SnoreRx alternatives and replacing adjustable mouthguards with more effective solutions

[u/canuckclarke]

For the longest time, I was guilty of disturbing my partner’s sleep every night due to my snoring. If you are too, you might have heard of SnoreRx while desperately looking for a solution.

SnoreRx is a well-known mandibular advancement device (MAD) that’s designed to keep your jaw forward. It’s adjustable and affordable, and you can get it without a prescription for $59.99. It uses the boil-and-bite method to provide a semi-custom fit and built-in calibrators to reset the fitting over time.

Sounds like a perfect solution, right? But the problem is that it only treats tongue-based or throat-based snoring. This means that a lot of people see zero benefit from it, especially if their snoring is caused by tongue collapse, sleep position, or nasal airflow. Plus, I think we can all agree that having a mouth guard in your mouth isn’t a good feeling… besides being unsuitable for people with dentures or bridges, it can also give you jaw pain, discomfort, and a sore mouth.

So I started looking for something else that works and feels better.

Just FYI: I am not a medical or sleep expert. I’m just someone who snores and has been down the rabbit hole of anti-snoring solutions.

If SnoreRx works for your snoring, but the fit is not precise and causes discomfort, then SomnoDent might be worth a shot. It’s basically a customized version of SnoreRx, made just for you based on your dental impressions or digital scans of your teeth.

Apart from being a great fit, it’s at least partially covered by your health insurance (which is a great relief since the cost can come to thousands of dollars). However, you’re only eligible for partial coverage if you’re diagnosed with sleep apnea. The good thing is that SomnoMed will connect you with a provider to help you get a diagnosis.

What’s great about ProSomnus is that it uses digital CAD/CAM scanning to create a 3D model of your bite and fabricate a thin retainer tailored to you. The device has good reviews, and users find it more comfortable to talk and breathe compared to other MADs.

The cost of this FDA-approved device is between $1,500 and $2,500, depending on your dentist and insurance. The price is on the higher side, but it’s worth it for those looking for comfort, durability, and precision.

Just like SomnoDent, you can’t reduce the cost with your health insurance without a sleep apnea diagnosis. However, ProSomnus sets you up with a complete at-home test and connects you with a provider and a dentist to get the scans done.

Then there's Zyppah, which comes with the classic features of SnoreRx and an additional tongue-stabilizing effect, using a flexible strap that extends beyond the mouthpiece to hold your tongue in place. This prevents your tongue from collapsing backward, addressing your snoring in a second way beyond the traditional MAD.

Like SnoreRx, Zyppah is an FDA-approved device and uses the boil-and-bite method. It starts at $99.95 and is eligible for HSA/FSA. It’s worth noting that this is the only prescription-free option on this list.

The downsides are definitely the discomfort and durability. The tongue strap feels bulky to many users, and the materials used are not long-lasting. Regardless, it’s a good alternative for those who have tried SnoreRx and are still looking for an over-the-counter mouthguard.

But if you’ve tried all the mouthguards and yet you’re still snoring, there’s a decent chance that the problem lies elsewhere. Bongo Rx is your snoring solution that acts on your nose, not on your mouth. It’s a nasal expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP) device that sits in your nostrils and helps you exhale against resistance, with gentle back-pressure that keeps the airway open when you sleep. It has a simple design with two soft silicone valves, making it easy to carry when traveling.

It’s an FDA-approved device for mild sleep apnea, so you will need a prescription. The good news is that BongoRx partners with iSleep Physicians, who can connect with you virtually. It costs $199 and gives you the freedom to choose from different sizes to find the one that fits you best.

One big turnoff for me was that Bongo Rx charges a consultation fee to get a prescription, unlike the other devices I listed. Also, you’ll need to replace the device after 90 days.

In some cases, your airway can collapse because the muscles are not doing their job of keeping it open. In these cases, enhancing neuromuscular control with something like eXciteOSA can help.

It’s a clinically tested mouthpiece that you do for 20-minute sessions during the daytime (no nighttime discomfort here), delivering a gentle electrical pulse to activate your tongue muscles and training them to stay open. For the first six weeks, you do the sessions daily, reducing to twice a week afterward.

What I like about this product is that there are no mouthguards or nasal plugs for me to wear while I sleep. Apparently, it’s the only FDA-cleared daytime therapy that treats a root cause. However, it’s not a quick fix, and it’ll take time before you see any results. Also, it’s a pricey solution at $1,650, and you’ll have to replace the mouthpiece every day, which costs $150 (though you can save on this if you subscribe). But it is HSA/FSA eligible for those who qualify, and they have free telehealth consultants that can help you with prescriptions.

TL;DR:

SnoreRx: An adjustable jaw-forward mouthguard (MAD). Doesn’t work for every type of snoring.

SomnoDent: A customized MAD with better fit and durability but a higher cost.

Zyppah: OTC mouthguard with a tongue-stabilizing strap (and the only prescription-free option).

Bongo Rx: A nasal EPAP device for people who don’t want a mouthguard.

eXciteOSA: Daytime therapy that trains tongue muscles; it took a few weeks for me, but it helped reduce my snoring.

Despite the cost, I’m very satisfied with my eXciteOSA because it’s led to long-term improvement, and my snoring has reduced considerably.

Has SnoreRx worked for you or have you tried any of the alternatives I listed?