2nd Dental Device Update

Swordz · Post by **Swordz** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 9:24 pm

Back to the dentist....

I've had my Somnomed MAS dental device now for probably 2 weeks and everything is going really well. I am able to get to sleep normally with it and you actually don't feel it after probably 15 mins. It is amazing how well I've been able to comply with this treatment so far.

My dentist stated that most patients tend to see results around the 60-75% advancement mark. All patients are measured beforehand to see how far they can comfortably extend thier jaw. If a patient can extend the lower jaw 10mm, than 60% would be 6mm advancement of device and lower jaw. This measurement is taken into consideration when making the device, as the Somnomed actually advances the jaw 40-50% when worn with no advancement in the appliance screws. (Hope that makes sense.) The device is advanced more and more until the desired treatment benefits are noticed (better sleep, ie) or the patient can't comply with farther advancement (jaw pain, ie TMJ).

One full rotation of the screws in the device equals to 0.10 mm. I have been told to make three turns, and keep that advancement for 3 days before advancing more. So basically I will be advanced ~1.0mm after 9 days. My mark of 60-75% advancement, in which I should start to see results, will be within the next three weeks if no major TMJ or other problems occur. I have experienced TMJ twice, once being the first night I wore it. The 2nd time was last night after I advanced the device 9 turns (~0.9mm) becuase I forgot my correct advancement given by my dentist (3 turns every 3 nights = 0.3mm advancment)

I have started advancing it, and will advance it ~3 mm over the next 3 weeks. Sounds like a small amount, but when put in context of 3 mm more of throat room, that's a huge amount.

My PSG for dental device titration is yet to be scheduled, as I am not guaranteed that I will see maximum results in 3 weeks. Keep in mind the jaw must be slowly advanced, and this means small increments over a period of days. I'm VERY impatient, but I know I must follow the guidelines, or I could cause serious damage to my jaw.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 10:46 pm

Thank you so much for keeping us updated, Cory. Sounds like your game plan is going well. I'll be very interested in seeing the report from your future PSG, but I think you're right to put that off until you've achieved the maximum advancement you can have with the dental device. Above all....make haste S-L-O-W-L-Y! LOL!!

Swordz · Post by **Swordz** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 11:09 pm

Did I mention this dental device bites? ...

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 3:35 am

Thanks Cory, I wouldn't be in any hurry for your follow-up study, I would go until no more advancement is needed wait a month or so then have the follow-up study.

Think I read somewhere where MMA surgery only advances like 12mm (max), so if you can get 10mm without surgery that is great.

Are you starting to look like Leno?

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 6:10 am

Cory,

Overall, how are you feeling? Any improvement yet? I know it's still very early in your journey, but was just wondering. Thanks for the detailed update and lesson. Have a great holiday.

(PS: Did you get to sit on Santa's lap yet and tell him what you want for Christmas??? )

meister · Post by **meister** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 9:41 am

No, you didn't mention it, but did I mention that my
CPAP blows? It really sucks to wear it, as well.
The mask on my face is like making love to an octopus.

Keep adjusting until your air way is completely open!
Some folks add the Pillar procedure in there to complement
the Dental Device. The DD only pulls the jaw and tongue
forward. It doesn't take care of some types of palate
obstruction.

Swordz · Post by **Swordz** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 11:28 pm

Sleepless on LI wrote:Overall, how are you feeling? Any improvement yet?

Questions! Too many of them! Overall, I have noticed I am a little clearer in the morning, regarding mental clarity and concentration. Sleep-wise, I don't really feel that much better. My apnea is severe, and hopefully I will notice the difference in these next oh-so-crucial 3 wks.

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 5:54 am

Swordz wrote:
Sleepless on LI wrote:Overall, how are you feeling? Any improvement yet?
Questions! Too many of them! Overall, I have noticed I am a little clearer in the morning, regarding mental clarity and concentration. Sleep-wise, I don't really feel that much better. My apnea is severe, and hopefully I will notice the difference in these next oh-so-crucial 3 wks.

Geesh, it certainly didn't help your tempermental personality (LOL).

Glad you're at least having some positive effects already. I'll be looking forward to your third update. Have a merry one, Cory.

sleepylady · Post by **sleepylady** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 3:13 pm

Cory,

Congrats on the early success of your dental device. Just getting used to it and complying with your treatment is a big accomplishment. I had a TAP device before my CPAP and couldn't handle it. Ended up with TMJ and seemed to fight keeping the device in at night. Anyway, thanks for the lesson on your dental device. It sounds like slow is the way to be successful in this race.

Good luck with the advancement of it. Keep us informed.

Melinda

RAMBLINMAN · Post by **RAMBLINMAN** » Tue Dec 27, 2005 8:56 pm

HI all,

I'm comming into this thread alittle late but wanted to ask Swordz are you trying a dental device instead of using a cpap device....?

And if so why..?

Swordz · Post by **Swordz** » Tue Dec 27, 2005 11:31 pm

RAMBLINMAN wrote:I'm comming into this thread alittle late but wanted to ask Swordz are you trying a dental device instead of using a cpap device....?

Yep, using the Somnomed MAS instead of a CPAP/APAP.

RAMBLINMAN wrote: And if so why..?

Basically put, I'm not a CPAP kinda guy! I couldn't ever get tolerated to it. I would lay in bed with the mask on for 3 hours, and never be able to get to sleep. So after those 3 hours, I would just take the everything off. I saw it as, I'd rather get crappy sleep, better than no sleep.

So after many appointments with a Sleep Medicine Certified Dentist, and a Sleep Apnea ENT specialist I had: (A) Surgery to improve my nasal breathing, including septoplasty and turbinate reduction. (B) A Somnomed MAS dental device to treat tongue obstructions.

I am in the process of advancing my device and setting up a PSG to see the effectiveness of the device, and to see the proper advancement setting (in terms of millimeter advancement). I am trying to schedule a 2nd appointment with a ENT to get a 2nd opinion concerning any palatal obstruction, and whether there is any worthiness of seeking Pillar procedure. After all this, I will then schedule another PSG, or just have one with Pillar-only results, and the 2nd half of the study with dental device results.

I am one who doesn't accept one standard treatment. One treatment doesn't fit all, and MANY people don't know of thier options. Why not seek another treatment if (A) it works effectively and (B) I am a candidate for the treatment. I don't try to sway people from CPAP, and am no CPAP-hater. Dental devices aren't for everyone, and I am definitely taking a chance with as severe as my apnea is (AHI 57). People with dentures, crowns, or any dental work, and also TMJ problems will not be able to use dental devices. And Pillar is only for people whom have palatal obstructions. BUT... I will definitely let people know my results. My sleep doc (Pulmonologist) only offered CPAP as treatment, and I'm sure he has no clue about other treatments.

I am also seeking insomnia treatment through a Sleep Psychologist, but treatment is postponed until I start to see results from my dental device. My insomnia is probably apnea related, and my Psychologist knows there is no point in trying to treat it until I have successful treatment of my apnea.

Whoooooo.. Hope that answers your ?'s!!!

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Wed Dec 28, 2005 12:47 am

Not that I'm the one that asked - but still - great answer, Swordz!

O.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Wed Dec 28, 2005 1:33 am

You're a smart cookie, Cory. You're certainly going about this right...planning PSG's and reassessments all along the way as you hit your goals.

I really appreciate your doing this in front of everyone, so to speak. You're doing a good service to keep us informed about how it's going for you, step by step. And by "us", I mean every reader of this message board, including those who never post. There are desperate people out there who simply cannot use CPAP for one reason or another. Letting them know that there are other treatment options is good. You just might be saving someone's life, Cory...while taking care of your own!

I feel sick to my stomach each time I read about someone who writes that they are scheduled for the notoriously unsuccessful UPPP "this week" or "next month". They'd have such a better chance, imho, if they tried the route you're taking. Dental device + pillar procedure are reversible if either/both doesn't work out. UPPP is not.

Continued good luck, Cory. Do keep us posted!

sleeplesshouston · Post by **sleeplesshouston** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 11:56 am

Cory, you'r nice enough to share your experience with Somnomed. My dentist asked me to try. I'm really reluctant to try things that have not been buzzed in the media yet. Old timer. Any progress on your side? Also, people say it changed the jaw line. True? I have a weak chin anyway, if it moves my chin out, even better...

Thanks.

kteague · Post by **kteague** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 3:38 pm

Cory,

Do I detect just a hint of hopefulness? Sure hoping with you.

Some who are reading this thread may not know all you've been thru on this journey. Those samples of preop and postop xrays that someone posted when there was discussion of MMA were eyeopeners for me - a picture is worth a thousand words. (They resurfaced again recently.) Most of us just have to strap on the machine and deal with it. I wonder how many out there struggle inordinately with their machine when their throat is not built for success.

Hey, if you get before and after x-rays, are you gonna share? Thanks for keeping us updated. I've learned a lot just following your saga.

Kathy

P.S. I'll be in "B" town next weekend. Think of you every time I visit.

Mask

2nd Dental Device Update

2nd Dental Device Update

Dental device bites?

Dental device

Update