Cephalometric and polysomnographic analyses of functional magnetic system therapy in patients with obstructive sleep apnea

The therapeutic effect of a functional magnetic system on obstructive sleep apnea and the system's operating mechanism have not been examined. Two hyp otheses are postulated: a functional magnetic system increases the size of the oral cavity airway passage, or it increases the pharyngeal space. Twent y-eight patients with mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnea were examine d; 10 patients (9 men and 1 woman; aged, 50.5 +/- 2.6 years) met the study criteria. After baseline nocturnal polysomnography and daytime tiredness se lf-evaluation, a functional magnetic system was inserted. The functional ma gnetic system is a mandibular repositioning appliance that uses a pair of a ttractive magnets (Sm2Co17), placed opposite each other in the jaws, which results in an advancement-to-opening ratio of 1:2. After 8 weeks of functio nal magnetic system treatment, polysomnography, daytime tiredness, and nigh ttime snoring were evaluated, and cephalogram radiographs with and without the appliance were taken. It was found that the respiratory disturbance ind ex decreased significantly; minimal oxygen saturation increased significant ly, reaching a normal value; day time tiredness improved; snoring declined; the oral cavity anterior region increased significantly, and the pharyngea l airway passages did not change. Reduction in the respiratory disturbance index and enlargement of the anterior oral cavity area were highly and sign ificantly correlated. In conclusion, the functional magnetic system is a re liable mandibular repositioning appliance that has no apparent adverse effe cts. A functional magnetic system operates by increasing the anterior regio n of the oral cavity, mainly vertically, with no change in the posterior or al cavity region and pharyngeal airway passages.