The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Dental School has been testing the application of oral appliances in an 18 month study involving sleep apnea patients at the South Texas Veterans Health Care System. According to Dr. McLornan author of the study, “What we found was that many of our patients with moderate to severe sleep apnea were not adhering to standard treatment with a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine. Dr. McLornan went on to explain, “some said it was uncomfortable or that it bothered their spouses, or that they were just too embarrassed to use the machine”. As a result of these complains it is known that less than 50% of those who are prescribed a CPAP machine are compliant in the use of the machine.
Not treating sleep apnea can lead to serious health concerns including high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes, obesity and diabetes. This study showed that patients in the study improved significantly when using the oral appliance. As Dr. McLonan summarized, “We saw patients who began the study with severe sleep apnea end the study with very mild or no sleep apnea. They reported sleeping better, feeling more rested in the morning and altogether healthier”.
