[Research] This oral appliance could help you (and your partner) sleep better

By Emma Buchet

An original design for an oral appliance developed in Hiroshima University Hospital can help sufferers of sleep apnea sleep more soundly

Researchers measured a novel treatment for sleep apnea developed at Hiroshima University Hospital with positive results. By measuring patients lying down flat, the researchers stimulated sleep conditions and measured the patient’s airways using 3D imaging. The study confirmed that the treatment is effective at opening the airways and warrants further collaboration between dentists and doctors in treatment of sleep apnea.

Clear and blocked airway during sleep.

Clear and blocked airway during sleep. Airways of sleep apnea patients are obstructed making it more difficult to breathe while asleep (iStock)

Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition that causes throat muscles to relax and narrows the airways of those affected while they are asleep. Snorting, choking or gasping while sleeping are the indicators of the condition. Usually the sufferers’ partner notices before they do!

People with mild to moderate sleep apnea experience daily fatigue and a shortened attention span from lack of sleep. Sleep apnea can also have more serious consequences; people have died from very severe forms of the condition.

“Your eyes are closed but you’re not resting,” explains Dr. Cynthia Concepción-Medina, Research Assistant at the Department of Orthodontics at Hiroshima University Hospital who contributed to the study with her colleagues Associate Professor Hiroshi Ueda and Dr. Yu Matsumura.

research group photo

The Sleep Apnea Research Group (top row left to right: Dr. Koji Iwai, Dr. Cynthia Concepción Medina, bottom row left to right: Dr. Hiroshi Ueda, Dr. Yu Matsumura and Dr. Toshikazu Nagasaki). Credit: Department of Orthodontics and Craniofacial Developmental Biology/Hiroshima University Hospital

Treatments include a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine (a mask worn by the patient that delivers air pressure throughout the night) or one-piece oral appliances.

The Department of Orthodontics at Hiroshima University Hospital developed an oral appliance to help patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea. This appliance brings the jawbone forward to enlarge the air passageways at the back of their mouth. Each appliance is custom made for each patient and allows jaw movement, so it doesn’t affect patient’s teeth or change the shape of their face.

The oral appliance

The oral appliance (Mandibular Advancement Appliance). The appliance is made of two parts that join together to bring the patient’s jawbone forward.Credit: Department of Orthodontics and Craniofacial Developmental Biology/Hiroshima University Hospital

“This is like when you have to use glasses, you have to wear them every time you want to see properly so [patients] have to wear this appliance every time [they] want to sleep better.” according to Dr. Ueda.

To further investigate how well the appliance works the research team, led by Dr. Matsumura, scanned a group of patients with mild-to-moderate sleep apnea using Multislice Computed Tomography (MSCT)— a type of X-ray where the machine rotates around an object, and it takes a picture each time it rotates. This data is then combined to see a 3D object and is a fast and precise method of scanning.

MSCT scanning a patient wearing the appliance at Hiroshima University Hospital.

MSCT scanning a patient wearing the appliance at Hiroshima University Hospital. Credit: Department of Orthodontics and Craniofacial Developmental Biology/Hiroshima University Hospital

Previous research usually measured patients standing up, which does not simulate sleeping conditions. This study (published in Sleep Disorders, 2019) measured the change in airway space of 13 patients lying flat. The team found that the appliance had a positive effect on patients: wearing it almost halved the number of times the patients had sleep apnea episodes during the night and widened their airways to allow easier breathing.

“I think it’s unique research because we are dentists, but we can contribute to improve the [patient’s] sleep situation or breathing situation.” says Dr. Ueda.

This study indicates promising effects of this treatment and the team hopes that they can continue this collaboration between the dental and the medical field.

Original article: Matsumura, Y., Ueda, H., Nagasaki, T., Concepción Medina, C., Iwai, K., and Tanimoto,K., (2019) Multislice Computed Tomography Assessment of Airway Patency Changes Associated with Mandibular Advancement Appliance Therapy in Supine Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea, vol. 2019, Sleep Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/8509820

Media Contact

Norifumi Miyokawa
Research Planning Office, Hiroshima University

E-mail: pr-research*office.hiroshima-u.ac.jp (Please change * into @)


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