title: Efficacy and comorbidity of oral appliances in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea: a systematic review and preliminary results of a randomized trial.
abstract: The obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is a common sleep-related breathing disorder characterized by repetitive obstructions of the upper airway during sleep. The modification of pharyngeal patency by oral appliance therapy has been suggested as an alternative to various treatment modalities for OSAHS. To determine the evidence base with respect to the efficacy and comorbidity of the oral appliance therapy in OSAHS, a systematic review of the available literature was conducted. In addition, the preliminary results of a randomized parallel trial are reported on the effectiveness and specific indication of, respectively, the oral appliance and continuous positive airways pressure therapy in OSAHS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, P.O. Box 30.001, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands. a.hoekema@kchir.umcg.nl
authors.forename: Aarnoud
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hoekema
mesh_terms: D045422:Continuous Positive Airway Pressure; D006801:Humans; D009968:Orthodontic Appliances, Removable; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome