MSE

Why I Chose DNA over Homeoblock, MSE, DOME, MMA and AGGA

I did about 18 months research into palate expansion and surgical options for treating my severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). I was guided by the idea that the best treatment is likely to be the one that most directly addresses the root cause: Underdeveloped jaws exacerbated by the extraction/retraction orthodontic treatment I had when I was 13, leaving me with an airway which is too small to breathe through during sleep.

Along the way I tried many alternative treatments for OSA with limited success, and the two dominant mainstream treatments: a Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD) and Continuous Positive Air Pressure (CPAP) machine. Aside from the lack of success I had with the MAD, I find both of these unsatisfactory because they only deal with symptoms without addressing the underlying cause, allowing the untreated condition to progressively get worse over time. (more…)

By Graham Stoney, ago

Maxillary Expansion For Obstructive Sleep Apnea Resource Bookmarks

This is a list of online resources I found helpful when researching palate expansion options for potentially curing my obstructive sleep apnea. The number of links reflects the amount of research I did on each option; those I explored in more detail have their own pages and are compared in this article.

To understand how and why this treatment approach works, read what really causes obstructive sleep apnea. Most options here are non-surgical or require only minimal surgical assistance; for surgical options see Surgical Options For Obstructive Sleep Apnea Resource Bookmarks.

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By Graham Stoney, ago
Graph showing my average AHI ranges between about 3 and 21.

Results From My First Seven Months on CPAP

I’ve just passed seven months using CPAP, so here’s an update. It took a while for my nose to stop hurting when I first started using it, and fortunately Chris Kelly from AER Healthcare recommended I try paw paw ointment, which turned out to be a lifesaver. As a result, my compliance over the period has been over 98%. Here’s my AHI overview during that time as reported by OSCAR:

Graph showing my average AHI ranges between about 3 and 21.

My AHI results using CPAP for 7 months

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By Graham Stoney, ago
Graphic of upper jaw with a fixed rapid maxillary expander appliance

Does Palate Expansion Improve Nasal Airway Resistance?

Relevant quotes from scientific papers as of 28 December 2019.

The studies below indicate that palate expansion usually improves nasal airway resistance.

Since palate expansion has historically only been successful with children or young adolescents, most of the studies are on them. SARME, MARPE and DOME have made palate expansion possible in adults but there are less studies available as the techniques haven’t been in use anywhere near as long. The studies that are available indicate that even mature adults can derive similar improvements in nasal airway resistance to those historically documented in children. (more…)

By Graham Stoney, ago