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+--- Thread: Tongue position and apnea (/Thread-Tongue-position-and-apnea)
Tongue position and apnea - genes - 10-27-2012
Hello
A number of years ago my doctor examined me to see if he could determine what was causing my sleep apnea. He thought that the major cause of my airway obstruction was a narrowing of my airway behind my tongue. Based on this I had surgery to move my tongue forward so that I would have more airway area. I had hyoid advancement surgery and another procedure. The hyoid advancement surgery involved moving the bone that the tongue connects to forward and then reattaching it to the lower jaw. This bone is connected to the lower jaw so when I move my lower jaw forward I have more airway area behind my tongue and when I move it back I have less area. The surgery did not completely cure my apnea but I think it helped. I then tried a dental device and it seemed to help but I still needed cpap. A dental device helps with apnea by I assume moving and holding the jaw (and tongue) forward. For a number of years I wore a dental device then snorban device at the same time that I used cpap. This seems a little extreme but it worked for me. I am not recommending it to others. I am now in the process of getting some dental implants and do not think I will be able to wear the snorban device again. It seems like my chin strap is now pulling my jaw back some. A full face mask seems to do the same thing. Both of these things could reduce my airway area during sleep.
Does anybody know a good way to keep your jaw forward without a dental device while using cpap. My encore pro reports are ok now but I still would like to improve my treatment if I can.
GeneS
RE: Tongue position and apnea - PaulaO2 - 10-27-2012
Not sleeping on your back. Side sleeping or stomach sleeping would help keep the tongue forward.
A few folks have had success with jaw placement by using a sport mouth guard. It keeps the teeth lined up.
If your AHI is less than 5, that's where you need to be.
RE: Tongue position and apnea - Sleepster - 10-27-2012
Some chinstrap manufacturers claim that their designs will prevent the jaw from being pulled backward. The Respironics Premium Chinstrap is one. I have no experience with it, yet.
I wear a night guard to keep my teeth from grinding. I think this keeps my lower jaw from retracting. Everyone's anatomy is different so it's hard to say what will really work.
RE: Tongue position and apnea - genes - 10-27-2012
Thanks for the reply
The snorban device [commercial link removed by Admin - please see note below] is probably similar to a sport mouth guard or night guard but I can check it out. I was concerned that any pressure on the new posts from a mouth device could cause a problem. Maby I will change my mind after I get my new implants. I will check out the Respronics premium chinstrap.
GeneS
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