Oral appliances treatment for obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a physical disorder that leads to repetitive obstruction of upper air way, causing in 30 or more apneic (the pause of airflow at the mouth and nose for more than 10 seconds) episodes during sleep. It is caused by the repeated collapse or narrowing of the pharyngeal walls due to partial or complete obstruction of the upper airway. Treatment for sleep apnea include weight loss, keeping off alcohol, positional therapy, oral appliances, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Oral appliances have proven to be useful, noninvasive and easy to use. Patients prefer oral appliances and mandibular advancement appliances to CPAP. Our study concluded that oral appliances may assist in the management of OSA.