Use of a Mandibular Advancement Appliance in Children With Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Summary

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition where the airway becomes partly or fully blocked during sleep. OSA disrupts normal sleep. In children, if left untreated, OSA can affect development and cause serious health issues. Researchers want to see if a device (DynaFlex Dorsal Accu-fit) worn in the mouth can treat OSA in children. Objective: To test the DynaFlex Dorsal Accu-fit in children with OSA. Eligibility: Children aged 6 to 17 years with mild to moderate OSA. Patients with parents or caregivers that cannot understand and/or speak English will be excluded because this study requires care giver-directed at-home device titration, safety monitoring, weekly reporting, and completion of study questionnaires, and the study materials and standardized procedures are currently available only in English. Patients that are currently using a CPAP appliance and are responding well to the treatment. Design: Participants will have 4 scheduled clinic visits over about 5 months. Participants will be screened. Tests will include an exam of the head, face, jaws, mouth and teeth. Participants will have a three dimensional (3D) low radiation x-ray of the head (CBCT), photos of their teeth and face, and digital 3D dental scan. Their parents or caregivers will answer questions about their sleep and breathing problems. Participants will have one overnight sleep study at the NIH to confirm their OSA diagnosis, unless a sleep study was done recently. During the sleep study, sticky pads with sensors will be placed on their face and body, and small tubes will be placed in the nostrils while they sleep. A parent/caregiver will sleep in the same room. The DynaFlex Dorsal Accu-fit will be custom-made for each participant. The device fits on the teeth and holds the lower jaw in a forward position, opening the airway during sleep. There will be an initial adjustment period of 1 to 4 weeks during which the device is adjusted by the parents/caregivers at home in communication with the study team, and the participant gradually gets comfortable wearing the device during sleep. Parents will download an app to record snoring during this period. After this period, the participants will wear their device every night for 4 months. They will have a clinic visit after the 1st month to make sure that everything is ok, and an end-of-study visit where all the initial tests are going to be repeated, including the sleep study.