Please share your oral appliance suggestions for newbie

[axxell6307]

I've had moderate to severe apnea depending on my weight and have failed over and over with a multitude of masks to keep them on at night. I rip them off in my sleep. I only have apnea on my back, and am trying to sleep on my back due to shoulder problems. Thus, I want to explore oral appliance options. Feel free to offer any other suggestions for back sleepers. Few questions:

1. Average cost with insurance and how long they typically last
2. Do they damage teeth or gums?
3. How to find a good, reputable dentist?

Thanks all. Very helpful people here.

[ChicagoGranny]

You just joined the forum. Have you used the forum to try to overcome the problems you have with CPAP? That's what most of us did.

As for oral appliances, Gramps and I both had them made for about $1700 each. The idea was that we would use them for short naps or sleeping on flights. This was a failure - they are very uncomfortable and also ineffective.

CPAP rocks! (Once you put forth the effort to learn how to use it properly.)

[chunkyfrog]

Please hang out here and follow the advice of the brilliant people here.
CPAP is the GOLD STANDARD for treating apnea.
Anything else is a poor second.
You know you deserve the best. Make it so.

[axxell6307]

You just joined the forum. Have you used the forum to try to overcome the problems you have with CPAP? That's what most of us did.

As for oral appliances, Gramps and I both had them made for about $1700 each. The idea was that we would use them for short naps or sleeping on flights. This was a failure - they are very uncomfortable and also ineffective.

CPAP rocks! (Once you put forth the effort to learn how to use it properly.)

Yes I have gone through this several times over the past few years. I am surprised to say last night I slept a full night without ripping my mask. I am going to start a new thread with some further questions, as I'm not sure how many people will look here.

[grayghost4]

I have had a MAD made by a dentist for $1200 .... I have used it for about two weeks ... nothing but pain.
I now use a boil and bite snore stopper ...: simple mouth guard like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Best-Dental-Nigh ... mouthpiece

I have found that a cervical collar works better than a chin strap, they come in several styles and sizes :

https://www.amazon.com/Ergonomic-Cervic ... ollar&th=1

Good luck on your journey to better therapy

[jmblack6307]

I have had a MAD made by a dentist for $1200 .... I have used it for about two weeks ... nothing but pain.
I now use a boil and bite snore stopper ...: simple mouth guard like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Best-Dental-Nigh ... mouthpiece

I have found that a cervical collar works better than a chin strap, they come in several styles and sizes :

https://www.amazon.com/Ergonomic-Cervic ... ollar&th=1

Good luck on your journey to better therapy

Thanks
The cervical collar is interesting. Is this now a common treatment for snoring? Is it for everyone?

[grayghost4]

it appears that you want to NOT use the cpap...... WRONG.... I use the two item WITH the Cpap

the mouth guard is also called a Night Guard :

http://www.colgate.com/en/us/oc/oral-he ... guard-0313