Abstract

HOFFMANN, Gilson Luiz  and  MIRANDA, Milton Edson. Evaluation of the effect of use of occlusal splints and increase of vertical dimension of occlusion based on polysomnographic parameters in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. RSBO (Online) [online]. 2010, vol.7, n.1, pp. 42-49. ISSN 1984-5685.

INTRODUCTION: Obstructive sleep apnea and hypopnea syndrome is the complete obstruction of the airways by the collapse of the oropharynx, soft palate and dorsal tongue for approximately 10 seconds, with a frequency of at least five to ten times per hour during sleep. The four basic treatments are: continuous positive airway pressure; surgery of the palate and sometimes surgical tongue reduction; surgical mandibular advancement followed by hyoid bone movement; use of a dental appliance that keeps the structures of the mandible and tongue advanced during the night. OBJECTIVE, MATERIAL AND METHODS: The purpose of this research was to demonstrate the results obtained with the use of occlusal splints and increase of vertical dimension of occlusion in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, by means of a polysomnography performed initially without the use of splints and afterwards with the use of splints. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: If we do not take into consideration the body mass index and type of occlusion (Angle) among the participants of the research that revealed apnea and hypopnea indexes above the normal range, 9 of them (70%) had their indexes reduced to normal ranges, 2 (15%) had this index reduced, however they did not achieve normal ranges of apnea and hypopnea indexes, and the remaining 2 patients (15%) unexplainably had indexes that were higher with the use of splints than without.

Keywords : occlusal splints; snoring and apnea; obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.