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Review
. 2017;3(3):143-151.
doi: 10.1007/s40675-017-0080-5. Epub 2017 Jul 10.

Update on Oral Appliance Therapy for OSA

M Marklund  1
Affiliations
Review

Update on Oral Appliance Therapy for OSA

M Marklund. Curr Sleep Med Rep. 2017.

Abstract

Purpose of review: The majority of the adult population is affected by obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), according to recent epidemiological research. Oral appliance (OA) therapy is increasingly recommended, particularly for patients with milder OSA. This review updates the evidence in favor of OA therapy.

Recent findings: A high level of evidence shows that OA is effective in the treatment of OSA, but continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is more efficient. Higher adherence with OAs may compensate for this difference. Daytime sleepiness is better treated with CPAP than with OA in patients with severe OSA. In patients with milder OSA, it is unclear whether sleepiness is significantly reduced. The long-term effectiveness of OAs is uncertain because of side-effects and the risk of OSA deterioration.

Summary: OAs are effective, but their efficacy is more variable than that of CPAP. More research is needed about the mechanism of action of OA, subjective effects and long-term health outcomes.

Keywords: Mandibular advancement devices; Mandibular repositioning appliances; Oral appliances.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest

Marie Marklund reports a consultancy fee from ResMed.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Efficacy in 10 long-term studies of OA treatment (the data refer to AHI, when not otherwise stated. * = baseline value from a larger sample)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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