Four novel prosthodontic methods for managing upper airway resistance syndrome: an investigative analysis revealing the efficacy of the new nasopharyngeal aperture guard appliance.
BACKGROUND
Obstructive sleep apnea is the most frequent cause for insomnia in the populace. Snoring is mulled over as the potential factor that can lead the sequel to obstructive sleep apnea. Although the etiology and deterrence measures for snoring are yet to be undoubtedly clarified by our scientific sorority, various means of surgical corrections have been affirmed and put into practice, with a substantial degree of success. Despite this, it is implicit that a noninvasive method of managing obstructive sleep apnea is more relevant for overcoming this condition.


OBJECTIVE
This manuscript intends to establish how snoring can be controlled prosthodontically by different modalities of scientifically defensible approaches. The most effective among the modalities was affirmed as the investigative analyses of the treatment outcomes with each modality. NOVEL METHODS: Four new methods of managing obstructive sleep apnea--uvula lift appliance, uvula and velopharynx lift appliance, nasopharyngeal aperture guard, and soft palate lift appliance were demonstrated through this article.


METHODS
The four new modalities stated and one conventional modality of mandibular advancement appliance for managing obstructive sleep apnea, a total of five types of appliance therapies, were described with case reports for each.


METHODS
Five individuals undergoing the appliance therapy were chosen for each modality. The treatment outcome with each modality was examined by analysis of clinical predictors and also by means of standard investigation, with nasal and oral endoscopic analyses.


RESULTS
Among the five types of appliance therapies, the nasopharyngeal aperture guard provided the best treatment outcome in terms of clinical predictors and endoscopic analyses.


CONCLUSIONS
Nasopharyngeal aperture guard, the novel method stated in this article is the better modality for managing obstructive sleep apnea, among the five different appliance therapies.
Venkat
R
R
Department of Prosthodontics, SRM Dental College, Bharathy Saalai, Ramapuram, Chennai 600 089, India.
Gopichander
N
N
Vasantakumar
M
M
D000403:Airway Resistance; D004724:Endoscopy; D006801:Humans; D019186:Mandibular Advancement / Q000295:instrumentation; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000503:physiopathology; D017090:Occlusal Splints; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000628:therapy*; D012913:Snoring / Q000628:therapy; D013577:Syndrome; D014609:Uvula / Q000503:physiopathology; D014681:Velopharyngeal Insufficiency / Q000628:therapy
D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate