Mandibular device - dentists?

[CarrieS]

My Sleep Doc gave me a script and a list of Dentists that make these but my normal dentist said that they can do them. Are all dentists the same when you get these? The Dentists on the lists are all just normal dentists I believe they are DMDs and DDSs and I use to go to one of them for normal dentistry. Id prefer to go to my normal dentist but wasnt sure if it mattered?

[Velbor]

There are doctors, and there are doctors. In theory, every doctor is licensed to do everything that any doctor can do, regardless of training, expertise or experience. A GP can prescribe a CPAP machine and "manage" your therapy. Your oddds of success increase (but are not guaranteed) by going to a sleep medicine specialist.

Similarly, there are dentists, and there are dentists. In theory, every dentist is licensed to do everything that any dentist can do, regardless of training, expertise or experience. Any dentist can take a mold of your teeth and send it off to a lab which fabricates oral devices for sleep apnea.

There are literally dozens of appliances available. You might look at http://www.ihatecpap.com/oral_appliance.html (with no endorsement from me regarding this site.) Will an inexperienced and untrained dentist know how to select the best product for you? Will an inexperienced dentist know how to guide you through the not-always-simple rough spots along the way? Your odds of success increase (but are not guaranteed) by going to a specialist.

You might look at http://www.aadsm.org/ the web site of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (with no endorsement from me regarding this site.) Again, with no guarantees, you might want to find a dentist with at least some formal training and certification.

Another option is to check out your nearest teaching hospital, and determine whether their "Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery" is experienced in sleep apnea appliances. I have the good fortune of having my appliance managed by a physician, who is also a dentist, in that setting, with my CPAP and medical issues handled by a sleep specialist physician affiliated with the same hospital, and the two of them actually communicate with each other!

With the right evaluation and the right appliance and the right management, I have very successfully used a mandibular appliance for many years. I have found that the experience of the clinician is the critical factor. Good luck. Velbor

[Babette]

Here's my take on it - which you'll hear echoed by others on this forum.

My 'regular' dentist sold me a mouthguard specifically made for me. He spent a long time fitting it.

It hurt, I could never get used to it, I threw it away.

It cost me $183 out of my pocket, on top of what my insurance paid.

I wouldn't do it again.

If DESPERATE, I might consider going to a dentist who specializes in sleep medicine, and is APPROVED by one of the reputable device manufacturers. Like the Thornton, for example.

I wouldn't go to my regular dentist again for something like this.

Good luck!
B.

[jnk]

If insurance is gonna pay, find the best doc you can. But if I was gonna pay out of pocket, I'd try shopping around by phone. A few dentists overcharge for the service, in my opinion.

The better devices are adjustable so that the doc can experiment a bit to find the right amount of jaw advancement, which can be different for each person depending on jaw and teeth. You want the jaw as far forward as you can get it without damaging the jaw or significantly shifting any teeth. It can take some time and a few adjustments to get it just right if you go that route, but it can pay off handsomely in effectiveness. The cheaper devices that are not adjustable can work fine, though, if the dentist is very experienced at measuring and marking the molds so that the nonadjustable hits the sweet spot for you. That's what I use.

[Snoredog]

Sleep Medicine is NOT taught in any Dental School I know of and my daughter is a Dentist. There is training they can attend to become certified.

I'm sure any Dentist can order up one and those devices and those that sell them will sell to any Dentist trained or not. Just like
Pillar, have a weekend all expenses paid seminar like at San Diego and you leave a Pillar Specialist.

[sleepydoll]

There was a thread on this subject on Nov 5th....and here was my response.

I've had an oral appliance done by my dentist a few years ago. Mine goes by the name " SUAD DEVICE".
What it does is bring forward your lower jaw so that more air can flow. I Know it is quite costly: I paid $1200.00 and none vas covered by insurance.
Outcome:
- While it did stop my snoring, I still had most of my air supply barely passing through. So I still felt like crap in the morning.
- The jaws are always sore, because of the apparatus piece that sticks out into your cheeks...sleeping on your side is close to impossible.
- It needs specific cleaning to be done every morning....
- I needed " special ajustments" after dental work I new filling). Since the device is custom-made from your dental prints, there is always " tweakings to
get done if ever you need new dental work done.
- The only advantage is that since the snoring is diminished, the people around you sleep better!
Was it worth it?.... Not for me...CPAP was the only solution !
D.

Here's the whole thread on the subject:
Oral Appliance
by Jcochran on Wed Nov 05, 2008 10:37 pm
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=36023

[Babette]

Hey, I was wrong. I didn't throw it away. In fact, I just stumbled across the stupid oral device when I was cleaning house. Popped it in, went "YEE GODS AND FISHES THIS HURTS!" and spit it back out.

NOW I have thrown it away. Though I do think the pretty purple plastic carrying case might do someone some good, so it went into the Goodwill bag. I suppose folks with dentures need some place to store their teeth and might need a spare.

LOL,
Babs

[Snoredog]

NOW I have thrown it away. Though I do think the pretty purple plastic carrying case might do someone some good, so it went into the Goodwill bag. I suppose folks with dentures need some place to store their teeth and might need a spare.

LOL,
Babs

you could put condoms in it, but then again a whole box probably wouldn't fit would it

nevermind