Abstract

CARLOS VILLAFRANCA, Félix de; COBO PLANA, Juan; MACIAS ESCALADA, Emilio  and  DIAZ ESNAL, Belén. Treatment of sleep apnea syndrome with mandibular advancing devices . RCOE [online]. 2002, vol.7, n.4, pp.379-386. ISSN 1138-123X.

Since the end of the last century intraoral devices have been thought to be a valid alternative for certain types of obstructive pathology of the upper airway. Nowadays there are many patents for different devices. The most commonly used are the fixed and adjustable mandibular advancement devices (MAD). Their function can be summarised as an increase in the pharyngeal area and prevention of soft palate and tongue collapse during sleep. With these devices the apnea hypopnea index decreases by around 60%, the response range is 60% and the adaptation of the patients is higher than 80%. This figure places them at the same level as the continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices for reduction of respiratory disorders during sleep and above CPAP as regards acceptation by patients and fewer side effects. 

Keywords : Upper airway; Sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome; Oral appliances; Mandibular advancing devices.