Compliance, titration and side effects of oral appliances in snoring and obstructive sleep apnea patients

Long-term compliance, titration modalities and side effects of oral appliances (OAs), used for the management of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), have been investigated in a large sample of subjects. The majority of patients were compliant with OA treatment (64.1%) after a mean period of 5.7 years. The most frequent reasons why patients discontinued wear were uncomfortable (44.4%), had little or no effect (33.6%), or switched to nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (23.3%). Side effects, such as dry mouth and tooth and/or jaw discomfort, were more frequent and more severe in non-compliant subjects (p