Oral device quit working?

[sean03839]

I have been using an oral device to treat my mild OSA for about 1.5 years. I was doing great right up until about 3 months ago when things seemed to go backwards again for me.

I did replace the device with a new one but still feel very tired like the old days once again.

I am wondering if anyone else has run into any oral devices losing effeteness over time?

I am thinking that my throat and tongue have stretched or something over time so blockage can take place once again.

Thank you in advance,
Sean

[Limeygurl]

[sean03839]

Hi

I do think the jaw displacement of the new dental device is a little less. The ends (back of the mouth area) especially on the lower piece seem to be a little shorter. Not sure what to do about that as cranking the device out further will put a lot more pressure on my teeth and I have already had to get a couple of caps from breaking open some old fittings. This really stinks. Not to mention I am feeling really tired again and it feels like going back to a prison of perpetual exhaustion. Very depressed about all of this, to be expected with no sleep I guess.

[Dickman]

Sean,
I tried device for 3 months. I felt sore jaws and streached inside big time. Dental devices are not without side effects, good or bad; mainly bad.

[sleepgs]

just go to www.dentalsleepclinics.com and find a doctor in your area

[snork1]

there is a chance they just plain messed up your new device.

My old Tap Titanium was starting to show its age, especially after my dog got hold of it and chewed it a bit. (I am amazed it survived the dog at all)
So I went in for a new TAP III. I fiddled with it for a couple of months thinking I just needed to get it dialed in or get used to the new shape because I felt like I took a step back. I finally realized that the old one STILL worked just fine, and so pressured the sleep dentist to "try again" on the new one and not just dump it on his assistant this time around. (That had me upset that I was going in to see a certified sleep dentist and only saw his uncertified assistant for the new TAP). So he actually looked at it, compared it to the old one, I discussed where I thought it felt "wrong" and he had another one made. That made a HUGE difference and the new one works just fine again.

i.e. don't put up with bad results. Dental devices can be screwed up like everything else. A good dentist should stand behind his work.

I do find it odd that you are popping fillings and caps with a dental device. The device should be snug but shouldn't be capable of breaking teeth with their softer interior. I am wondering if there are other dental issues at work here, such as caps or fillings just wearing out with age or installation problems on their own. I am 57 years old and a lot of my "original" dental work is crumbling at this stage in life...with or without an appliance. My regular dentist has never thought the device caused the problems, its just old dental work. (and some poorly done dental work from many years ago).

Do make sure if you have new dental work done that you bring in your device to make sure the new profiles aren't causing unnecessary pressure points.

It would be good to have an updated sleep study to make sure this is the cause of your new tiredness. (probably a complete physical would be a good idea too?) Or at the very least invest in one of the new RECORDING puls ox devices that have plummeted in price in recent years, and you can at least check to make sure your blood oxygen levels are staying up or what impact adjustments ARE making on your O2.
I just picked up a CMS50-F for $230 it was a VERY good investment for me.
http://www.semedicalsupply.com/cms-50f.htm

Or its back to CPAP.....

[ishapira]

When you have symptoms of tiredness it is time to have a repeat sleep test. You may need to have additional advancement but there are other problems to be evaluated as well.

Remember the dentist is a part of a medical dental team and your sleep physician is the diagnostician.

Ira L Shapira DDS D,ABDSM
www.ihatecpap.com