Prosthetic therapy for sleep apnea syndrome.

Twenty patients with sleep apnea syndrome were examined polysomnographically with and without an Esmarch sleep apnea appliance. The relationship between the therapeutic effect of the device and dentofacial morphologic characteristics of the patients were analyzed with the use of diagnostic casts and cephalometric radiographs. The apnea index or number of apneic episodes per hour decreased significantly (p < 0.0001) after insertion of the appliance. The diagnostic casts and cephalometric analyses revealed that the device was most effective for patients who exhibit a tendency toward micrognathia (p < 0.03) and a short soft palate (p < 0.01). The Esmarch appliance is indicated for the treatment or diagnosis of sleep apnea syndrome.