SleepDent

I would agree that, logically, it would be either mouth leakage, mask displacement, or both. A possible fix is as follows. Ditch the mask with straps and use a more secure, stable system that attaches to your upper teeth. See: www.tapintosleep.com.. View the TapPap nasal pillow mask. You can order this yourself at CPAP.com and it is easy to install. For the mouth leakage, I have a modified version of the TapPap nasal pillow mask that comes with an intraoral mouth shield that seals the mouth from the inside. It is very soft and gentle and would not harm your tmjs. This is not yet in volume production, but you can get one from me at www.naplescenterdentalsleepmedicine.com. Arthur B. Luisi, Jr., D.M.D.

Checked it out. Not the same thing I am talking about. See-- www.tapintosleep.com. Products: MyTapPap Nasal Pillow Mask, TapPapCS.

I have a similar post on another thread, but it is so important that it bears repeating.There is a basic reason that people have so many leakage and comfort problems with conventional CPAP masks. The word is SKIN. Your facial skin is soft, sensitive, and easily deformed. It is an ABSOLUTELY LOUSY surface on which to make a seal against the air pressure from CPAP. In order to get the seal, the straps have to be SO TIGHT that people can't stand it. And you expect people to be happy with it? The whole concept is a loser and the CPAP mask manufacturers have to face the music. The future is in tooth borne CPAP interfaces. The support comes from your bones, not from your skin. Now you have a solid immovable foundation. The mask doesn't squish all over the place when you move around and cause leaks. And now your nasal pillows seal very well with the LIGHTEST pressure against the skin. Really comfortable. End of problem. It is SO easy. In all fairness, the present tooth borne interfaces only work well for people with reasonable nasal patency(open nasal passages) or who can achieve reasonable nasal patency after treatment. However, I am already thinking about how to accomodate people who must mouth breathe. Give me some time. Arthur B. Luisi, Jr.,D.M.D., The Naples Center For Dental Sleep Medicine.

Your comment illustrates an important point. Much of the difficulty that people have with their CPAP masks stems from the fact the the straps have to be so tight to seal that they cause irritation on other parts of the mask. Airway Management makes a product called the Tap Pap Nasal Pillow Mask. It attaches to the upper teeth and there are no straps. The solid foundation results in no leakage from the pillows and the pillows seal well while still only pressing very lightly against the nose. Much more comfortable and no irritation. Arthur B. Luisi, Jr., D.M.D.

I would not be concerned about how hard it is to fit because it is basically similar to the CPAP Pro and the MyTapPap that have been purchased by many thousands of people on sites like CPAP.com. and successfully used. However, let me make this clear, if you like the product, I need your support right now. It is my job to demonstrate demand for the product before it is considered for regular production. If I can't do that, no matter how much merit it has(and it does), it won't happen. So don't lay back waiting for further development. Without your support, there will be none and you will never have the chance to own one. Arthur b. Luisi, Jr., D.M.D.

Perhaps a description of the device would be helpful. The entire mask is made out of F.D.A. cleared parts and materials. The parts come from various products made by Airway Management in Dallas, Texas. They are just put together in a novel way. The basic framework is the MyTapPap product which has been out for some time. It is a strapless nasal pillow mask that attaches to the upper teeth via an upper tray. The innovation is that I have attached a soft intraoral mouth shield(from the MyTap sleep apnea appliance) ahead of the upper tray. This seals the mouth from the inside against leakage completely, thus creating a strapless full face mask. All parts are joined with F.D.A. cleared materials. I have tested the concept successfully for five years. This is not an official Airway Management product at this time and would be classified as an investigational product. The guarantee that I give is that, if the product can not be made to work in your mouth, there is no charge. Arthur B. Luisi, Jr., D.M.D.

For a description of the problem, please view my previous post, "Help Is On The Way For People with Leaking CPAP Masks--SleepDent." The "Comfort Plus" system is now available for delivery to the general public. I can text pictures of the system to people's cell phones. We generally install it in office, but can ship them and most people are handy enough to place their own. Contact me at www.naplescenterdentalsleepmedicine.com. Arthur B. Luisi, Jr., D.M.D.

I am a dentist working in dental sleep medicine. I fully understand your problems. The basic problem with conventional CPAP masks, especially at the higher pressures, is that they are depending on the facial skin to form a seal and skin is moveable and deformable. Hence the leaks. I have been working on a new approach that I call the "Comfort Plus" system. The full face mask consists of a nasal pillow mask that attaches directly to the upper teeth for stability. There are no straps. The mouth leakage is prevented by a patented intraoral mouth shield that seals the mouth from the inside. There is no leakage. The system is now ready for delivery to the general public. I can text pictures of the system to people's cell phones. Contact me at www.naplescenterdentalsleepmedicine.com. Arthur B. Luisi, Jr.,D.M.D.

I am a dentist working in dental sleep medicine. Yes, CPAP is effective in treating mild obstructive sleep apnea. The problem is that the compliance rate for users with mild obstructive sleep apnea is down compared to users with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. Typically, the mild patients are less symptomatic that moderate to severe ones and are thus less motivated to put up with the problems of using CPAP long term. Oral sleep apnea appliances are quite effective for patients with mild OSA and would be a good option for them because it is more patient friendly. Arthur B. Luisi, Jr., D.M.D.. The Naples Center For Dental Sleep Medicine.

I am a dentist working in dental sleep medicine. At this very moment, I am in the process of developing TAPPAP nasal pillows with an intraoral mouth shield for Airway Management. This seals the mouth from the inside and prevents mouth leakage. I actually have about five products that could help you with your problem. My contact information can be found at www.naplescenterdentalsleepmedicine.com. Solving this problem is a piece of cake with our new line of products. Arthur B. Luisi, Jr,, D.M.D.