Treatment of Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea with Dental Orthosis

구강내 장치를 이용한 코골이 및 폐쇄성 수면무호흡증의 치료효과

The purpose of this study was to examine the anatomic changes in the upper airway with a dental orthosis. the effectiveness and side effects of orthosis in the treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. To meet this puppose a dental orthosis, designed to increase the size of the upper airway by advancing the mandible, was used in 42 patients (30 M, 12 F), aged 29 - 69 years, to treat snoring and varying decrees of obstructive sleep apnea. Cephalometric study of anatomic featured was made with and without a dental orthosis, and the evaluation of the effectiveness and side effects of orthosis was done by questionnaires. The obtained results were as follows : 1. All subjects were habitual snorers and 32 patients comp1ained the loudness of snoring as severe as be heard outside of the patient's room. 2. According to the degree of respiratory distirbance index(RDI) and aprea index(Al) from the polysomnograph in 34 patient, mild obstructive sleep apnea patients were 5, moderate 6 and severe 16. 3. Various anatomic changes in the upper airway with denta1 orthosis were as follows : (1) More superioly positioned hyoid bone ( p<0.001) (2) Enlarged oropharyngeal (superior p<0.01, middle p<0.01. inferior p<0.01) and hypopharyngeal (P<0.05) airway space. 4. According to the results of the changes of clinical syptoms after the usage of the dental orthosis acquired from questionnaires, there was significant improvement in the frequently, the loudness and the severity of snoring, cessation of breathing and awakening from the difficulty of breathing during sleep. 5. The effectiveness and side effects of dental orthosis by questionnaires were as follows ; (1) Dental orthosis satisfied almost all the patients (68±20%). (2) Snoring was improved in all the patients (73±19%). (3) Obstructive sleep aphea was improved in all the patients (61 ± 37%) (4) Sleepiness in the daytime was significantly improved (61 ±37%). (5) The sleep quality was significantly improved (61±37%). (6) The discomfort of the dental orthosis was minor (33±18%) and no serious complications were observed. 6. The dental orthosis is an effective treatment for the symptom of snoring, and it can also effectively treat varying degrees of obstructive sleep apnea.