[A device for mandibular advancement in respiratory disorders of sleep. Clinical study]

This study describes the technical steps for the making of a mandibular advancement device for sleep disordered patients (apnea index < 10). In a second part of the study, a group of 21 patients with sleep disordered breathing treated successfully with a mandibular advancement device is compared to a homologous control group. The experimental group showed cephalometric characteristics approaching those seen in patients with sleep apnea syndrome. The mandibular advancement device moved the mandibule forward (SNB angle increases by 1.7 degrees) and downward (mandibular plane angle increases by 3 degrees, which can be related to the 7.4 mm anterior vertical height increase). The hyoid bone adopted a more distant position from the cervical vertebrae. Important individual variations were seen among the patients for the optimal repositioning of the mandible.