Full upper dentures and sleep apnea

by Susan E.
(St Petersburg Fl)

Does removing full upper dentures at bedtime cause the tongue to close off the throat, thus causing sleep apnea? I was diagnosed with in a year after having full upper dentures. Even with a c-pap with a humidifier, I wake up often with my tongue stuck to the roof and back of my mouth.My mouth is very dry, and I need to have frequent sips of water thru a straw in a glass of water on the night stand during the night.

Answer

Susan, there are people with full upper dentures but without breathing problems. Your airway is obstructed because your tongue is laying in your upper mouth when you sleep. Your tongue may be too big, or you can have a high arched palate and a narrow jaw.

Have you opened up and said ahhhhhhhhh while looking in a mirror? Stick your tongue out too, makes it much easier to see tooth marks - they are often subtle unless you know what you are looking for!

While looking in the mirror with your mouth open check to see how large and/or long your uvula is.

Other hints may be that you have a recessed lower jaw or narrow jaw?

Go look...What do YOU see?

This all goes to anatomy being a factor in OSA and choosing the right treatment for OSA. CPAP still remains the less invasive treatment for OSA with a dental splint if it works for very mild sleep apnea. It is amazing how many treatments are being created for OSA again proving this is not a simple condition that can be debated on one cause.

I don't know if you can use a dental appliance during the night. But if you can, I recommend:

• A solution can be the TAP (Thornton Adjustable Positioner) appliance, which moves your lower jaw forward. The tongue is connected to the lower jaw at the genial tubercle. When you move the jaw the tongue comes forward as well.





• There are also TRD's or tongue retaining devices, which holds the tongue forward.



• You might want to TRY a Somnoguard AP device which can be bought without a script and for MUCH less than most dental devices. They are bulkier and not as comfortable as a custom device but might let you know if there is a chance a dental device will work and you can use it as a spare if you move up to a custom device such as a TAP.

According to sleep dentists, MEDICAL coverage is starting to get better at covering dental devices as a first plan of attack on sleep apnea. Its certainly cheaper than CPAP in the long run for the insurance companies and compliance is better, so its about time they start figuring out they need to encourage people TRYING this first.

You need to go through a certified sleep dentist to get the expertise with the device and with the insurance companies.

Also, shop around. Prices vary wildly even among certified dentists.

Part of the problem you face if you try cheaper routes on your own is figuring out "effectivity". Buying one of the new cheap RECORDING pulse oximeter can really help you dial in whatever approach you use (even CPAP!), combined with just paying attention to your amount of dreaming and how you feel each day.

I hope it helps!

Some more interesting pages for you to check out:

• Coughing and phlegm from CPAP machine?
  
  
• Wake 2-3 times a night with dry mouth
  
  
• Much Higher Readings for Hypopneas on my CPAP machine
  

Remy
www.sleep-apnea-guide.com

Please remember...what is posted on these forums are our experiences, thoughts and opinions...it is not always 100% accurate.