Oral appliances (OA) have emerged as an alternative to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) treatment. The most commonly used OA reduces upper airway collapse by advancing the mandible (mandibular advancement devices, MAD). There is a strong evidence base demonstrating that MADs improve OSA in the majority of patients, including some with more severe disease. However, MADs are not efficacious for all, with approximately one-third of patients experiencing no therapeutic benefit. Patients often prefer MADs to gold-standard CPAP treatment. Head-to-head trials confirm CPAP is superior in reducing OSA parameters on polysomnography; however, this greater efficacy does not necessarily translate into better health outcomes in clinical practice. Comparable effectiveness of MADs and CPAP has been attributed to higher reported nightly use of MADs, suggesting that inferiority in reducing apnoeic events may be counteracted by greater treatment adherence. The MAD in study, called Bite-Velo Linguale (BVL), features a novel monobloc device including a tongue retainer, a suction cavity that maintains the tongue down onto the mouth floor in order to prevent it from raising towards the hard palate, and therefore increasing the retro lingual aerial space. Its design requires the presence of only four occlusal points, allowing for a direct anchorage onto the mandibular bone, thus reducing the risk for occlusal changes, tooth loosening and the development of an anterior cross bite, which represent some of the major long-term adverse effects of oral appliances. MADs are generally well tolerated, although short-term adverse effects during acclimatization are common. Long-term dental changes do occur, but these are for the most part subclinical and do not preclude continued use. The BVL in study features technological advances aimed at preventing long-term dental changes, as well as improving tolerability and easiness of use.
Age range
18 Years – 65 Years
Sex
ALL
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Reduction in pathological breathing events
Timeframe: Weeks 9 to 10