Design of Thermoplastic Oral Appliance With Mouth Opening Control to Treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Abstract

[EN]Obstructive Sleep apnea is associated with daytime sleepiness, increased motor vehicle accidents, heart failure and stroke. Treatment options include weight loss, positive airway pressure, pharyngeal and orthognatic surgery. However, selected patients have good response to oral appliances devices that intended to protrude and stabilize the mandible mechanically during the night in order to reduce the collapsibility of the upper airway. Selection of patients includes primary snoring, mild, moderate and positional apnea. The objective of this paper is to present a new thermoadjustable chair-side oral appliance. Device integrates the best characteristics of custom made and boils and bite previous designs and minimizes inconveniences and possible side effects. The device is a titratable mandibular advancement appliance. It consists of two independent prefabricated trays adaptable to the shape of adult dental arch and linked to each other by a protrusion mechanism. Each tray contains a hard outer shell and a soft thermoplastic resin inner body. The position of the jaw can be adjusted by moving an aluminium rack into, or out from, the guide so the ratchet may get locked into a certain position ensuring the length of the mechanism. The protrusion mechanism is fixed to the splint using small rings that are articulated over a “t” button. The opening of the mouth can be limited by an integrated locking system of the “t” button. Our prototype satisfies the requirements of an effective oral appliance, in terms of retention, comfort, safety and efficacy. It is easy to fit, durable, low cost, quickly titratable, not bulky and easy cleaning. Thermoplastic appliances are specially used like a predictor of treatment response in apnea patients. The device described is a cost-effective introduction to mandibular advancement technology. A qualified dentist or trained sleep doctor could mitigate dental side effects and reduce their incidence.