I have sleep apnea and have pretty good success using a CPAP machine. My sleep doctor doesn't think my teeth and my apnea are related. Most of my orthodontic work has been to close gaps not expand and make room for anything. And I'm not having much done to change my bite.
I have had my CPAP setting lowered since getting braces but I think it was too high in the first place. My first year using CPAP was not the most successful until I changed doctors and he did more extensive tests, lowered my settings and changed my mask. Since then, I have had much more success. But some nights are better than others and I still rip the mask off after a few hours sometimes.
The lazor surgery for the soft palate is expensive and has not proven to have good results at all. It usually works for awhile then the palate returns to its previous state, it can actually sometimes make it worse.
I have read this too. I read that CPAP is 80% successful before lazer surgery, but only 50% after...so that would be something for me to consider should my doctor ever recommend that surgery.
When I first got my braces I thought my mask might press on my cheeks and make the braces more uncomfortable, but I haven't had that problem. Sometimes it feels like I will never get ready for bed by the time I clean my teeth, put on my elastics, put on my CPAP mask, put on my wrist splints for carpal tunnel. My foot doctor wants me to wear splints, but I told him there is just no way I can add to what I wear to bed. I'm just so glad there is no headgear in my future.
We do have the quietest house on the block at night now because my husband and I both use CPAP....no snoring at our house!
Wired on Sep 16, 2005, left canine exposed on Oct 5, 2005, at 52 years old.
