Effects of a Mandibular Protruding Device on the Sleep of Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Snoring Problems: A 2-Year Follow-Up

Objectives: To evaluate subjective discomfort and somnographic measures of patients with obstructive sleep apnea and snoring problems who had been treated for 2 years with a mandibular protruding device (MPD). Methods: The study population comprised 65 patients with a pretreatment diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) (n = 44) or habitual snoring without apnea (n = 21). After a baseline medical and somnographic examination, a functional examination of the stomatognathic system, and a questionnaire focused on sleep-related qualities, each patient received an MPD. Two follow-ups were made 6 months and 2 years after MPD treatment had been initiated, and all initial examinations were repeated. Results: At the 2-year follow-up, significant subjective improvements were registered in 90% of the patients regarding a reduction of snoring and apneas, in 76% regarding a reduction in daytime tiredness, and in 84% regarding an improvement in the quality of the night sleep (change of 50% from baseline data). At the 2-year follow-up of the OSA group, the oxygen desaturation index (ODI) had dropped significantly from a mean value of 14.7 (SD, 12.7) to 3.1 (SD, 4.2) (P < 0.001), and the mean SaO₂ nadir rose from 78.2% (SD, 8.1) to 89.0% (SD, 4.7) (P < 0.001). Only one of the snorers increased his ODI value; the others retained their initial healthy values. The OSA patients significantly reduced the amount of time they snored during their sleep. Conclusion: MPD treatment is associated with a significant reduction in subjective complaints such as disturbing snoring, apneas, daytime tiredness, and poor quality of night sleep, and with a significant reduction in ODI values in the OSA group. In addition, favorable 6-month results were unchanged after 2 years.