I recently received the Herbst Telescopic Appliance for my sleep apnea.  I think it's working, but it seems to be changing my bite.  My teeth are no longer occluding properly and my back teeth don't touch any more.  It also seems to be causing a flare-up of my upper right teeth and I can't tolerate cold liquids on that side anymore.  I was wondering if this was common and what I should do about it.  My general dentist just wanted to wait and see, but a friend, who's a prosthodondist, doesn't think I should wear it until my sleep dentist can adjust it.  Unfortunately, my dentist is on vacation for two weeks, so I have to make a decision on my own.

Is this common?  Any suggestions?

Thanks so much for any help.

PEM

I just got a dental device about a week ago they are called breath-ez in my neck of the woods. It was horrible the first couple of nights and seems to be getting better, each night. I think I read on here it takes a few weeks to get used to them. I have found that my bite is off for about the first 45 min everyday, but I have found that I am biting my bottom lip more this last week. I was having really bad tooth pain in my front teeth, but I think it is getting better, I guess it was just my teeth getting used to it.  having said all that, you may need yours adjusted.

when I got my TAP-T device I was given instructions along with a couple small rubber strips to use after I take the device out.  My dentist urged me to use them every morning or a change in bite can happen.

paulyofpa wrote:

when I got my TAP-T device I was given instructions along with a couple small rubber strips to use after I take the device out.  My dentist urged me to use them every morning or a change in bite can happen.

I've been using my TAP-T for about 8 weeks now. I use those small rubber strips every morning and it helps to correct my bit back to its normal position. When I first started using TAP I had some TMJ pain but it went away eventually.  I just had a sleep study last week and found out my TAP is effective in treating my sleep apnea so I'm now CPAP free!!!!

dcndcn wrote:

paulyofpa wrote:

when I got my TAP-T device I was given instructions along with a couple small rubber strips to use after I take the device out.  My dentist urged me to use them every morning or a change in bite can happen.

I've been using my TAP-T for about 8 weeks now. I use those small rubber strips every morning and it helps to correct my bit back to its normal position. When I first started using TAP I had some TMJ pain but it went away eventually.  I just had a sleep study last week and found out my TAP is effective in treating my sleep apnea so I'm now CPAP free!!!!

Congratulations on the device working for you.  I'm trying to gather info on how the success rate of devices relates to the severity of the person's OSA.  What degree of OSA did you have (mild, moderate, severe)?  Any chance you could post some sleep study numbers from your original study that showed you had OSA?  AHI, etc.

cowboy1964 wrote:

dcndcn wrote:

paulyofpa wrote:

when I got my TAP-T device I was given instructions along with a couple small rubber strips to use after I take the device out.  My dentist urged me to use them every morning or a change in bite can happen.

I've been using my TAP-T for about 8 weeks now. I use those small rubber strips every morning and it helps to correct my bit back to its normal position. When I first started using TAP I had some TMJ pain but it went away eventually.  I just had a sleep study last week and found out my TAP is effective in treating my sleep apnea so I'm now CPAP free!!!!

Congratulations on the device working for you.  I'm trying to gather info on how the success rate of devices relates to the severity of the person's OSA.  What degree of OSA did you have (mild, moderate, severe)?  Any chance you could post some sleep study numbers from your original study that showed you had OSA?  AHI, etc.

Thanks! I'm one of the lucky ones...I'm even sleeping better with this device, than when I was on CPAP. I see your in MI...UM has a wonderful clinic - called alternatives to CPAP. If you're anywhere around A2 and are familiar with UM, I'd highly recommend it...Anyway they told me I was mild....and , those numbers:

AHI:  17
 # of apneic episodes 88
Total sleep minutes 311
Apnea/hyponea index (AHI)  17

NREM AHI 11.5
REM AHI  41.8
AHI  6.6
(hypopneas w/4% dsat)
Baseline % Sa02  98
Min %  Sa02        94

Number of Events         NREM    REM
Obstructive Apnea           3          30
Mixed Apnea                   0           0
central apneas                 0           1
Hypopneas                      46        7
     Hypopneas                 -          -
 w/4% desats
Wake apneas                    1