Results in the Use of Two Types of Polymeric Appliances in the Therapy of Some Mild Sleep Apnea Simptoms

Abstract

Sleep apnea episodes represent a problem both for the patients and for the patient�s bed partners. The objective of this study was to record the comparative effects of two types of polymeric appliances in the therapy of some mild apnea symptoms (bruxism and snoring). The effect of therapy with the used appliances was pursued on 42 patients, divided in two groups. In the first group of 21 patients, we used a custom made appliance achieved by Erkoflex disks, and in the second group of 21 patients, the preformed SomnoFit�-Oscimed polymeric appliance. The survey lasted for a 12 month period, 1 month before the insertion in mouth of the appliances and 11 months therapy with polymeric appliances. The authors� questionnaire was completed daily by the patients and their bed partners, which noted the night comfort with inserted appliances in the mouth, the existence/absence of morning pain in the area of the masseter muscle, existence/absence of the morning fatigue, respectively the maintaining, diminishing and the absence of snoring and of nocturnal bruxism. The results of the study were favorable and proved that the nocturnal therapy of bruxism and of snoring, by using these two polymeric appliances were efficient. SomnoFit� appliance performed better in reducing bruxism and snoring, but custom made Erkoflex appliances presented a greater resistance in time.