Could overbite make apnea worse?

I was wondering about this...I have an overbite and was wondering if it is contributing to my sleep apnea? I bet it is, actually, because when I push forward my bottom jaw so that it lines up with my top teeth I can feel the airway opening up more.

Has anyone else dealt with this? Can orthodontics help?

Thanks!

It's a very common anatomical reason for apnea (one more that's not about weight), but while some people may have been happy with surgery, many others have been disappointed and some developed TMJ problems... hope you get more useful answers from others though.

Orthodontics is less problematic with children than adults, due to ongoing skeletal development in kids and teens.
Just because you notice a clearer airway when you jut your lower jaw forward does not mean it is the ONLY reason for your apnea.
A specialist might be able to tell--as long as there is no reason to fudge "for the bucks".
Not all orthodontists know how to do it correctly, and can you really trust their "reviews"?
It might be possible--or a nightmare. You will need to do a lot of research.
Others here may have the names of people to recommend or sites to visit in your quest.

Starpilot wrote:I was wondering about this...I have an overbite and was wondering if it is contributing to my sleep apnea? I bet it is, actually, because when I push forward my bottom jaw so that it lines up with my top teeth I can feel the airway opening up more.

Has anyone else dealt with this? Can orthodontics help?

Thanks!

http://www.resmed.com/us/en/healthcare- ... ental.html

and

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=c ... t%20device

Wow, this product looks really enticing:

https://www.snorerx.com

Anyone have experience with it?

Just because snoring is cured, doesn't mean apnea is... not by a long shot.

I tried something very like that, if not the exact thing before I got cpap... I think it helped... though I don't know for sure, it would probably help keep your jaw forward and help open up your airway. I doubt it'll solve the problem, but it may very well make your apnea less severe.

I was thinking about using it in addition to the machine, not in place of it. Has anyone tried that?

Starpilot wrote:I was thinking about using it in addition to the machine, not in place of it. Has anyone tried that?

that's what I meant, if you used it at the same time to keep your jaw more forward, it'd likely make things better for your throat, and your apnea

We are spending a fortune on my daughter's orthodontia because her lower jaw was small and receded, and YES, orthodontia works. But of course it's easier on a still- growing kid. I have the same genetic issues and her orthodontist feels like he can help me as well, but there's no money for that.

You must look carefully for a good orthodontist. Ask dentists in town who their kids go to. And run. Don't walk, away from anyone who suggests pulling teeth "to make more room". That's a sign they don't know what they are doing.

Treatment should focus on widening the arches and bringing the lower jaw forward, NOT pushing top teeth back. See http://www.1800dentist.com/treating-overbites/

Starpilot wrote:I was wondering about this...I have an overbite and was wondering if it is contributing to my sleep apnea? I bet it is, actually, because when I push forward my bottom jaw so that it lines up with my top teeth I can feel the airway opening up more.

Has anyone else dealt with this? Can orthodontics help?

Thanks!

I have the same problem as you. I've just interviewed my third dentist for an Alf appliance, which "molds" the jaws forward and laterally. I'm also going to use it in conjunction with The Crane, which is an alternative to reverse pull headgear, to advance the maxilla. Then I'm going to get Damon braces to open up the bicuspid extraction site and insert an implant. How long did it take me to figure all this out? FOREVER!! (it seems)

I've just interviewed my third dentist for an Alf appliance, which "molds" the jaws forward and laterally. I'm also going to use it in conjunction with The Crane, which is an alternative to reverse pull headgear, to advance the maxilla. Then I'm going to get Damon braces to open up the bicuspid extraction site and insert an implant.

That is super! Would you mind sharing what your current age is?

I'd like to see what your results with the Crane are. From their website (looked at it before) it removes pressure from the other parts of the face somewhat isolating the pull they want to achieve (for those that don't want to google). Basically a neck brace with a place for elastics to attach and provide forward pull to your upper jaw; without pushing your lower jaw back. I'm not sure I'd be compliant with that; not only from the xPAP perspective but wearing it for the recommended time per day.

I've mentioned this before; I'm currently in braces (again) to fix what the first round of orthodontic treatment set me up for later in life (now.) Bad bite, TMJD, OSA, shifting teeth, bruxism.....

I had overjet and overbite. The ortho recommended extractions of the upper bicuspids (iirc) and pull the remaining front 6 teeth back to meet the bottom teeth using head gear. I don't think they were really looking long term for their treatment options and just doing the fix they could at the time. Orthodontics have changed a lot the last 15-20 years. I think that limited the growth of my lower jaw; it definitely didn't help. Probable double jaw surgery next year to really fix things. I know the risks of the surgery; and for me it's worth the risk to really fix my issues.

Christine L wrote:

I've just interviewed my third dentist for an Alf appliance, which "molds" the jaws forward and laterally. I'm also going to use it in conjunction with The Crane, which is an alternative to reverse pull headgear, to advance the maxilla. Then I'm going to get Damon braces to open up the bicuspid extraction site and insert an implant.

That is super! Would you mind sharing what your current age is?

I'm 50. Check out the site below. The guy posted a lot of helpful info, specifically the interaction on his site with another guy which is posted below, and that is what led me to the Alf, and then of course I googled it to death. Apparently he thinks a palet expander is not the way to go, but the Alf is. Damon braces, as I understand it, really don't do much expansion, but are good when you want to reopen an extraction space. The Alf has its own reverse pull headgear, but I really would rather use The Crane. You can find an Alf practitioner here: http://www.alforthodontics.com/Practiti ... 20Labs.htm.

http://jawpain-tmjtreatment.com/palate-expander.html

Starpilot wrote:I was thinking about using it in addition to the machine, not in place of it. Has anyone tried that?

I tried SnoreRx last night. What can I say... For some reason, a less sophisticated mouth-piece costing 50 times less ($2 from ebay) feels better. I am going to give it some more time and play with its "unique" setup before returning it.