Best nasal pillow mask (2013)

[akeegan]

Hello y'all,

Sorry I disappear for long periods of time and just pop up, but you are the absolute best for CPAP information, so...

I have used the ResMed Swift FX pillow mask for years. For some (grateful) reason, my body chemistry doesn't seem to deteriorate body products (glasses, contacts, watches, CPAP masks, etc.) as frequently as most. Therefore, my masks seem to last forever. But, moving into this decade, I have decided to replace my pillow mask.

Does anyone recommend a better pillow mask the the FX? I have no complaints with the FX. Zero. But, I am always amenable to you your expert advice. Should I consider another pillow mask?

Regards,
Al Keegan
Austin, Texas

[jdm2857]

The Swift FX still get high praise around here.

Some people prefer the Aloha (https://www.cpap.com/productpage/devilb ... -mask.html), from RespCare,
and others the Pilairo (https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pilair ... k-f-p.html) from Fisher and Paykel,
so you might want to check them out.

[Pugsy]

There's a brand new nasal pillow mask out.
Pretty unique. It moved my Swift FX down to number 2 spot.
viewtopic/t87232/New-TAP-PAP-mask-review.html

I don't know that it is any better at what it does except it doesn't move and I don't have to wear any headgear.
You might see if it looks interesting to you.
Also the Aloha is pretty good too.
It all sort of depends on your own preferences as to what you like or dislike about a mask.
I am always up to trying something new.
Did you see the Pilairo? It's new also.

[chunkyfrog]

I have only slept with my Tap Pap one night.
Sweet. It takes a little getting used to, so after 7 hours, I swapped it for my Swift FX.
I will probably keep it--amazing stability!

[eeckel]

Aloha is worth consideration.

[HoseCrusher]

Another vote for the Swift FX...

[Daisy004]

wouldnt that tap pap eventually loosen your teeth long term use? I would be worried about that...although it does look good...I would have concerns about anything anchored to my teeth, am I missing something?

[Kitatonic]

If you aren't having any problems, hold off changes until you do. It took me about seven months to have my nares toughen up to the pillows. Now I love the fact that putting the gear together, daily cleaning, ordering, etc...is so quick & simple. Although occasionally, I think about changing out of curiosity, I know my numbers and comfort could not be improved upon.

The gear-less TapPap is tempting, but the dental issue needs to be carefully followed for those with extensive dental restorations or implants. Even my minimal night guard has shifted my bite after six years.

[~Q~]

The Pilairo certainly sounds interesting.

With the Tap-Pap, how do you guys keep the mouthpiece from coming loose without the xPAP tube being anchored somehow to your head? Seems that if you rolled over and the hose was caught on your pillow or covers, it would pull the nasal pillows loose.

Q

[Pugsy]

With the Tap-Pap, how do you guys keep the mouthpiece from coming loose without the xPAP tube being anchored somehow to your head? Seems that if you rolled over and the hose was caught on your pillow or covers, it would pull the nasal pillows loose.

The mouth guard is a snug fit. Normal movement in bed doesn't phase it at all. The nasal pillows don't move either. No matter which way I flop the hose around the bed.. the mouth guard and nasal pillows never budge. The mouth guard won't budge unless I make a special effort to pull it off.

Only thing that moves sometimes is the end of the mask hose where it fits into the ClimateLine hose..it isn't as snug in the Climateline as it is in a regular hose. Easily fixed by cramming the short hose into the long hose attachment just a little further in.

Questions about teeth movement and the mouth guard...I am not a dentist so can't say other than it is mainly a mouth guard that just happens to have a plastic strip sticking out so that a frame can be attached to hold the nasal pillows.
It fits over all the teeth and not just a couple of teeth so any tension or pressure is going to be evenly dispersed. I don't see how it could cause teeth movement but I suppose if someone has some real concerns then it would be best to talk to their dentist about it. We have no way to judge how it might affect the teeth later on...we haven't used it long enough.
I don't see it causing any weird movement because the pressure is spread out over all the teeth...but then I am not a dentist.
I will be seeing my dentist this summer and plan to ask him if he can come up with any negatives about it in relation to teeth.

