Archives

Snoring and other sleep disorders of upper airway are generally the result of a condition or disease that causes partial or complete obstruction of the airway when patient assumes supine position and goes to sleep. The oral appliances modify the upper airway by changing the posture of the mandible and tongue and thus relieving the obstruction. Despite considerable variation in the design of these appliances the clinical effects are remarkably consistent. Improvement in sleep quality and sleepiness reflects the effect on breathing. Comparison of the risk and benefit of oral appliance with other alternative suggests that oral appliances present a useful alternative to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), especially for patients withsimple snoring and patients with obstructive sleep apnea who cannot tolerate CPAP therapy.

Sleep Apnea; Snoring; Oral appliances.