title: Conservative treatment of obstructive sleep apnea: a case report.
abstract: Conservative treatment of obstructive sleep apnea includes weight loss, changes in sleep posture, drug therapy, nasal continuous positive airway pressure and placement of an intraoral prosthesis. This article describes the success achieved in a case treated with conservative therapy, that is, intraoral prosthesis. A mandibular advancement prosthesis was fabricated for a 35-year-old male patient suffering from obstructive sleep apnea. The prosthesis was fabricated at a raised vertical dimension, with the central area open for the air passage. This advanced mandibular position enhanced the patency of the oropharynx. The prosthesis showed better results in the treatment. There was significant improvement in the apneic episodes and daytime sleepiness after wearing the prosthesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, SDM College of Dental Sciences, Dharwad, Karnataka, India. drsatyabodh@yahoo.co.in
authors.forename: Satyabodh Sheshraj
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Guttal
authors.forename: Narendra Pandurang
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Patil
authors.forename: Sachin Shankar
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Mantur
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019186:Mandibular Advancement / Q000295:instrumentation*; D017090:Occlusal Splints; D009968:Orthodontic Appliances, Removable; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome