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Cpap mask advice mouth opens at night but can't put any pressure on jaw

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HumorousOliveChinchilla2774 +0 points · over 7 years ago Original Poster

I have not been able to find a good solution. Since I have an open bite and jaw joint damage, there is no way I can wear a chin strap or use a mask that pushes back against my jaw. My mouth won't stay closed at night so I can't use the masks that work through the nose. Are there other options?

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PatientVioletBear0961 +0 points · over 7 years ago

Another option is Chin-Up Strips:

http://www.chinupstrip.com/

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PatientVioletBear0961 +0 points · over 7 years ago

Or you could try training your tongue to stay sealed against the roof of your mouth while you sleep, so that no air from the CPAP can get into your mouth. (A myofunctional therapist can help with this tongue training process. Just make sure the therapist knows that you have jaw joint problems and is super careful with your joints.)

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PatientVioletBear0961 +0 points · over 7 years ago

Or you could try wearing a foam cervical collar around your neck to support your chin. Maybe this would be more comfortable for you than a chin strap.

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DanM +0 points · over 7 years ago Sleep Enthusiast Support Team

Hi @HumorousOliveChinchilla2774. Some patients who can use an oral only mask have found success with a mask from Fisher & Paykel called the Oracle. I have never worn the mask, but I have worked with patients who have used this mask. There is a small piece that fits inside the mouth, so I think less pressure pushing on the jaw and/or chin is required to keep the mask in place. You can do a quick search on the internet to find more information. Hope this helps!

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barbz +0 points · over 7 years ago

There is the inner mouth piece and the outer one. They are a long horizontal oval. The inner section screws into the outer piece and you can control the tightness.

There is also a neck brace. I used the neck brace as it let me wear the mask with a looser tension between inner and outer flaps. I know one person who does not need the neck brace at all.

I found that I needed an external heat/humidifier unit (FP-HC 150) to ease the dryness of my mouth. Biotene has an oral gel one can use also.

It comes with nose plugs to help you not breathe through your nose. After a while I did not need to use them, thankfully.

I did wear a chin strap at one time, used a soft cervical collar and also made a mini jaw support that went from one side strap, under my chin, to the other side strap. I made it from several of those Velcro computer strips to keep cords together.

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