in the financial year 2022. Furthermore, Oventus Medical reported that the sales of oral sleep appliances had more than doubled between 2020 and 2021. Thus, with such an increase in the sales of devices as well as drugs, the market is expected to grow further at a stable pace.

Further, the rising prevalence of sleep apnea and an upsurge in the geriatric population, growing incidences of the underlying conditions associated with sleep apnea, and upcoming technological advancements in devices are likely to boost the market's growth over the coming years.

According to a study published in the Journal of the American Thoracic Society in 2022, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has a global prevalence of over 22.6%. Moreover, the enlarging geriatric population has a major impact on the demand for oral sleep apnea drugs and devices, as aged individuals have a high risk of developing this condition. For instance, according to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, in June 2022, nearly 1 billion people worldwide suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), with 425 million adults aged 30-69 having moderate-to-severe OSA. The study further states that when people reach 50 years or older, the prevalence increases with age, and the condition affects just as many women as men worldwide. Furthermore, the WHO predicts that by 2030, one out of every six people will be 60 years of age or older. Thus, a growing aging population more vulnerable to this condition will likely augment the demand for oral sleep apnea devices and drugs, propelling the market's growth.

In addition, the Sleep Health Organization in June 2022 stated that the medical comorbidity of obesity increases the risk of developing sleep apnea. The high body mass index causes difficulty breathing by obstructing the airway, reducing lung capacity, and causing throat collapse during sleep.

Additionally, several market players have received regulatory approvals and launched advanced oral sleep apnea products, which will propel the market's growth. For instance, in October 2022, Airway Management launched its customizable oral sleep appliance, flexTAP, dedicated to treating patients with snoring conditions and mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. The device combines patented Vertex Technology with the flexTAP Mouth Shield comfort accessory, which aids in nasal breathing and optimizes under or over-secretion of saliva. In February 2021, Oventus Medical launched its oral sleep appliance, O2Vent Optima, under its direct-to-consumer model and virtual lab. The company offers telehealth services associated with the oral sleep apnea device.

Therefore, owing to the aforementioned factors, it is anticipated that the studied market will witness growth over the analysis period. However, the high cost of oral sleep appliances and stringent regulatory policies will likely impede the market growth.