Question:
Anyone used a dental device for sleep apnea related problems?

I have been having trouble with my teeth grinding and my bottom teeth putting extreme pressure on my top teeth that it feels like my bottom teeth are trying to push my top teeth out of my mouth. This started when I was put on BiPAP at 22/18 pressures. When I saw the pulmonologist 2 weeks later he lowered the pressures to 17/14 because that would be less extreme and it still got rid of the nasty apneas and kept me safe. This helped some with the teeth. <p>Since surgery I was off it for a month at the request of my surgeon. Since 4 weeks PO I have tried 4 times to get back on the machine with no luck. The first 3 times the pressures were too high and caused severe rib/muscle pain that I could not handle it - just like about 3 days post op. Finally the pressures were down to 10/7 and while I could tolerate this the problem is that I am more refreshed and awake all day when I sleep without the machine. However, when I sleep without it the teeth pressure and pain is incredible. At the 10/7 setting the teeth pressure wasn't improved (not gone though) but I was way more tired all day. My pulmonologist told me to stop using the machine and he will retest me in June when I have lost more weight. He also told me to see my dentist about a mouth device to protect my teeth. I saw the dentist today and I have quite extensive damage in just this short time. That would explain the severe pain everytime I wake up, even if it's a short nap. I have to get a Occlusal Guard for $525. I will get it because I do not want to ruin my teeth, but not sure if insurance is going to cover it. Time will tell. <p>While this is not a true sleep apnea dental device that holds my tongue down and forward, because obviously I am doing that anyway and don't need that kind, it will allow my lower jaw to move forwards if it wants without damaging my teeth any further. What seems really strange to me is that in the short time I used my BiPAP before surgery (3-1/2 weeks) somehow my body learned that my jaw needed to be forward to open up the airway and now I do it automatically when sleeping. My mouth breathing days are totally gone, based on how my teeth hurt and because I never wake up with a dry mouth anymore. This total change is just since surgery - 9-1/2 weeks. Within a week or so after surgery I noticed I was not sleeping with my mouth open anymore. It just seems impossible that all of these things could be changing this fast. I guess it's really amazing what taking off just a little bit of weight does, as this was happening already at just 15-20 lbs lost. Pretty amazing stuff this surgery! <p>If anyone has any input on dental devices or input in general I would appreciate it. Thanks, Chris    — zoedogcbr (posted on April 11, 2003)

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