Efficacy of the OrthoApnea NOA® Mandibular Advancement Device in the Management of Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Participants were recruited consecutively from patients referred by a board certified sleep physician to the Orofacial Pain Clinic (University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA) for the management of OSA with a mandibular advancement device. An NOA® appliance (Orthoapnea S.L., Malaga, Spain) was custom made for each participant. Digital impressions (scanner 3Shape TRIOS® 3, Copenhagen, Denmark), protrusive records at 50% from maximum protrusion (using a 5 mm fork and George GaugeTM, Great Lakes Dental Technologies, Tonawanda, NY, USA), and clinical pictures were obtained following the protocol recommended by the manufacturer. Maximum mouth opening was measured by adding the interincisal distance to the overbite (in millimeters, using TheraBite® Range of Motion ruler, Great Lakes Dental Technologies, Tonawanda, NY, USA). The MAD was fabricated at an initial protrusion of 50%, with subsequent progressive mandibular components of additional 10% of protrusion up to 100% of the maximum protrusive range. Lastly, a full coverage morning deprogrammer (TAP® AM Aligner, World Class Technology Corp., McMinniville, OR, USA) was fabricated for all the participants to be used for 10 minutes upon removal of the MAD. Follow up visits were scheduled every two weeks and measures of compliance, sleep parameters, pain, headaches, TMD and side effects were monitored.

Inclusion criteria

• Age: >18 and <80 years old.
• No history of previous use of a MAD.
• Diagnosis of OSA by a sleep physician based on a PSG or HSAT (done >12 months before evaluation date or > 12 months with >10% variation of BMI).
• Upon clinical examination: >8 teeth per arch; range of anteroposterior mandibular mobility >5 mm.
• Informed consent to participate in the study.

Exclusion criteria

• Patients with concomitant diagnosed sleep disorders (i.e. insomnia, narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome, rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder).
• History of previous allergic reaction to the appliance material (Polyamide 12).
• Patients using combination therapy for the management of OSA (i.e. PAP therapy or positional therapy).
• Upon clinical examination: periodontal disease (>4 mm on periodontal probing, with bleeding on probing, visual signs of periodontal inflammation); tooth horizontal mobility >1 mm, vertical mobility, and unfavorable crown to root ratio; open cavities, loose or fractured restorations, or patient undergoing restorative dental treatments.
• Exaggerated gag reflex.
• Lack of coordination or dexterity.
• Inadequate English comprehension.