Fullface

There are three main types of CPAP masks: full face masks, which cover the nose and mouth. Nose masks, which cover the nose only and nasal pillow masks, which insert in to the nose.

All the masks need to provide a firm seal in order to deliver the air pressure through the mask to the back of the throat to keep your airway open in sleep. There any many nuances to mask fitting. It is important to have an experienced CPAP Therapist guide you with mask choice and to have a broad range of masks and brands to choose from.

Fullface CPAP masks have the advantage of covering your nose and mouth, thereby minimising any possible mouth leak, which can cause airway dryness and loss of pressure (inadequate treatment of your sleep apnoea). If patients have prominent nasal obstruction, full face masks are often used, because nasal masks or nasal pillow masks may not work or be too uncomfortable for the patient if the nose is blocked. However, full face masks are larger and bulkier than the other types of masks and there is more surface contact on the face with these masks, increasing the possibility of mask leak.