[~Q~]

I think the invisalign orthodontic system is essentially clear plastic inserts, so it would seem that it may be possible that any kind of mouth guard (I'm thinking of the kind I used to wear in highschool sports) worn over time could cause some tooth movement. Would certainly be worth talking to a dentist about. Typically, mouth guards aren't meant to be worn for 1/3 of your life.

Q

[akeegan]

I think the invisalign orthodontic system is essentially clear plastic inserts, so it would seem that it may be possible that any kind of mouth guard (I'm thinking of the kind I used to wear in highschool sports) worn over time could cause some tooth movement. Would certainly be worth talking to a dentist about. Typically, mouth guards aren't meant to be worn for 1/3 of your life.

Q

Q,

Cool picture. Aren't you dead?

I agree with your thoughts about length of time of mouth guard wear. What are your thoughts about some postings that the repeated used use of nasal pillows can cause upper-teeth movement? I have read anecdotes about this for years, and given I have have worn nasal pillows for years, I have anecdotal evidence that nasal pillows can act as, in effect, dental braces and move front teeth.

I've gone totally OT here, and am not sure what to do about this post.

Al

[ughwhatname]

The gear-less TapPap is tempting, but the dental issue needs to be carefully followed for those with extensive dental restorations or implants. Even my minimal night guard has shifted my bite after six years.

Is your night guard custom-fit to you? I hope that doesn't happen with the Tap Pap, and since its a mold of my own teeth, I don't really understand how it could do that, other than maybe if I slept in such a way that the mask put steady pressure on the splint to cause things to shift.

[ughwhatname]

With the Tap-Pap, how do you guys keep the mouthpiece from coming loose without the xPAP tube being anchored somehow to your head? Seems that if you rolled over and the hose was caught on your pillow or covers, it would pull the nasal pillows loose.

The mouth guard is a snug fit. Normal movement in bed doesn't phase it at all. The nasal pillows don't move either. No matter which way I flop the hose around the bed.. the mouth guard and nasal pillows never budge. The mouth guard won't budge unless I make a special effort to pull it off.

Only thing that moves sometimes is the end of the mask hose where it fits into the ClimateLine hose..it isn't as snug in the Climateline as it is in a regular hose. Easily fixed by cramming the short hose into the long hose attachment just a little further in.

Questions about teeth movement and the mouth guard...I am not a dentist so can't say other than it is mainly a mouth guard that just happens to have a plastic strip sticking out so that a frame can be attached to hold the nasal pillows.
It fits over all the teeth and not just a couple of teeth so any tension or pressure is going to be evenly dispersed. I don't see how it could cause teeth movement but I suppose if someone has some real concerns then it would be best to talk to their dentist about it. We have no way to judge how it might affect the teeth later on...we haven't used it long enough.
I don't see it causing any weird movement because the pressure is spread out over all the teeth...but then I am not a dentist.
I will be seeing my dentist this summer and plan to ask him if he can come up with any negatives about it in relation to teeth.

I have a dental appointment in a couple of weeks. I plan to bring my Tap Pap and chat with my dentist about it. I'll report in on what he says.

[Pugsy]

I have a dental appointment in a couple of weeks. I plan to bring my Tap Pap and chat with my dentist about it. I'll report in on what he says.

Please do let us know what your dentist says.
I love the Tap Pap freedom but if there was a potential problem I would want to know...maybe alternating with the Swift FX to lessen any chance of a problem would be a viable solution. Though I don't know what to make of the people who say that the nasal pillows have caused teeth movement. After 4 years with a nasal pillow only mask system I don't see any movement at all. Of course I always wore my Swift FX disgustingly loose so maybe that is part of it.