[Equipment] Oral Appliance NOT An Effective Treatment [Swedish Study]

[gatorgirrrl]

Thanks to the person who posted the research article. Yes, this is only one article...there are many more and one should not be viewed in isolation.

One thing they didn't evaluate was sleeping partner quality of life. I know my Somnodent G2 oral appliance has made me a much nicer person to sleep beside- much quieter, less snoring.

I have mild sleep apnea, mostly a noise issue! So, I didn't seek out assessment and the device for me as much as for my husband. I can't say I felt more rested because that wasn't the main issue.

Now that I am 3 days without my device (had to go for repair as a wing cracked and needs to be re-glued), I'm on the couch and notice a sore throat from all my snoring!!!

Nice to find this group. I have many friends who use Apnea devices (mostly CPAP), and some who are exploring the oral device option too.

[JimZZZ]

There is also the very real possibility of developing secondary medical issues with an appliance such as clicking of the jaw or TMJ/TMD unlike xPAP.

I abandoned my cpap 31/2 months ago in favor of a mandibular advancement splint. Although it was not verified by a full sleep study, the splint seemed effective as demonstrated by an overnight oximetry test.
However...I have developed a painful temporal mandibular disorder (TMD) which makes eating a painful experience. My jaw has moved forward and to the left resulting in misaligned teeth and pain in the jaw hinge. I visited another dentist today and was told that if I continue using the splint, I may permanently misalign my jaw. He also told me that opening the airway by advancing the jaw will allow the soft tissue which is blocking the airway to grow in size making it necessary to increase the advancement.
So...in my case, the advancement splint is not an effective approach. I am returning to my trusty cpap tonight.

[robcohen]

My experience is with the Somnodent appliance vs. Resmed APAP. I have moderate sleep apnea.  Tests before and after the dental appliance show it effective in my case.

INDICATIONS:

Evaluation of ORAL APPLIANCE for treatment of moderate obstructive sleep apnea.
This overnight portable respiratory monitoring was performed while using oral
appliance. Parameters monitored included heart rate, airflow, respiratory effort,
oximetry, and snoring.
RESPIRATION:
Severe snoring was noted. The patient had rare obstructive hypopneas, with
desaturation to approximately 92%. The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) = 0.9, which is
normal.
INTERPRETATION:
1) While using oral appliance, no evidence of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (ICD-10
G47.33). Compared to AHI = 20 on 1/13/2016, apnea is effectively treated by
oral appliance.

My results don't show a back to back test of APAP vs. Somnomed but AHI of 0.9 with the appliance shows me it works.  My test was no CPAP/APAP vs. the appliance and it brings my AHI to normal range.

Hope this helps someone else.