Oral appliance treatment for obstructive sleep apnea in a partly edentulous patient

IntroductionWe report on the use of an oral appliance fitted to a few maxillary and mandibular teeth to treat obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.MethodsWe used a mandibular repositioning appliance, the adjustable PMPositioner. Polysomnograms were taken before and after use of the appliance.ResultsThe apnea-hypopnea index decreased from 19.0 to 8.0. Minimum oxygen saturation increased from 80.0% to 86.0%, and rapid eye movement sleep increased from 6.0% to 20.0%, indicating that the device remained in position during sleep. A 2-year follow-up showed that periodontal and gingival health was maintained.ConclusionsOral appliances such as the PMPositioner are an alternative for treating obstructive sleep apnea in partly edentulous patients.