A Removable Snore Reduction Appliance for a Mandibular Edentulous Patient
A snore reduction appliance can be constructed for the atrophic mandibular edentulous patient. Two endosseous implants can be surgically placed that retain a complete mandibular denture and, in turn, an overlying bimaxillary removable snore reduction appliance. A dual laminate appliance is vacu-form fitted to the maxillary teeth and the mandibular denture and luted in a protrusive relation with cold cure acrylic. The appliance maintains the mandible in a protrusive position to open the upper airway to reduce snoring.Abstract
Two mandibular implants were placed with denture retainers.
Figure 2. The appliance was made of dual laminate, soft and hard sided, vinyl and vacu-formed to the mounted casts. Figure 3. Anterior view of the snore reduction appliance. Figure 4. Lateral-superior view of the snore reduction appliance. Figure 5. The appliance was delivered to the patient and had an adequate opening for air flow through the mouth.
Figure 6. The genioglossus muscle tendon displays as the lingual frenum. Figure 7. The mandible is placed in a protrusive relation to create more pharyngeal airway space to prevent or reduce vibration of the soft palate during sleep that would produce snoring.
Contributor Notes
Dennis Flanagan, DDS, is in private practice in Willimantic, Conn. Address correspondence to Dr Dennis Flanagan at 1671 West Main Street, Willimantic, CT 06226. (e-mail: dffdds@charter.net)