Custom devices for sleep apnea treatment.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a potentially life-threatening sleep disorder that is estimated to affect 20 million Americans. OSA is characterized by repeated collapse of the upper airway during sleep, which produces breathing pauses and interruption of the sleep cycle. Symptoms include heavy snoring, many nighttime arousals, sleep deprivation, chronic fatigue and a variety of cardiovascular diseases. While many treatments are advocated for OSA, oral devices have been shown to be effective. Dental technicians and dentists may be involved in the construction of oral appliances for patients with OSA. In this article, a synopsis of various treatment modalities is presented, and the construction of two appliances is described and illustrated.