Oral Appliances for Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

摘要

A 58-year-old man presents with excessive fatigue and daytime sleepiness. After poly-somnography, he is found to have severe obstructive sleep apnea. Should oral appliances be considered a first-line treatment for obstructive sleep apnea? Although oral appliances provide improved subjective sleepiness and sleep-disordered breathing, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is more effective. Oral appliances should not be used as a first-line treatment but rather should be reserved for patients who cannot tolerate CPAP or who refuse to use it.1