title: A two-dimensional gauge and protocol for fitting oral appliances used in treating sleep breathing disorders.
abstract: The authors tested whether a novel dental gauge that adjusts the mandibular position in both anterior-posterior (A-P) and vertical directions would improve the airway opening. A pilot study of nine patients with sleep breathing disorder used a snoring sound to guide mandibular vertical and protrusion positions with an adjustable mandibular positioning gauge (AMPG). Volumetric airway changes were confirmed by 2-dimensional (2-D) and 3-dimensional (3-D) measurements taken from cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans. Patients experienced a significant average improvement in airway volumetric increase of 50%. The authors concluded that the AMPG device along with employing a snore sound technique as feedback can be used to ensure an improved awake state airway patency and may prove to be a means to optimize fit for oral appliances in treating obstructive sleep apnea.
authors.affiliation: Private Practice, Van Leeuwen Dentistry, Salt Lake City, Utah; Board of Advisors, Kosmo Technologies, LLC, Salt Lake City, Utah.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Van Leeuwen
authors.affiliation: Board Certified Sleep Physician, practicing medicine in South Jordan, Utah; Founding Partner, Kosmo Technologies, LLC, Salt Lake City, Utah.
authors.forename: Rodolfo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Martinez-Ferrate
authors.affiliation: President, C Inside LLC, Salt Lake City, Utah.
authors.forename: Derek
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Preble
authors.affiliation: President, Kosmo Technologies, LLC, Salt Lake City, Utah.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hanewinkel
authors.affiliation: Founding Partner, Kosmo Technologies, LLC, Salt Lake City, UT.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gleeson
authors.affiliation: Founding Partner, Kosmo Technologies, LLC, Salt Lake City, UT.
authors.forename: Jeremy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Andra
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D017090:Occlusal Splints; D010865:Pilot Projects; D017286:Polysomnography; D017755:Prosthesis Fitting; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014716:Vertical Dimension