The effectiveness of adjustable oral appliance for older adult patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Abstract

Background: Oral appliance (OA) treatment for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) has attracted more and more attention due to its low price, comfort, portable and non-invasion. This study aimed to investigate the clinical effectiveness of adjustable oral appliance on older adult patients with OSAS.Methods: Thirty older adult patients diagnosed with OSAS were chosen as the study participants and received an adjustable OA for 6 months. Then, the patients were subjected to a polysomnographic examination, Berlin Questionnaire (BQ) scale questionnaire, and cone beam computer tomography (CBCT) analytical measurement to evaluate their symptom improvement and the morphologic changes of the upper airway.Results: After treatment with adjustable oral appliance for six months, the results showed that there was an improvement of different degrees in the subjective symptoms. Apnea hypopnea index (AHI) had decreased from (27.65±1.31) per hour to (6.74±0.75) per hour (P<0.05); the maximum apnea time (MAT) had decreased from 43.82±2.69 to 21.37±3.18 s (P<0.05); the average oxygen saturation (MSaO 2 ) had increased from (89.24±7.27)% to (92.69±4.46)%; the lowest oxygen saturation (LSaO 2 ) from (81.85±8.31)% to (86.93±4.45)%. Moreover, the CBCT scanning analysis showed that the minimal sagittal diameter, sectional area, and the volume of the palatopharynx, as well as the sagittal diameter and volume of the glossopharynx significantly increased. Conclusions:The adjustable OA had considerable clinical efficacy and comfort in older adult OSAS patients by enlarging the palatopharynx and glossopharynx.

Comparison of the Effects Caused by Three Different Mandibular Advancement Devices on the Periodontal Ligaments and Teeth for the Treatment of Osa: A Finite Element Model Study

“…The resolution of the apneic syndrome is obtained in 48% of treated patients who presented a mild-severe OSA and AHI under 10 in 64% of the patients, which is considered a good result starting from a severe OSA [18,49]. The reduction of snoring and daily sleepiness, which are the most common symptoms of sleep apnea, is referred in 82% of patients who wears a mandibular advancement device [50][51][52].…”