30 Participants Needed

Mandibular Positioning Techniques for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

EN
Overseen ByEnoch Ng, DDS
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: University of Alberta
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This is a prospective study that directly compares the use of speech vs an anterior protrusive technique for mandibular positioning.

Do I need to stop taking my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Speech positioning technique for Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Research on similar treatments, like the mandibular advancement device (MAD), shows they can help with obstructive sleep apnea by moving the lower jaw forward to keep the airway open. This suggests that techniques involving jaw positioning, like the Speech positioning technique, might also be effective.12345

Is the mandibular positioning technique safe for humans?

Mandibular positioning devices, used for treating sleep apnea, are generally safe but can cause side effects like jaw pain or discomfort in the temporomandibular joint (the joint connecting the jawbone to the skull). Most patients tolerate these devices well, but some may experience persistent pain leading to discontinuation of use.16789

How does the speech positioning technique treatment for obstructive sleep apnea differ from other treatments?

The speech positioning technique for obstructive sleep apnea is unique because it focuses on positioning the mandible (lower jaw) through speech exercises, which may offer a non-invasive alternative to devices like mandibular advancement prostheses that physically adjust jaw position. This approach could potentially improve airway patency (openness) during sleep without the need for dental devices.12101112

Research Team

EN

Enoch Ng, DDS

Principal Investigator

University of Alberta

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults over 18 who have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea and are prescribed a dental sleep appliance. They should be following the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine's treatment guidelines.

Inclusion Criteria

I am 18 years old or older.
I have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea.
I have a prescription for a dental device to help with sleep.
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Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo mandibular positioning using either the anterior protrusive or speech positioning technique

3 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • Speech positioning technique
Trial OverviewThe study is comparing two ways to position the jaw using dental appliances: one method uses speech positioning, while the other uses an anterior protrusive technique. It aims to see which is more effective for patients with sleep apnea.
Participant Groups
2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: Speech PositionExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
use of speech positioning technique
Group II: Anterior ProtrusiveActive Control1 Intervention
use of anterior protrusive positioning technique

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Alberta

Lead Sponsor

Trials
957
Recruited
437,000+

Findings from Research

The anterior mandibular positioning (AMP) device significantly reduced the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea, showing a decrease from 35.6 to 22.7 after two weeks of use, and maintained a lower AHI of 25.3 after one year.
The device was well tolerated by 76% of patients over a year, with no long-term issues related to dental health or jaw function, although 29% discontinued use due to TMJ pain or unsatisfactory results.
Short and long-term usage of a dental device in sleep apnea syndrome.Peled, E., Yoffe, N., Blumenfeld, I., et al.[2009]
In a study of 100 patients with obstructive sleep apnea treated with a mandibular advancement device (MAD), 80 patients were found to have positional dependency, showing significant improvement in their apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) from 32.1 to 8.6 after treatment.
The success rate of MAD treatment was notably higher in position-dependent patients (57.5% achieving a significant reduction in AHI) compared to non-dependent patients (30.0%), indicating that understanding a patient's positional dependency can help predict treatment outcomes.
The effect of positional dependency on outcomes of treatment with a mandibular advancement device.Lee, CH., Jung, HJ., Lee, WH., et al.[2012]
The adjustable mandibular positioning appliance significantly reduced the apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) from 44 to 12 events per hour, indicating its effectiveness in treating sleep apnea in 75 patients who completed follow-up polysomnography.
Patients reported a marked improvement in snoring severity, with only 2% of bedpartners noting loud snoring while using the appliance, and 86% of patients continued to use it nightly after an average of 350 days, showing good long-term adherence and satisfaction.
Evaluation of variable mandibular advancement appliance for treatment of snoring and sleep apnea.Pancer, J., Al-Faifi, S., Al-Faifi, M., et al.[2019]

References

Short and long-term usage of a dental device in sleep apnea syndrome. [2009]
The effect of positional dependency on outcomes of treatment with a mandibular advancement device. [2012]
Evaluation of variable mandibular advancement appliance for treatment of snoring and sleep apnea. [2019]
The efficacy of a modified mandibular advancement device for OSA treatment in a group of adult patients. [2023]
The interaction between changes in upright mandibular position and supine airway size in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. [2005]
The anterior mandibular positioning device for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome: experience with the Serenox. [2019]
Adjustable thermoplastic mandibular advancement device for obstructive sleep apnea: outcomes and practicability. [2015]
Optimizing Mandibular Advancement Maneuvers during Sleep Endoscopy with a Titratable Positioner: DISE-SAM Protocol. [2022]
Effect of mandibular advancement device therapy on the signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders. [2021]
10.United Statespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
An alternative technique for mandibular advancement prosthesis fabrication. [2019]
11.United Statespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Fabrication of a prosthesis to prevent sleep apnea in edentulous patients. [2019]
Treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea in edentulous patients--design of a combination appliance: a case study. [2004]