Hi all,

I've been using my Somnodent for about five months now.  During the five months, I have been back and fourth to my dentist at least 10 times for adjustments as I was experiencing some tooth and jaw discomfort. The reason for the discomfort is due to the fact that the dentist (he finally admitted) "may" have misaligned the mold.  After many adjustments, I believe the device now fits well enough and I have been adjusting it forward as needed.  Although the device has improved my symptoms, I'm still waking up feeling as if I haven't slept at all.  I purchased a pulse oximeter and each test shows 0 SP02 events (records 4% desats, minimum of 4 seconds); basal is 97, average low 94.  My pulse shows, on average, 4 events per night (average 50; minimum 38; maximum around 60).  Video recordings while asleep do not reveal chocking, gasping or snoring.


I'm wondering if the Somnodent has improved my "relatively mild" apnea but only to the point where I'm now experiencing UARS?

Is it possible to advance the device too far?  Over the past couple weeks, I've been adjusting the device one turn each night but lately it seems as if my symptoms become worse as I adjust.

Dreams; before using the dental device, I didn't seem to remember dreaming much.  Now that I've been using the device, I seem to remember some of my dreams.  Does this mean I'm experiencing more REM sleep which should be a good sign?  Or does it mean I'm waking up more often which wouldn't be so good.

I'm flying to NY on 6/26 to see Dr. Steven Park and I have another sleep study scheduled for mid-July so hopefully I may have some answers.

big2007sky wrote:

Hi all,

I'm wondering if the Somnodent has improved my "relatively mild" apnea but only to the point where I'm now experiencing UARS?

Is it possible to advance the device too far?  Over the past couple weeks, I've been adjusting the device one turn each night but lately it seems as if my symptoms become worse as I adjust.

I was told in the past that yes you could advance too far.  The airway is narrowed - or flattened in one direction.  As you advance the oral device it gradually opens the airway.  However, apparently if you advance too far the airway starts to close again in the other direction.  Say it was narrowed horizontally to start with and you advance too far, it then becomes narrowed vertically.  Hopefully, this makes sense

Limey