I assume oral devices generally work better with milder UARS or OSA rather than more severe cases, correct?  Is there any kind of study or general guidelines related to this question?

I've only been on cpap for about a month, but just to cover all my basis, I'm going to a dentist on 3/29 who specializes in creating oral devices for sleep apnea patients.  On the phone, the receptiontist told me that the devices do not work for severa apnea.  She said this after finding out mine is in the low part of the moderate range (RDI: 19).  (Cpap is working fine at getting rid of most of my apneas, but I still feel miserable at this point.)
  
I would also like to know if there is any way to find out what chances a person has of this device working for them before getting it.  These things arent cheap and with my insurance paying all of my cpap-related expenses and not this, it's hard to make that leap and try it.

I have a couple of thousand treated patients and they are very effective, but not for everyone.  The people with inexes under 50 are easier as are patients that are less obese.  I have almost 100% success with patients under 250 pounds and avoid patients over 300 but that does very with size.  6foot six 300lbs would be easier than 5 foot two 250lbs. The BMI  is based on ht/wt %.  I reently treated a patient at close to 450 pounds that could not use cpap due to cornea transplants and the mask leaks dried his eys and would cause blindness.  Not an ideal patient but good results (not great) from oral appliance.  We will do combination therapy using appliance and cpap to lower his cpap pressure from 24 cm pressure to 6-8 cm  until he loses weight.you can go to my web site ihatecpap.com or quietsleep.com for more info

Ira

I go to the orthodonist on July 30 2007 to get evaluated for Oral appliance. I am looking forward to this. Anything

ilshapira wrote:

I have a couple of thousand treated patients and they are very effective, but not for everyone.  The people with inexes under 50 are easier as are patients that are less obese.  I have almost 100% success with patients under 250 pounds and avoid patients over 300 but that does very with size.  6foot six 300lbs would be easier than 5 foot two 250lbs. The BMI  is based on ht/wt %.  I reently treated a patient at close to 450 pounds that could not use cpap due to cornea transplants and the mask leaks dried his eys and would cause blindness.  Not an ideal patient but good results (not great) from oral appliance.  We will do combination therapy using appliance and cpap to lower his cpap pressure from 24 cm pressure to 6-8 cm  until he loses weight.you can go to my web site ihatecpap.com or quietsleep.com for more info

Ira

Is there a dentist or appliance specialist in the S.E. Florida (Boca Raton [West Palm Beach to Ft. Lauderdale]) area you would recommend to fit me?

5'7" 175 lbs CPAP at 11 or 14 (I forgot) and REALLY would like to try a device but not sure which one or who is the BEST person to go to.

Thank you!!!

BuzzCap7