Oral device/mouthpiece and jaw ache

[CPAPQs4All]

Hi, I am considering trying an oral device/mouthpiece for hypopnea but I had slight jaw problems in the past from another issue.

Which would more likely cause jaw ache, a full-face CPAP mask or one of these oral devices?

If any of you have personal experiences of this, that would be helpful too.

[Julie]

Oral devices... e.g. TMJ and others, which is not to say many aren't happy with them and feeling better. FF masks don't cause anything like the same problems, though (als0) many have somewhat smaller complaints re fit, leaks, etc etc.

[CPAPQs4All]

Oral devices... e.g. TMJ and others, which is not to say many are happy with them and feeling better. FF masks don't cause anything like the same problems, though (als0) many have somewhat smaller complaints re fit, leaks, etc etc.

Thanks, so you tried one and it gave you TMJ pain?

[Julie]

Nope, but lots of others here have done so - do a keyword forum search for details.

[Janknitz]

My dentist said that when he did oral appliances, he gave his patients a set of exercises to do every morning when they removed the device because it puts your jaw in a different position than it normally is. He said a lot of people are uncomfortable in them. They are good for mild OSA, but he does not recommend them for anyone with moderate or severe OSA. Other dentists have fewer scruples--there's a big profit margin on them.

Learning to sleep with CPAP involves a learning curve, and masks are uncomfortable at first until you find the right one, and the correct adjustment. But it seems to me that once you've got all that worked out there's no longer any discomfort, but there could be ongoing and significant discomfort with an oral appliance.

[CPAPQs4All]

My dentist said that when he did oral appliances, he gave his patients a set of exercises to do every morning when they removed the device because it puts your jaw in a different position than it normally is. He said a lot of people are uncomfortable in them. They are good for mild OSA, but he does not recommend them for anyone with moderate or severe OSA. Other dentists have fewer scruples--there's a big profit margin on them.

Learning to sleep with CPAP involves a learning curve, and masks are uncomfortable at first until you find the right one, and the correct adjustment. But it seems to me that once you've got all that worked out there's no longer any discomfort, but there could be ongoing and significant discomfort with an oral appliance.

Thanks, yes, I don't know how my jaw would handle being forced into a different position than it normally is for a whole night every night.

[stevenal]

Confirmed. Oral appliances made my TMJ pain and jaw allignment worse. Thinner and less forward versions were better in that regard, but less effective for snoring. I was likely wearing one when taking the overnight oximetry test that led me on the path to CPAP prescription. Happy wife...you know the saying.