Anyone use a dental retainer (for orthodontic retention)?

I had orthodontic work and braces about 10 years ago and have a Hawley retainer (standard metal and acrylic).

I wore it religiously every night for years with no problem. Then last year I got a bad cold and couldn't wear it when I was sick. I wound up getting out of the habit of wearing it, and when this apnea stuff started, I found that I just couldn't tolerate wearing it at night at all. I've thought about wearing it for a few hours during the day (I work from home), but I keep forgetting.

Now that I'm on cpap therapy (nasal mask), I was thinking maybe I should try wearing the retainer again. I know that it's important to continue wearing it because I had 4 extractions and although my teeth seem stable, they might shift a bit if I don't wear the retainer at least a few nights per week. And considering that I paid more than $5,000 for the orthodontic work, which took 3 years, I want to keep my teeth straight.

So -- I'd like to hear from anyone else who wears a retainer at night. Do you feel that it interferes with your cpap therapy in any way? I figure that since my mask is nasal only and I am not supposed to be opening my mouth, it shouldn't make a difference.

Thanks for your input.

I don't wear a retainer, but I do wear a bruxism guard. Like your CPAP mask, the only way to get used to wearing it is to wear it. Still like the CPAP mask, you don't have to wear it only while your asleep, as long as you aren't eating wear it whenever your at home. This will help you get accustomed to it again.

Like you, I wear a dental retainer from orthodontia done years ago. No problems wearing it with full face mask or nasal pillows.

Good luck!

You definitely want to wear it at least 1-2 nights/week. I've read about people who have had teeth shift because of their mask, and that's not a risk you want to take. I wear mine maybe once or twice a week with no problems. Doesn't interfere with the CPAP at all.

Good to know. I plan to try to start phasing in my retainer again in a month or two, after I get totally adapted to my cpap, find the right pillow,etc. I'm afraid if I add yet another thing to the mix now, I'll sleep even worse at this point. I'm still trying to find a comfortable pillow, and that is the major reason I'm not sleeping totally well with the cpap right now.

If you can't wear it at night, wear it for a few hours during the day a few days a week. You would be surprised how quickly the force from a full face mask can move teeth, to the point that in a few weeks your retainer will not fit.
Stephen