Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment with a New Oral Appliance: Somnodent ®

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a disorder in which recurrent closure of the upper airways occurs during sleep. Patients habits correction and the treatment of hypothyroidism, if present, may help to resolve this condition, otherwise other treatements may be tried: nasal continuous positive pressure (nCPAP), surgical treatment, or the application of oral appliances. In this paper a case control study with a new type of mandible-advancement device (MAD) (Somnodent ® ) used in OSA treatment is presented. Materials and Methods: 17 patients affected by OSA with a mean age of 53.52 years (range 32 - 63) had been evaluated. Cephalometric assessment of head radiographs taken in the lateral plane was performed; mandible plane-hyoid (MP-H) distance and the pharyngeal anterior space distance (PAS) were measured. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated, and mean oxygen saturation (SaO2) and the respiratory disturbance index (AHI) was evaluated. Each patient received a complete overnight polysomnography. Results: AHI reduction with MAD was considered extremely significant (P<0.0001). The reduction of apnea/hypopnea index induced significant variation of SaO2 (86.859% vs 93.906%, without and with MAD, respectively: p < 0.0001). Conclusions: OSA therapy with MAD seems very effective and, compared to other treatments (in particular nCPAP), may enhance patient's compliance.