Does anyone use a mandibular device w/CPAP?

I have a lot of trouble keeping my "internal" mouth closed even now that I'm doing an excellent job of taping. Can't use chin straps. My mouth is sealed shut but my tongue will still come off the roof of my mouth and off we go waking me up. Pugsy has suggested I do a search for Chipmunk Cheeks which I'll do next but I have this question:

I know some people use mandibular advancement devices for mild sleep apnea but I'm wondering if anyone out there uses one to keep their mouth closed along with their CPAP? And if so, which one? I've ordered those not made by dentists but my lower jaw still falls open with everyone I've tried.

Thanks in advance!

bjhunt01 wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 20, 2019 11:20 am

mandibular advancement devices . . . to keep their mouth closed along with their CPAP? And if so, which one? . . .

I used MAD before PAP then continued to use the MAD to keep my mouth shut during PAP therapy. A dentist friend of mine made a very simple device for me. I don't know if was branded with a particular company or not. He had experience making dentures and other dental devices and rushed to make my MAD quickly as a favor to me right after my OSA diagnosis to tide me over until my PAP came in.

Basically his process was to get impressions of my upper teeth and lower teeth then to measure alignment of my jaw (1) in a relaxed position and (2) with my jaw jutted forward as far as it would go. He made a mark directly in the middle between those two positions then fashioned a device that allowed my teeth to click into the device to hold my jaw perfectly in the middle between relaxed and forward. Other than a small hole in the front of it where I could place the tip of my tongue to plug it, there were no other holes in it. The distance between upper teeth and lower teeth was minimal, as constructed, so that kept my jaw from getting tired. It worked great, but I usually don't talk about it too much because it seems to have been an exceptional circumstance unavailable to many.

I stopped using the MAD after my brain learned to keep my mouth shut at night. (Now if my brain would only help me with that trick during the day! )I still tend to jut my jaw forward out of reflex when I mask up because of those many months of using the MAD before and after initiation of PAP.

Sorry that I could not be of more help with the name or the brand used. I know that dentist went to a seminar on making it at one point. I have since lost touch with him entirely.

Hi Jeff: Thanks so much for your reply. That's encouraging to me because the ones I've tried that were OTC MAD's that you boil and bite and could adjust - I could never
get them rigged up to keep my lower jaw from falling so they didn't work at all! So I'm glad to know if I keep trying on that route there's one out there! I did talk to my dentist and he wants to charge me either $2000 or $3000 I forget which. I nearly fainted!!! I told him that was not in the budget right now after getting implants and starting up CPAP therapy.

It's also great to learn that you can get your mouth trained to stay closed at night. Pugsy told me to search "Chipmunk Cheeks" and I would find some advice there. Loved your funny about training for the daytime - ha! Barbara