Mandibular Advancement Devices for Sleep Apnea
August 29th, 2009
Study of Mandibular Advancement Devices for Sleep Apnea
Research Background – Mandibular Advancement Devices
Dr Chul Hee Lee, M.D. and colleagues at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea, evaluated 50 Korean patients (46 men and four women, average age 50.2) who received an oral Mandibular Advancement Devices (MAD) to treat obstructive sleep apnea between 2005 and 2007.
Mandibular Advancement Devices are designed to reduce or prevent airway obstruction by moving the lower jaw forward. the device is worn at night by the patients while sleeping.
Study Details
Patients underwent sleep testing both before and after receiving and commencing to use the Mandibular Advancement Devices.
The research follow up also included measurements of the patients tongue and throat areas. Measurements were compared to before and after details. In addition, a questionnaire about sleep quality and sleepiness and any changes noticed was completed.
When assessing the results of the use of Mandibular Advancement Devices no correlation was observed with respect to the success or otherwise of the use of the devices with regards to pre-existing physical characteristics and predisposing conditions or the demographic data of the patients.
Results of Study
The Mandibular Advancement Devices were considered successful for obstructive sleep apnea treatment in 37 of 50 patients (74 percent).
This included
- three of seven patients with mild cases of obstructive sleep apnea (43 percent).
- 22 of 27 with moderate cases (82 percent), and
- 12 of 16 with severe cases (75 percent).
Success was measured by a recorded decrease in the number of episodes of sleep apneas or shallow breathing events per night.
Mandibular Advancement Devices – Study Conclusions
Dr Chul Hee Lee. and his colleagues concluded that with respect to alternatives for sleep apnea treatment, that;
“The Mandibular Advancement Device is a simple, non-invasive, easy-to-manufacture and easy-to-use device and showed good treatment outcome in nocturnal respiratory function and sleep quality in Korean patients with obstructive sleep apnea”
They found that “Even in patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea”, mandibular advancement device application showed a good success rate.
Hence, mandibular advancement devices application can be used as a good alternative treatment option in patients with obstructive sleep apnea, without patient selection, and could be used in patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea.