Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Diseases: What, When, and Why Is Mandibular Advancement Device Treatment Required? A Short Review.

Obstructive sleep apnea is a potentially dangerous condition with significant risks of comorbidities if left untreated. It represents a cardiovascular risk factor in the general population, and a higher prevalence is observed in patients already suffering from cardiovascular diseases. The gold standard treatment, continuous positive airway pressure, is not always accepted or tolerated.

Mandibular advancement device in Parkinson's disease: a pilot study on efficacy and usability.

Background/objectives: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is efficacious in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). However, this treatment is often not well tolerated in this disabled population. We explored, in a pilot study, the efficacy, observance, and usability of mandibular advancement device (MAD) for the treatment of OSAS in this peculiar population.

[OSA in adults: Role of the mandibular advancement device (MAD)].

Mandibular advancement devices are an alternative to continuous positive airway pressure for patients with mild or moderate obstructive sleep apnea/ hypopnea syndrome (OSA). Oral appliances advance the mandible and tongue, enlarge and stabilize the upper airways during sleep. Clinical examination is used to select candidates for oral appliances and a particular appliance for a given patient.

Biometry of the temporomandibular joint using computerized tomography.

Purpose: In the present study, we performed biometric characterization of the temporomandibular joints (TMJs) of clinically normal subjects.

Methods: Fifty-one healthy volunteers underwent high-resolution computerized tomography examination of the TMJs in the position of maximal intercuspidation according to a standardized protocol. Frontal and sagittal reconstructions were then performed to obtain measurements and indexes in three planes of space.

Internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint: is there still a place for ultrasound?

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of articular sounds, standardized clinical examination, and standardized articular ultrasound in the detection of internal derangements of the temporomandibular joint.

Study Design: Forty patients and 20 asymptomatic volunteers underwent a standardized interview, physical examination, and static and dynamic articular ultrasound. Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values were calculated using magnetic resonance as the reference test.