Any folks using dental devices with CPAP?

[SleepingUgly]

Anyone using something like a mandibular advancement device with CPAP? If so, are you using a nasal interface? And if you are, how does a MAD affect keeping your mouth shut and not leaking air out of your mouth?

[Paul56]

I used a custom dental appliance for bruxism... no problems
keeping my mouth shut all night but I may be stressed.

[Thomas F.]

Yes- I use the nose breather for heavy mouth breathing mouthpiece in combination with Fisher Paykel Forma full face mask.
The mouthpiece does very good job at keeping my mouth sealed and therefore forces me to nose breath. website is nosebreathe.com
My solution to get healthy,normal sleep has taken many twists and turns but I'm finally sleeping through the night without sleep medicine. My average AHI is < 3 for the last few weeks. I expect that I would have same good results with nasal mask but I actually like my FFM and don't want to mess with success at the moment.

Prior to using the nose breather I used a different dental appliance called SUAD, also in combination with VPAP. This was effective at moving my jaw forward and my sleep improved somewhat although I would continue to have these awakenings and my hypop index was always too high 10-15. I chalked this up to my brain still being on high alert and that it would get better in time. Unfortunately the awakenings continued.

Here is my theory why the nose breather works better than SUAD device in my situation: I was mainly a mouth breather with the SUAD device in combination with VPAP. I did not mind mouth breathing as long as I got good rest but as I explained I had many awakenings. I'm fairly certain the awakenings were caused by central apneas - not obstructive. My theory is possibly mouth breathing there was very low resistance in the breathing process and my brain was not getting the feedback it needs to trigger me to breathe during REM. This is hard to get a handle on because my Resmed VPAP does not score centrals separately they are just lumped into hypops I believe. My hypop index was always above 10 as mentioned before.

With nose breather mouthpiece forcing me to nasal breath there is the normal resistance which the brain expects and I sleep through the night and am feeling great.

[SleepingUgly]

Thanks for the comments. I'm specifically wondering if anyone uses an ADVANCEMENT device with a nasal interface, as it seems like an advancement device may make it harder to keep one's mouth shut than just a nightguard for bruxism, which I'm already wearing.

[Cokomo]

My ave. pressure is 15. Dme insists the high pressure is the reason I can't sleep for more than 2 hours with ffm. Is there a dental appliance which advances the jaw slightly and is small enough to be used with a ffm? The hope is to be able to reduce pressure to around 7 or 8, making it possible to stay asleep longer.

[wildman 2]

I went to the nose breath.com website to see what they had to offer. the question I have for Thomas F. is which device are you using? There seem to be at least 2 that could be used. Also I would love to hear from any other members that have used this device.
Know His Peace
Wildman 2

[chunkyfrog]

Do Poli-grip strips count as a dental device?

[soundersfootballclub]

Anyone using something like a mandibular advancement device with CPAP? If so, are you using a nasal interface? And if you are, how does a MAD affect keeping your mouth shut and not leaking air out of your mouth?

I bought a TAP 3 from a sleep dentist. Unfortunately it was a waste of money so far for me I barely use it. I can't wear it with my hybrid mask because it causes leaks with my jaw pulled forward. I'm a mouth breather and tried it out with a nasal mask I bought when first getting on CPAP and it made my mouth air leaks much worse so couldn't even use it for that. I would definitely suggest anyone thinking about oral appliances to go buy a cheap one online and see if it makes a difference for you at all before going to a sleep dentist and wasting time and money on something that is more advanced.

[hopeful_visitor]

I've begun using a dental appliance instead of the CPAP machine - I've had very little success with CPAP for about 3 years.

The oral appliance is being adjusted gradually to the ideal comfort and theraputic calibration. Ideally, my lower jaw should be (I think) extended about 7mm beyond my upper jaw. Right now the appliance is at about 3mm. It's too soon to tell if the oral appliance is actually effective. Only a polysomnograph and MSLT will reveal the results for sure. I'll be sent for another sleep study once the appliance has been calibrated to the full extent. I've been told my breathing at night sounds normal from family members (vs. without anything, gasping and snoring and 15 second intervals of not breathing at all). Sounds promising! But a casual observer can't detect what a polysomnograph can. I'm very hopeful, but am also trying to be realistic and patient as I adjust to it, and as my dentist recalibrates it over time.

Once thing is certain; with the CPAP mask on, there was little to no chance that I'd ever fall asleep - not even for a moment. I spent many consecutive nights over several months, wide awake, as I was determined to give the CPAP a real chance. Accepting that adjustment to CPAP would make sleep worse before it would improve seemed to make sense. But after no improvement after many months of compliance, and worsened onset insomnia (and really severe MSLT results), an oral appliance seemed like it might be a viable option for me to try. Already, I can actually fall asleep with the appliance in my mouth, which can not be said for me and CPAP.

Wish me luck!

[Cokomo]

Looked @ the Nosebreathe device and it's not what I am looking for. I want something which can be used w apap that will advance jaw slightly forward, openening airway. Goal is to reduce pressure from 15.5 ave. Ordered a $30 device today which claims it will do what I'm looking for.