Went the Orthodontic Route

After 3 years with the machine I took the next step. It's not the easiest thing to do adult orthodontics, but it seems to work. What they do is expand your jaw width which draws the jaw forward and then use braces like the kids wear, to draw the jaw out further, opening the airway, and also fix the bite from the jaw expanding. Surgery was not an option for me and I figured I'd save the cost of it through savings in buying masks, machines, cushions, hoses and broken parts (I'm self insured) So now those who get the free stuff from Apria at way too frequent intervals and sell it on Ebay, can sell it to someone else. I do have to do one more study in 3 weeks to make sure things are spot on. Anyone else go this route

Free supplies--where? how?

For many its insurance paid

So are you saying you had a palate expander appliance on the top and bottom jaw, which you wore 16 hours a day, then got braces, and then you'll have to get either a bridge or something to fill in the gaps in your teeth? If you expanded your jaw, top and bottom, that would have created gaps in your teeth. What exactly are you talking about? Also, how long did you have to use the expander? Is it called a DNA appliance, or what is yours called, and how much did you pay? Thanks for the info.

Billy6 wrote:After 3 years with the machine I took the next step. It's not the easiest thing to do adult orthodontics, but it seems to work. What they do is expand your jaw width which draws the jaw forward and then use braces like the kids wear, to draw the jaw out further, opening the airway, and also fix the bite from the jaw expanding. Surgery was not an option for me and I figured I'd save the cost of it through savings in buying masks, machines, cushions, hoses and broken parts (I'm self insured) So now those who get the free stuff from Apria at way too frequent intervals and sell it on Ebay, can sell it to someone else. I do have to do one more study in 3 weeks to make sure things are spot on. Anyone else go this route

How does expanding the jaw width (I assume with maxillary expansion) draw the jaw forward? Also, how did they keep your lower teeth lined up with your upper teeth? I've tried reading dental articles on this topic and they are even less intelligible to me than medical articles.

Please post back after your sleep study.

I am interested in hearing more also

49er

Billy6 wrote:After 3 years with the machine I took the next step. It's not the easiest thing to do adult orthodontics, but it seems to work. What they do is expand your jaw width which draws the jaw forward and then use braces like the kids wear, to draw the jaw out further, opening the airway, and also fix the bite from the jaw expanding. Surgery was not an option for me and I figured I'd save the cost of it through savings in buying masks, machines, cushions, hoses and broken parts (I'm self insured) So now those who get the free stuff from Apria at way too frequent intervals and sell it on Ebay, can sell it to someone else. I do have to do one more study in 3 weeks to make sure things are spot on. Anyone else go this route

Most of us are content with the treatment that does work, but good luck with recouping your money selling unused supplies on the internet. Jim

Goofproof wrote:

Billy6 wrote:After 3 years with the machine I took the next step. It's not the easiest thing to do adult orthodontics, but it seems to work. What they do is expand your jaw width which draws the jaw forward and then use braces like the kids wear, to draw the jaw out further, opening the airway, and also fix the bite from the jaw expanding. Surgery was not an option for me and I figured I'd save the cost of it through savings in buying masks, machines, cushions, hoses and broken parts (I'm self insured) So now those who get the free stuff from Apria at way too frequent intervals and sell it on Ebay, can sell it to someone else. I do have to do one more study in 3 weeks to make sure things are spot on. Anyone else go this route

Most of us are content with the treatment that does work, but good luck with recouping your money selling unused supplies on the internet. Jim

I thought he was saying he no longer needs to BUY other people's unused equipment off the internet.

SleepingUgly wrote:

Goofproof wrote:

Billy6 wrote:After 3 years with the machine I took the next step. It's not the easiest thing to do adult orthodontics, but it seems to work. What they do is expand your jaw width which draws the jaw forward and then use braces like the kids wear, to draw the jaw out further, opening the airway, and also fix the bite from the jaw expanding. Surgery was not an option for me and I figured I'd save the cost of it through savings in buying masks, machines, cushions, hoses and broken parts (I'm self insured) So now those who get the free stuff from Apria at way too frequent intervals and sell it on Ebay, can sell it to someone else. I do have to do one more study in 3 weeks to make sure things are spot on. Anyone else go this route

Most of us are content with the treatment that does work, but good luck with recouping your money selling unused supplies on the internet. Jim

I thought he was saying he no longer needs to BUY other people's unused equipment off the internet.

Duh, I mis-read that into it. So he just has to save up out of pocket for a sleep test to validate his cure, or not and just guess if and how long he's cured.

I'm lucky, I'm not cured, but I am treated and retested every night. Jim

I think orthodontia is a legitimate approach, BUT hopefully the OP has been retested since the orthodontic treatment to be certain that the apnea no longer needs CPAP treatment. Otherwise, it's dangerous to guess.

My daughter (11 years old) is undergoing orthodontia right now. She has the same facial "dysmorphisms" as I do from our shared genetic syndrome--high arched palate, narrow dental arches, and micrognathia, or very small and receded lower jaw. These issues are major contributor to my obstructive apnea--my airway is extremely narrow.

DD is on her second round of palate expansion with a wire system called the "Damon System" which pulls the teeth outward with "energized" wires while the normal movement of the tongue inside the mouth helps with the pushing, too. She needed two rounds because she's growing--the first did a fantastic job so that all her baby teeth could come down, but the second stage is required to accomodate her growth.

In addition, she has something called a Herbst appliance. http://www.bernsteinbraces.com/orthodon ... ces/herbst This will bring her lower jaw forward and will widen her airway considerably.

The orthodonist tells me he could do the same for me, although it would be slower, harder, and less chance of full success. We really can't afford to treat both of us (VERY expensive!!!), but some adults have it done and are successful.

Janknitz wrote:I My daughter (11 years old) is undergoing orthodontia right now. She has the same facial "dysmorphisms" as I do from our shared genetic syndrome--high arched palate, narrow dental arches, and micrognathia, or very small and receded lower jaw. These issues are major contributor to my obstructive apnea--my airway is extremely narrow.

I commend you. You're smart, and you're saving your daughter from a world of hurt later on.

A good chunk if her college fund is in her mouth right now. Fortunately she's really bright and a hard worker, so we're hoping for scholarships!

Mu UARS problems are caused by bad orthodontia. I had two upper molars (they were huge) removed, then everything was pushed backwards. I hate orthodontists for what they've done to me. I have UARS, neck and back problems, scoliosis and severe TMJ due to this %&#$!

Can you explain how you think scoliosis was caused by having two molars removed? Thank you.

Can you explain how you think scoliosis was caused by having two molars removed? Thank you.