Efficacy of the mandibular advancement device on obstructive sleep apnea syndrome - a retrospective study

Objectives: The present study aims to evaluate the efficacy of the Silensor SL device on the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome. Methods: 60 patients (21 men and 39 women) diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea/ /hypopnea syndrome were treated with the Silensor SL device. Their mean age was 52 years, and their mean BMI was 27.4 kg/m(2). The percentage of reduction in the apnea/hypopnea index was analyzed to assess the response to treatment (> 75%: complete response; 50-75%: partial response; 50-25%: weak response; <25%: no answer). Results: 59 of the 60 patients showed improvement after using the Silensor SL device. The mean apnea/hypopnea index of patients treated with Silensor SL improved from 14.1 to 6.5 (p<0.01). When assessing the percentage of reduction in the apnea/hypopnea index, 10 patients had a reduction of less than 25% (16.67%), 17 improved by 25-50% (28.33%), 15 by 50-75% (25 %) and 17 by more than 75% (28.33%). Conclusions: Mandibular advancement devices are a valid non-invasive, conservative therapeutic alternative for patients with obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome. Polygraphic records showed a statistically significant decrease in apnea/hypopnea index values. Studies with larger samples are necessary to establish the patient's profile, which may be associated with a good response to treatment with mandibular advancement devices. (C) 2020 Sociedade Portuguesa de Estomatologia e Medicina Dentaria. Published by SPEMD.