Oral appliances for obstructive sleep apnea: Emerging issues, upcoming challenges, and possible solutions

BACKGROUND: As per the current epidemiological studies, the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among the adult population is very high. Oral appliances (OAs) have emerged as the most recommended alternative treatment option for mild to moderate OSA. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this article is to propose or develop a new design of OA named “customized maxillary oral appliance (CMOA),” for managing moderate OSA syndrome. METHODS: The design proposed in this article is first of its kind that is fabricated on the maxillary arch. CMOA is developed by combining the principles of the three most popular OAs used in OSA, namely, soft palate lifters, tongue retaining devices, and mandibular advancement devices. CONCLUSIONS: Given the potential impact of OSA on general and mental health and the side effects of existing appliances, there is a need for a new remedy to be introduced in the field of sleep medicine. This novel design can provide a new therapeutic option for patients with moderate OSA.