title: Microimplant-based mandibular advancement therapy for the treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea: a prospective study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the efficacy of orthodontic microimplant-based mandibular advancement therapies for the treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adult patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten adult OSA patients (seven men, three women; mean age 60.00 ± 9.25 years) were each treated with two mandibular orthodontic microimplants attached to a customized reverse face mask for mandibular advancement. Pretreatment and posttreatment outcome measures of microimplant mobility, apnea-hypopnea index, snoring, respiratory movement, and Epworth sleepiness scores were evaluated after 6 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Highly significant reductions in the apnea-hypopnea index, snoring, and sleep variables were observed. Sixteen of the 20 (80%) microimplants were stable and showed no mobility, and four (20%) demonstrated grade 1 or 2 mobility and required removal and reinsertion of a new microimplant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Favorable reductions in sleep variables highlight the potential of microimplant-based mandibular advancement therapy as an alternative treatment modality for OSA patients who cannot tolerate continuous positive airway pressure and oral appliance therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Joachim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ngiam
authors.forename: Hee-Moon
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Kyung
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015921:Dental Implants; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019186:Mandibular Advancement / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000628:therapy*; D012913:Snoring / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants