Pilot study of a semi-flexible intra-oral appliance for the control of snoring

Objective: To determine the effectiveness and acceptability of an intra-oral appliance in the reduction of snoring, with construction and fitting as a 1-visit process. Design and setting: This was a prospective study. Patients were attending a hospital sleep breathing disorders clinic and appliances were made at a dental hospital. This work was carried out in the UK during 1996 and 1997. Subjects and Methods: Patients were selected from those referred to a sleep breathing disorders clinic with socially disruptive snoring. Main Outcome Measures: Patients were assessed by means of limited sleep studies and by questionnaires before and after fitting of the appliances. The sleep studies consisted of monitoring respiratory variables (principally oronasal airflow and nocturnal oxygen saturation). A respiratory disturbance index was assigned. Questionnaires were completed by both patients and sleep partners, with many of the responses being marked on visual analogue scales. Results: 16 male patients, mean age 49 years, were included in the trial. 14 were able to wear the appliance and their level of snoring, as assessed by their sleep partners, reduced from a mean of 8.8 out of 10 to 4.2 out of 10 (P = 0.0003, paired t-test). Conclusion: It is concluded that the semi-flexible intra-oral appliance is effective in the control of snoring.