For several years my husband has used the apnea equipment with breathing machine, hose and face mask. It has been a miracle device. For him especially and for me as it quieted his snoring. Now he is seriously considering to try some kind of mouth device that juts his jaw forward to enable him to breath normally. No machine just a mouth piece. Here's the kicker. It is supposed to cost $10,000 dollars!!!!! The doctor is accepting a smaller amount of about $6000 and we pay a percentage that will amount to about $800. Does anyone know about this type of treatment? I am stunned by the amount of the cost and honestly have just started to research this. My husband can be somewhat secretive about some things. Especially when they involve this much money. If it works, awesome. I just don't see why this device should cost so much. Please, please if anyone has had any experience with this treatment I would appreciate any information and reassurance. Sincerely, Natty
I am a dentist working in dental sleep medicine. Oral appliances are a very popular alternative to PAP machine therapy. Many hundreds of thousands of OSA patients in the U.S.A. are using oral appliances successfully. The prices that you quoted are well above the norm that competent sleep dentists in the U.S.A. are charging. I would say that pricing for a total treatment package including a quality appliance would more normally be in the $2,000-$3,000 range. I would always suggest that any patient contemplating oral appliance therapy initially seek several consultations with dental sleep medicine specialists. There is a "find-a-dentist" feature on this web site that would put you in contact with members of the AADSM association of sleep dentists in your area. Recommendations from sleep physicians in your local sleep disorders center can also be helpful. Remember, I have not examined the patient. This generic information is intended to suggest topics of conversation between you and your health care providers and is not intended as a substitute for professional care. a.b.luisi.d.m.d.
That is definitely a rip off. I stopped using CPAP b/c I thought it contributed to my getting pneumonia, but I was shocked at the price of these dental appliances. I think that dentists have some special deal w/ medical reimbursement companies. I finally got one on the internet for $20 -- admittedly not the best, but my dentist said it did what it was supposed to do andd it has been better than my machine, which never really helped. I'm searching for a more high quality mouthpiece, but they are apparently useful for many people. So please DO NOT pay that ridiculous amount of money. After all, it's only a molded piece of plastic. Good luck.
When I got an oral device, the price was for the complete treatment package -- that included evaluation by my dentist of my oral structure and any potential problems with shifting teeth and to see if I needed dental work first. She took impressions of my teeth so the manufacturerer could make the custom fitted appliance, and she provided follow-up consultation and all the adjustments needed to properly tension the devie as I became gradually adjusted to the pulling pressure. The device I used was definitely more technically advanced than a "boil and bite" generic mouthpiece as it had built-up spacers to hold my back molars open and had a set of increasingly firmer & shorter elastic bands (Not rubber bands) that incrementally move the lower jaw out to the needed therapeutic position to trear the apnea. I learned that not all oral devices or mouthpieces are certified as apnea treatments. Many can only be advertised as snoring preventatives. I was disappointed when I had to stop using my oral device after about a year because of morning ligament pain & TMJ problems it aggravated.
Good advice...there are several different types of dental devices and some dentists specialize in one or maybe two. It's a good idea to check recommendations of several sleep trained dentists and as suggested, also see who your sleep doctors might recommend. Remember too, dental devices are not recommended for moderately severe to severe apnea. It takes some research like you are doing. Hopefully this network will help provide answers and protocols to make it easier to match the right dentist and device to patients.
I am a dentist working in dental sleep medicine. Quote from American Academy of Sleep Medicine practice parameters for OAs issued in 2005, Para.3.3.3.:,
"Although not as efficacious as CPAP, oral appliances are indicated for use in patients with mild to moderate OSA who prefer OAs to CPAP, or who do not respond to CPAP, are not appropriate candidates for CPAP, or who fail treatment attempts for CPAP, or treatment with behavioral measures such as weight loss or sleep-position therapy."
a.b.luisi,d.m.d.
Quote from American Academy of Sleep Medicine practice parameters for use of OAs issued in 2005, Para. 3.3.4.:
"Patients with severe OSA should have an initial trial of CPAP because greater effectiveness has been shown with this intervention than with use of oral appliances."
Please note that oral appliances are allowed to be tried for severe OSA, but only if CPAP and certain surgeries have been ruled out. OAs can work well for a minority of patients with severe OSA. a.b.luisi.d.m.d.
If you are considering getting an oral devise for apnea/snoring, you may want to have the dentist carefully evaluate you for any problems with loose/shifting teeth or TMJ joint problems, as these devises put a lot of pressure on teeth & lower jaw. I used an Myerson EMA device ($600.00 through my dentist in S. Dak.), for a year, but was not able to get it adjusted to the needed jaw extension to fully treat the apnea because of severe morning jaw pain, and also my previously undiagnosed TMJ problem, for which I had to have my chiropractor do frequent adjustments. Checking out forums about dental devices can give you a realistic idea of the pros & cons of treatment & the various styles available-- before you pay out the $$.
Does anyone know of a reputable company that sells these devices on the internet? My first dentist told me the device was several thousand dollars and that I had to have all my dental work done first. That would take years! Out of frustration, I ordered a plastic one on the internet for $20 and it actually does the trick. My dentist said it was fine tho not the greatest quality. So I'm looking for something better but I do not want to spend hours at the dentist or pay thousands of dollars. After all, this is only a piece of molded plastic. I'd greatly appreciate any suggestions of devices that others have had success with. Thank you!
