SleepDent

Sounds like things are going according to plan. Keep up the good work! Dr. Luisi

I am a dentist working in dental sleep medicine. I can tell you what applies to oral sleep apnea appliances. I believe that the same would hold true for CPAP masks and machines. Sleeping when untreated is harmful to your health. Anytime that you feel that you might possibly fall asleep, you should be wearing your treatment. Dr. Luisi

Hi OrphanAnnie, I took another look at the CPAP-PRO and I have to agree that it seems to have limited range of adjustment. I don't actually use that one in my practice, but I mentioned it because it is very popular and readily available. I actually do use the other alternative that I mentioned in my practice. That is the Tap-Pap Nasal Pillow Mask. I can specifically tell you that It is much more adjustible and can be fitted into the nostrils better. I have been able to fit it onto every patient so far without problems. It can be found on line or at the Airway Management web site, www.tapintosleep.com. It could do the trick for you. Dr. Luisi

I am a dentist working in dental sleep medicine. Before considering surgery, it might make sense to consider an oral sleep apnea appliance. Now, I know that there is an old wives tale that oral appliances can not be used with severe sleep apnea, but in many cases that is just wrong. The TAP family of appliances is generally recognized as the most effective for severe sleep apnea. They will do a very good job for about 54% of the patients and at least a minimally acceptable job for about 70%, so there is a fairly good shot at it. I have actually done successful oral appliances for a fairly large number of severe sleep apnea patients. Dr. Luisi

Hi, I am a dentist working in dental sleep medicine. There is an attachment mechanism called the CPAP-PRO which can be ordered on line or gotten from some sleep doctors and another similar one called the TAP-PAP which again can be ordered on line or from a company called Airway Management. To use these you must have your own natural upper teeth in reasonably good shape. Each one has a heat-moldable upper tray which attaches to the upper teeth to hold the nasal pillows in place. This eliminates the strap. The most elegant solution, albeit, also the most expensive is called the TAP-PAP CS. This must be gotten from an experienced sleep dentist. It starts out with a TAP3 sleep apnea appliance. The appliance allows you to significantly lower your treatment pressure on the CPAP which is much more comfortable. The nasal pilliows attach to the appliance which holds them in place COMFORTABLY and rock solid. There are zero straps and ZERO leakage, no matter how much you move around at night. There is an intraoral seal available as an option for people who mouth breathe and get dry mouth. Absolutely no better solution on the planet right now. Again, always check with your health care professionals before trying any solutions discussed in this forum. Sincerely, Dr. Luisi

Actually, I think you are on to something here. Instead of depending on the oral appliance to do all the heavy lifting, you are hitting the problem from every conceivable angle to remove some of the pressure from the appliance. Thus the appliance ends up working better in the end and more emphasis can be put on comfort. I guess nothing spurs innovation like living the problem. Good job! Dr. Luisi

Dear IntuitiveSapphireZebra3375, Let me tell you, if you think that the ignorance and prejudice surrounding oral sleep apnea appliances is bad now, you should have seen how blisteringly bad it was 10-12 years ago when I first tried to introduce them into my area. The sleep doctors almost threw me out of their offices, but at least they did it with a smile. Things are much better now, but we have a long, long way to go before they get a fair shake. Dr. Luisi

Truly impressive. Dr. Luisi

Hi OrphanAnnie, I am a dentist working in dental sleep medicine. The diagnosis of hypertrophic inferior turbinates is very very common. This interferes significantly with air exchange through the nose and can absolutely contribute to causing OSA. Fortunately the fix by an ENT usually only takes about 10 minutes, is not traumatic and can help quite a bit. I send my patients in to have it done all the time. You should certainly discuss it with your health care professionals. a.b.luisi,d.m.d.

Let me formally introduce myself. I am Arthur B. Luisi, Jr., D.M.D.. I am relatively new to this forum, but was a heavy contributor to the forum before this, www.apneasupport.org. The rules about presenting information appear to be more liberal on this forum so you may read my bio at www.naplescenterdentalsleepmedicine.com, if you so desire.a.b.luisi,d.m.d.