Well, Pam, I can't speak to the braces (except to say that I believe the ones you are talking about have the hardware on the back of the tooth, so that there isn't much to see on the front so maybe there won't be any pressure there), but I can tell you a funny story about "added paraphernalia" when it comes to gear.

I have developed a habit of listening to my iPod as I am drifting off to sleep. It takes longer for me than it used to, so this is a great way for me to go to sleep and not bug my husband...too much. Anyhow, I was going to take a nap one afternoon, but I only had a limited time to sleep and was afraid that I would not hear the alarm (I was using a kitchen timer). So I hooked the kitchen timer to the side of my head strap. My husband comes in, having decided that a nap sounded good, takes one look at me and says "You look like an experiment!!!" I laughed so hard I dang near couldn't go to sleep at all! (Needless to say, I am not terribly self-conscious about all that crap.) I still find it hilarious.

Hey, I just realized we haven't heard from Leah in awhile. Where are you, O Poster Child?

I haven't had braces in awhile and have not had to deal with using a bipap with braces.

But from memory...I think it is quite possible braces and masks may clash. My full face mask would definitely add pressure to points where my mouth and braces would meet.

Oh how apnea complicates things!
MC

Just an update


Okay I got my braces. They are the white ceramic ones. Hardware on the front of the teeth. They put bands on the molars and brackets on the other teeth. Not so awful really. They put the brackets in the position where the teeth should end up and in the direction they want them to be in the end. Then thread the wire and pull taut. Then let the magic happen over time.

I have a deep bite though so they didn't want my mouth to close all the way the first few months. The way they accomplished it was by putting in occlusive stops. Two gobs of white stuff on top of a molar on either side that keep my teeth a bit apart. I swear it looks like two crack rocks sitting in my mouth lol. Great for when I go work at the Detox. I will be so popular there :)

The Ortho wax works well! Thanks for that tip. My CPAP mask hits just above my braces so it hasn't been a problem yet. I have noticed though that my mouth has dried out the past two nights while sleeping a lot and it hasn't done that before. Must be because my teeth are apart. I can't wait for the occlusive stops to come off. Those are the most annoying things about this so far. I have no chewing surfaces. Maybe I will get skinny for my cruise in November! woohoo!

Thanks for all of the support and advice everyone

Pam

So friends...just to validate what you all told me... The CPAP has been okay with my braces. Luckily, my orthodontist knows I wear a CPAP and so hasn't added in the wearing of any headgear at night. That wouldn't have been possible. At first I had more leaks no matter how many times I tried to remold my gel mask to fit my new contour, it leaked. I just got a new mask and now it seals nicely right out of the box. Apparantly I am an off-the-rack kinda girl :)

My son just moved out...he snuck back in the house the other morning to get a belt from his room (which he hasn't finishing cleaning yet, of course ha!). I told him I didn't hear him come in! He said "Mom you sleep so soundly when you have your CPAP on that nothing wakes you. If you hadn't been wearing it, I wouldn't have been able to drive down the street without you noticing." Nice to hear that I suppose. Makes me want to keep on wearing it even on those nights that I resent it.

Pam