TITLE:
Mandibular advancement devices in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and snoring in community dental care: A pilot study on self-reported sleep quality
AUTHORS:
Tiina-Riitta Vuorjoki-Ranta, Frank Lobbezoo, Henri Tuomilehto, Mauno Könönen, Antti Pihakari, Jari Ahlberg
KEYWORDS:
Obstructive Sleep Apnea; Oral Appliance; Compliance; Daytime Sleepiness; Snoring; Community Dental Care
JOURNAL NAME:
Health,
Vol.5 No.8B,
August
12,
2013
ABSTRACT:
Background: The high efficacy of continuous positive airway
pressure (CPAP) in treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients is sometimes
limited because of intolerance. Mandibular advancement devices (MAD) are proven
to be efficient in treating mild to moderate sleep apnea and snoring. We
examined patients who had been treated in Community Dental Care with a titrable
Herbst-type MAD. The aim of the study
was to evaluate the quality of sleep based on self report. Methods: A
questionnaire was mailed to patients (n = 184) who had received
treatment for OSA or snoring between 2007 and2010 inthe Helsinki Health Centre Oral Care Unit. The patients were referred to the
clinic for primary treatment, or because another treatment modality had failed.
Results: Of the respondents (n =
142, 78.4%), OSA had been diagnosed in 74%, while the MAD was applied for
snoring to the remaining. Among all respondents, 78.4% had worn the MAD at
least three nights per week. With the MAD in situ, sleep was felt significantly
less disrupted (p