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My front teeth have been pulled and a bone graft and implants were inserted. I began to see and feel a lump on the gum’s bony ridge. Turns out the specialist must not have been paying when i asked him if a nasal CPAP (N20) would bother the bone graft because he said “no, that’s fine. It also turns out he was wrong. So my new specialist in same practice says No cpap until everything is solid and he may have to add more bone later. Dammit.

I pulled out every mask I have today - Solo, N20. N30, F20 - and they all have sufficient weight on bone that I dare not
Violate his “no cpap” guidance. So last night i used mouth tape and no cpap. I can breath through my nose fine but am a big mouth breather and suffer a lot of aerophagia w/out tape.

But according to the iPhone app ‘Sleep Cycle’ which records skeep sounds and records sleep talking, snoring, etc. I had 70 nasal snoring episodes between 11:30 and 5:30. So 11/hr. I am not overly tired but not as refreshed as I normally am. My AHI is usually less than 2.

Many apologies for the tome. But I am seeking any experience or thoughts about how I might best manage my apnea without a cpap.

Thanks,
Pam

pbet67 wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 19, 2025 8:59 am

I am seeking any experience or thoughts about how I might best manage my apnea without a cpap.

Taping your mouth shut isn't going to stop the tissues inside the airway from collapsing. Might stop the mouth breathing but won't stop the tissue collapse.

About the only thing you can do short of actually using the cpap machine/mask is to sleep upright or as upright as feasibly possible.
Like sitting up or semi sitting up in a recliner.

True. But it will stop my severe aerophagia from mouth breathing.

My bed is adjustable and I had the head raised to about 30 degrees. I will crank it up more.

Thanks for your response

.

You may or may not see much difference when upright. Not everyone will have their OSA made worse laying down only to have it be less severe when upright.

I know it wouldn't help me much because I have fallen asleep sitting totally upright on the couch only to snore and wake myself up.
But some others will have a marked change in severity with change in position.

an implant moved? How long did the bone graft heal before they put in the mount and your new teeth? I had one molar implant done and it took one year to complete. They did a bone graft and let it heal for 6 months. After the hole was drilled and the screw put into the bone. They let that heal another 6 months before mounting a new tooth.

I would suggest a nasal pillow or a full face mask. My P10 puts no pressure on my teeth.

Oh this process is not close to being complete. Late fall maybe. Thanks for the suggestion of a P10. I am not familiar with it so i will check it out. I have tried nasal pillows unsuccessfully.

pbet67 wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 19, 2025 8:59 am

My front teeth have been pulled

You don't specify upper or lower. If it's upper, you could use a "traditional FFM". It won't touch the uppers and maybe not the lowers. - https://www.cpap.com/collections/full-face-cpap-masks