Inspire Therapy for Sleep Apnea: How It Works, Who Qualifies & What Else Is Available

For patients who struggle with CPAP compliance or who do not respond well to it, Inspire therapy offers an alternative approach that addresses airway obstruction through electrical stimulation.

Learn about sleep apnea diagnosis and oral appliance therapy at our Gilbert office  →  Sleep Apnea Treatment

What Is Inspire?

Inspire is an implantable medical device for treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in patients with moderate to severe OSA who are unable to tolerate or benefit from CPAP therapy.

How Does Inspire Work?

Inspire delivers mild stimulation to key airway muscles during sleep, preventing the airway from collapsing. The system includes a small pulse generator implanted beneath the skin in the upper chest, a breathing sensor in the chest wall, and a stimulation lead targeting the muscles that control the airway. The system activates automatically based on breathing patterns during sleep.

Inspire vs. CPAP

CPAP delivers pressurized air through a mask during sleep. Inspire stimulates the tongue muscles to maintain an open airway without a mask. CPAP is non-invasive; Inspire requires a surgical procedure.

Advantages of Inspire Therapy

•       Personalized settings for each patient

•       Easy to use with a small remote control

•       No mask, hose, or external equipment

•       Effective for long-term sleep apnea management

•       May improve cardiovascular health outcomes

•       Can reduce daytime sleepiness and fatigue

Who Is a Candidate?

•       Confirmed OSA diagnosis via sleep study

•       Moderate to severe sleep apnea

•       CPAP has not been effective or tolerated

•       Suitable upper airway anatomy

•       Good overall health

•       Not suitable for central sleep apnea

The Inspire Procedure

Patients undergo a comprehensive evaluation before proceeding. The surgical implantation under general anesthesia involves placement of the pulse generator in the upper chest, the breathing sensing lead near the diaphragm, and the stimulation lead near the hypoglossal nerve.

Potential Side Effects and Risks

•       Pain or discomfort around the implanted device or leads

•       Device malfunction or failure

•       Nerve injury

•       Device-related discomfort during sleep

•       Changes in voice or swallowing function

•       Allergic reactions to device materials

How Much Does Inspire Cost?

Many medical insurance policies cover Inspire. CareCredit estimates the out-of-pocket cost at $30,000–$40,000 for uninsured patients.

Not Sure If Inspire Is Right for You?

Custom oral appliance therapy, a non-surgical, non-invasive alternative, is effective for many patients with mild to moderate OSA. Dr. John A. Garza DDS, LVIF, FIAPA, FICOI offers home sleep testing and oral appliance therapy at his Gilbert dental practice. No referral needed — book online or call (480) 539-7979.

Learn about oral appliance therapy as a CPAP alternative  →  /services/sleep-apnea

About the Author

Dr. John A. Garza DDS, LVIF, FIAPA, FICOI has been practicing dentistry in Gilbert, AZ since 1994. He offers home sleep testing and custom oral appliance therapy for sleep apnea at his Gilbert dental practice. One of fewer than 500 dentists worldwide to hold the LVIF designation from the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies.