Patients' and sleeping partners' experience of treatment for sleep-related breathing disorders with a mandibular repositioning splint

Br Dent J. 2006 Jan 28;200(2):95-101; discussion 92. doi: 10.1038/sj.bdj.4813149.

Abstract

Aim: To determine in detail the complications associated with the use of mandibular repositioning splints (MRS) to treat sleep-related breathing disorders.

Method: This prospective cross-sectional cohort study audits the management with mandibular repositioning splints of 121 patients suffering from sleep-related breathing disorders. Investigation of patients' and sleeping partners' perspectives on treatment was undertaken with the use of a questionnaire based study.

Results: Sixty-eight per cent of respondents reported that they were compliant with treatment; various side effects were reported of which excess salivation was the most common. Investigation of sleeping partners' perspectives revealed that 70% felt that their partners' snoring was improved and 47% felt that their partner's breathing pauses during sleep were reduced. Sixty-four per cent of the sleeping partners also reported that their own sleep pattern had improved since their partner's treatment.

Conclusion: Mandibular repositioning splints used in the manner described by this paper are demonstrated to have a good compliance rate, provide successful treatment and exhibit only minor, reversible side effects.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Affect / physiology
  • Attitude to Health
  • Body Mass Index
  • Cohort Studies
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Dental Audit
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mandibular Advancement / adverse effects
  • Mandibular Advancement / instrumentation*
  • Middle Aged
  • Occlusal Splints* / adverse effects
  • Orthodontic Appliance Design
  • Patient Compliance
  • Patient Satisfaction
  • Prospective Studies
  • Sialorrhea / etiology
  • Sleep / physiology*
  • Sleep Apnea Syndromes / therapy*
  • Sleep Stages / physiology
  • Snoring / therapy
  • Treatment Outcome