hello,
I am new here.  I don't have sleep apnea, but UARS.  I plan on getting a dental device and would appreciate some help on learning what to look for and what kind you recommend, and why.
  Thank you for your help

Sleepybon

Assuming that what is needed in your case it to move the tongue forward allowing passage of air, the oral appliances do help.  I have not yet been able to fall asleep with the CPAP after 9 months of trying so was fitted with an appliance instead. I have been wearing one for 6 months and my sleep study showed an improvement in my O2 levels.  There are 4 problems, as I see it, with them:
 #1- they may possibly cause TMJ pain
  #2- your bite more than likely will be affected- my molars no longer touch and I have a hard time chewing-but that is the price thet I am willing to pay
#3- they are uncomfortable putting pressure on the front teeth and many nights I have a hard time falling asleep with the discomfort

#4- depending on where you live, finding a dentist/orthodontist who carries the name brand appliances.  There are only three professionals in the Orlando who even work with the appliance. My dentist is part of the Florida Sleep Group and he fabricates a "homemade" device.  The other two offer KlearWay and SomnoMed.  None carries the other patented appliances.  I am looking for a better appliance that will be more comfortable and I paid $300 to a second dentist who told me that I would not like the somnoMed because it is very bulky. The only other device offered locally is the KlearWay and  from reviews, I learn that the KlearWay breaks easily.  I contacted a dentist a little farther out and he would have to work with me for months fabricating a device in his lab that may not impinge on my bite or TMJ.  Whether or not this would work or be more comfortable I wouldn't know until I've spent yet another large amount of money.  There is no way to "try out" different appliances to see what is most comfortable for you.  The only concern seems to be the results of sleep study.  But just like the CPAP, nothing will work if it is too uncomfortable to sleep with.  
I would suggest that you go to the site for the TAP (Thornton Adjustable Positioner), Oasys, KlearWay, SomnoMed, Silencer Professional, SilentNite and see if any are carried by a dentist near you.   Good luck and keep smiling.


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Don't hurry, don't worry- enjoy the trip.

I work for Glidewell dental lab.We have the license to fabricate the TAP and Silentnight appliances.  The Silentnight is strickly and anti-snoring device It is not for people with Apnea! While the Tap is. All the devices mentioned in you posts are auto repositioning devices to protrude the lower jaw and open up the airway. A sore TMJ is one of the side effects, but a message should remove any soreness in the morning.  Their use shouldn't change your jaw relationship. If that was the case, just sleeping on your side with your head on the pillow would skew your JR to the lateral position.  
Their maybe other forces working here.  When I first went on CPAP 17 yrs ago I noticed my teeth getting wear faceuts from grinding so I started wearing a lower nightguard.  I had developed and clenching habit forsome reason, that had nothing to do with CPAP.
While the oral appliances do work, If you have a high pressure setting you'll really have to protrud the lower jaw to keep the airway passage open.  Beyond the point were you can tolerate it. Sounds like the Dr who make his own custom devices, my be your best shoot at success.  Best of luck and let us know how it goes.

Can you confirm that the Silent-Nite is NOT for people with apnea?
    My dentist claims it is and I would like to know the truth.Thanks!

442 Olds;   When we first started making the Silent night appliances we were required by the inventer of the appliance to submitt questionaires to the Dr for the pt to fill out. This was for an informal study. One of the questions concerned OSA. If their was a hint that the pt had apena, we finformed the Dr that this appliance wasn't recommend and suggested the pt be refered to a Sleep specialist.  Remember this was strictly an informal survey.
   The device repositions the lower jaw. It is adjustable by the Dr chairside to get a comfortable and workable position for you.
He is a link to our company web site; http://www.glidewell-lab.com/products/removables/silentnite.html This is a pt brochure you can down load. I reviewed it an noware does it mention that its for apena suffers.  
   This link; http://www.glidewell-lab.com/products/products_by_category.html show some of our products. If you look in the remvable section you'll see the Silent Night, TAP and splints. The TAP is recommended for Apena patients.
  I will check with the manager of the devision that fabricates this device and get back to you Tues.  Maybe the Silent Night is now OK for apena. It has gone through many modifications since it's inception.

Ok I check with the production manager of the Dept that fabricates these appliance.
I stand corrected. Yes they can be used for OSA if it isn't to sever. I has the ability to reposition your lower jaw into a protrucive position.  But since these aren't approved by the FDA for apena patients we can't market them as such.  Where as the Tap is for apena pts. So your dentist is Ok in prescribing the appliance for you, and he will have the ability to customize the position chairside with you.

The TAP III is slated to come out in January but we haven't had confirmed yet by the company. So it could be later.         The one big advantage is that  while the appliance pulls the lower jaw into protrucive position, this new one will also allow you to open the VDO so,  which could open the airway up  some without having to go an extreme protrucive position.

I am having trouble finding a dentist or orthodotist that is in network.  My dentist is trying to sell the snore guard, when I probably need something like what my ortho had me wear in gradeschool.  I might still have it.  It was hot pink and it glowed in the dark.  The important thing was that it pushed my bottom jaw forward first with a permanent attached retainer, and than with a removable one, then I wore braces.  Maybe this process may need revisited.  

I had a frackle in gradeschool, do you make those?

Clary I want the TAP III what does it stand for and what does VDO stand for?  Give me lots more information, does it need to be made and adjusted.  TEll all!

The Frankel appliance is an positioner applaince used to teach the muscles to move the lower jaw forward, by applying forces against the buccal vestivales. While at the same time moving the upper teeth back.
This is a very specialized appliance. An Orthodontis and an Orthodontic Dental Lab would work together to make this appliance.  
The TAP appliance is strictly and auto repositioner appliance for OSA, it works by moving the lower jaw forward, via an jack screw built into the anterior upper splint. By moving the lower jaw into a protrucive position it opens up the airway.
VDO is an term for the opened vertical of the upper and lower arch.  When your at rest your teeth don't quite touch. This is centric position. When you close down and touch place your teeth into contact, this is  closed centric.
Yes, the TAP needs to be prescribed and fited by a Dentist.  The appliance is made under an RX from the Dentist.  He will help the pt adjust it to provide maximun protrucive position.  
The TAP is made under licence from Airway Management Company.  It stands for Thornton Adjustable Positioner.
Here is an link to our company web site:      http://www.glidewell-lab.com/products/removables/tap.html
The menu at the right allows you to open an info page that will give you some additional info.
The TAP is a durable applaince that will last.  From what we understand the TAP  III is coming out after the first of the year, but at what date, hasn't been established yet. It will not only move the lower jaw into an protrucive position, it will also allow the vertical to be opened as well.
I hope this helps you?