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tobysadog
+0 points
·
about 6 years
ago
Original Poster
I just got the Adjustable Herbst Appliance featuring the Oasys Hinge (for apnea). It was not at all like the dentist showed me the prototype of. Very hard plastic. But the worst part is that I cannot close my lips at all. My mouth is propped open with my tongue in the middle. There is posterior contact but absolutely no anterior contact. No way to keep saliva in at all and since I can't even come close to closing my mouth, I can't keep my lower jaw in line when I lay on my side. I can't find any pictures of anyone with the appliance in. Is this how it is supposed to be?
wiredgeorge
+1 point
·
about 6 years
ago
Sleep
Enthusiast
If your appliance is intended to treat apnea, your mouth will not be open. Time to get on the dentist's case a bit! Is this dentist a sleep specialist? You mouth open, you will just be breathing through your mouth and there is no way to control OSA. We do have a couple sleep dentists who visit and hopefully one of them will pop in and give you some better suggestions. Good luck.
Yeah something is not fitting correct. It may be that the appliance is too tight on your teeth so it is not sitting all the way down. Just needs to be opened up a bit. Or it may simply bee too thick. Thats harder to adjust in the office. May need to send it back to lab. Or it may be too far forward for your muscles to handle. Treating sleep apnea with a dental appliance IS MUSCLE THERAPY as well as sleep apnea therapy. Three options here. Back the appliance all the way back and start again. This is the simplest option. Make sure the appliances fits first. It it does not fit it wont work. Second option is have the dentist take a new bite record in a more comfortable position and have the appliance remade. Third option is to see a massage therapist or physical therapist, or chiropractor to "loosen up" you jaw muscles. This is best option over all but does make for extra appoints. We have an in house massage therapist but not many dental offices do. Hope this helps.
Dr Tony
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