What is the name of your oral device?

Barbara

I had seen the oral appliances on the internet, but every doctor I went to pooh-poohed the idea (“those don’t really work” or “it’ll permanently change your bite”). I was prescribed CPAP (like everyone else), but could not tolerate it: I describe it as being like having a squirrel clinging to your face all night long. I also confirm the other comments above (air flow waking me up, zits, etc.). After many weeks and several masks, I gave up on CPAP.

One ENT proposed a very significant nasal/sinal surgery: turbinectomy, repair of deviated septum, etc. Another ENT wanted to perform a “suspension suture” (basically they put a string through the back of your tongue, attaching it into the jaw bone so that your tongue cannot fall back into your throat). I was worried about outcome as well as side-effects of these surgeries. Since my apnea was mild, I survived for a couple more years with only a chin strap (which helped a little with keeping my tongue from falling back).

Finally, one day, I decided to take the plunge, did a web search for a dentist that offered the oral appliances, found one nearby, called for an appointment. The dentist I found does nothing but apnea appliances; she doesn’t fill cavities or anything like that.

I already had a bite guard for bruxism (clenching or grinding). She chose the SUAD for me, saying that — in her experience — it stands up to the punishment better than other types. She saw me several times over the first few weeks to start me with it “gently” and then adjust it.

I already had some mild but persistent jaw pain from the clenching when I started (and was already using a bite guard which I hated). For a few weeks, the jaw pain got a bit worse. Over time, though, it improved significantly. My own belief is that moving the jaw forward at night, then moving it back in the day time has eventually gotten it more used to moving, increased its range of motion, and eventually led to the jaw muscles relaxing. (There is a second rubber mouth piece you get that you use every morning to move your jaw back into position.)

I can’t say I “love” the way it feels. Even though it fits like a glove, it feels big and bulky when I first put it on. However, I am able to get to sleep and now I sleep for at least five or six hours at a time. Sleep is a lot more refreshing too; I never wake up choking. I had some issues with it abrading the inside of my cheek in the first few weeks. The dentist gave me some wax to cover the “sharp” spots and eventually I quit noticing it (and quit needing the wax). Using the morning piece to get the jaw back in position is not bad at all, it actually feels good.

My dentitst is a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. (I did not know about that until after I first visited her.) They have a web site with a “find a dentist” link at http://www.aadsm.org/

If you’re in the east Atlanta / Decatur area, I also highly recommend my own dentist, Dr. Sheri Katz.

Jeff

It gets washed every morning & regains shape in hot water, should last 9 months. It has saved me! How can I get a sleep study to check apneas now? I know I’m much improved, no daytime symptoms. Hooray!