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Effects of a Mandibular Protruding Device on the Sleep of Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Snoring Problems: A 2-Year Follow-Up

Sleep and Breathing volume 7, pages 131–141 (2003)Cite this article

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate subjective discomfort and somnographic measures of patients with obstructive sleep apnea and snoring problems who had been treated for 2 years with a mandibular protruding device (MPD). Methods: The study population comprised 65 patients with a pretreatment diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) (n = 44) or habitual snoring without apnea (n = 21). After a baseline medical and somnographic examination, a functional examination of the stomatognathic system, and a questionnaire focused on sleep-related qualities, each patient received an MPD. Two follow-ups were made 6 months and 2 years after MPD treatment had been initiated, and all initial examinations were repeated. Results: At the 2-year follow-up, significant subjective improvements were registered in 90% of the patients regarding a reduction of snoring and apneas, in 76% regarding a reduction in daytime tiredness, and in 84% regarding an improvement in the quality of the night sleep (change of ≥ 50% from baseline data). At the 2-year follow-up of the OSA group, the oxygen desaturation index (ODI) had dropped significantly from a mean value of 14.7 (SD, 12.7) to 3.1 (SD, 4.2) (P < 0.001), and the mean SaO2 nadir rose from 78.2% (SD, 8.1) to 89.0% (SD, 4.7) (P < 0.001). Only one of the snorers increased his ODI value; the others retained their initial healthy values. The OSA patients significantly reduced the amount of time they snored during their sleep. Conclusion: MPD treatment is associated with a significant reduction in subjective complaints such as disturbing snoring, apneas, daytime tiredness, and poor quality of night sleep, and with a significant reduction in ODI values in the OSA group. In addition, favorable 6-month results were unchanged after 2 years.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthodontics and Department of Stomatognathic Physiology, Postgraduate Dental Education Center, Örebro, Sweden

    Anette M. C. Fransson D.D.S.

  2. Department of Stomatognathic Physiology and Centre for Clinical Research, Uppsala University, Central Hospital, Västerå, Sweden

    Åke Tegelberg D.D.S., Ph.D.

  3. Sleep Unit, Department of Neurology, Örebro University Hospital, Örebro, Sweden

    Lena Leissner M.D.

  4. Department of Stomatognathic Physiology, Faculty of Odontology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden

    Anette M. C. Fransson D.D.S. & Bengt Wenneberg D.D.S., Ph.D.

  5. AstraZeneca, Södertälje, Sweden

    Anette M. C. Fransson D.D.S. & Göran Isacsson D.D.S., Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Anette M. C. Fransson D.D.S.
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  2. Åke Tegelberg D.D.S., Ph.D.
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  3. Lena Leissner M.D.
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  4. Bengt Wenneberg D.D.S., Ph.D.
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  5. Göran Isacsson D.D.S., Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Anette M. C. Fransson D.D.S..

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Fransson, A.M.C., Tegelberg, Å., Leissner, L. et al. Effects of a Mandibular Protruding Device on the Sleep of Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Snoring Problems: A 2-Year Follow-Up. Sleep Breath 7, 131–141 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11325-003-0131-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11325-003-0131-7

Keywords

  • Sleep apnea
  • snoring
  • mandibular protruding device
  • sleep quality questionnaire