CPAPtalk.com

its really sad that someone gets labelled a troll for relating their experience

AS any maxillo-facial surgeon will tell you , one can experience subtle changes in the jaw when you alter muscle tension or apply abnormal forces to either the jaw or teeth. Look up maxillary distractors so see the power of pressure over time expanding the maxilla as an example.

Its not possible that the movement of her teeth was so subtle that it wasn't immediately obvious?. What an awful way to make an OP feel welcome

May as well add me to the list as well...
I am not a troll but do troll this board from time to time...

I use nasal pillows (F & P Opus 360). No chin strap anymore, but do use a bite plate as I learned some years ago I clinch my teeth when I sleep. After having to have one of them fixed I bought a cheap bite plate and use that every night as well.
I tried something similar to the papcap offered by my DME but that hard bite plate gave me one hell of a horrible night and I sent it back 2 days later.

In any event, 5.5 years on cpap now (give or take) and I have a nice gap between both my upper and lower teeth right in the front. as a kid I wore the braces, headgear and retainer and had nice teeth...Will not that again.

My dentist told me that I push my teeth forward when I swallow and that is what is causing it now... at 45 why did I start this in the last few years?
I have seen things on here from time to time where the machine is blamed, and just shrug it off.

I guess my main reason for contributing is because (based on my experience), even nasal pillows will still give you bad teeth... my Dentist said to fix it he wants to grind down my (4) front uppers and make a nice bridge. Yea, that's not gonna happen. Ill just look like Buckwheat... not going to further complicate my world now.

So let me see if I have this straight (No pun intended). Some people claim it pushes their teeth backward and some claim it pushes their teeth forward?

Fifteen years on cpap, nasal pillows, gradual shift in teeth. Slowly overbite has occurred. Tongue forward pressure. Dentist never noticed as was only looking for decay on teeth. Live with it.

MbMinx: I would mention it to your dentist. Maybe your teeth/mouth won't be affected at all by cpap.

Hang Fire: I love my cpap machine/mask. I have a friend who cannot/will not use a mask. The mouth device works for her.

I have no agenda for mouth devices at all. The link I posted has references to the sites that my dentist/orthodontist were becoming aware of.

Regarding direction of teeth movement, my understanding is the pressure from the mask surrounding the upper lip causes the teeth to be pushed in. The cause of the front teeth moving outward is likely due to tongue pressure that is applied directly behind the front teeth in some cases during treatment. I suspected other mask types might cause similar problems and I appreciate those speaking up to confirm they've had similar issues with other types of masks. It makes sense that nasal masks would also provide enough pressure to cause teeth movement over time.

The pressure of the mask on the teeth is not directly related to how tight the head gear is worn, but an overly tight mask could likely contribute to the problem. This was not my situation as my headgear is worn only tight enough to establish a good seal leaving no marks on my face in the morning. I'm a side sleeper and in my case the pressure of the mask on my teeth was increased by the mask being pressed against the pillow. I would suspect there would be less pressure on the teeth if you are mainly a back sleeper, but that is just my perception at this point.

I very much appreciated the linked article as research and data needs to be made available to all PAP users and especially to dental professionals. While orthodontists are becoming more aware of the connection to CPAP and teeth movement, it is apparent that many dentists are not yet as insightful or are asking enough questions of patients when movement is occurring, especially in adults.

My quattro air does this which is why I don't wear it more than a few days at a time. My favorite mask the F&P Flexfit 432 does not as it goes under my chin not between my teeth and my chin.

ElizaNC wrote:The pressure of the mask on the teeth is not directly related to how tight the head gear is worn

Do you really mean that?

I apologized for assuming she was a troll.
The fact remains there have been a few folks trying to establish a "ca$e"
by looking for corroboration of their theories of "It blew out my lungs" or similar nonsense.
We all welcome people seeking help with making treatment possible.
Those who feel that quitting is an option are welcome to my opinion to the contrary.

Huh.....I mean that teeth may move even when headgear isnt worn very tight as in my case. Obviously, tighter worn headgear relates to a tighter fitting mask and more pressure on the face. But if you press your full face or hybrid mask into a pillow every night, you are adding additional pressure to the mask pressing against your teeth. I believe that's rather obvious. Does this offer more clarity to my earlier comment?

This sounds like a problem for SleepWeaver fabric masks.
It is a shame these masks are so rarely offered, and that so few providers have a clue how to fit and adjust them.

ElizaNC wrote:if you press your full face or hybrid mask into a pillow every night

??? What are you talking about? If you sleep on your sides, the mask should hang over the edge of the pillow and not be pressed into your face. If you sleep on your stomach, you should turn your head to the side and not press the mask into your face.

Huh? wrote:

ElizaNC wrote:if you press your full face or hybrid mask into a pillow every night

??? What are you talking about? If you sleep on your sides, the mask should hang over the edge of the pillow and not be pressed into your face. If you sleep on your stomach, you should turn your head to the side and not press the mask into your face.

I have tried that position. Aerial silks and a basket are easier!

For a short time I tried the Mirage Liberty, and other than feeling like I was at the business end of a bicycle pump, I did feel uncomfortable with the amount of pressure on my upper teeth. It hurt in the morning for the short time I used it. I thought maybe it was just me making it too tight, trying to keep the pillows where they belonged. I guess there is cause, and affect for everything.

Huh? wrote:

ElizaNC wrote:if you press your full face or hybrid mask into a pillow every night

??? What are you talking about? If you sleep on your sides, the mask should hang over the edge of the pillow and not be pressed into your face. If you sleep on your stomach, you should turn your head to the side and not press the mask into your face.

Stomach sleeper, I sleep with my face at about a 45Deg angle towards the bed and often hold the mask when I sleep at night with my hand. Eliminates leaks without effort or waking.