Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry
Volume 76, Issue 3 , Pages 273-281, September 1996

Effects of electrical stimulation to the soft palate on snoring and obstructive sleep apnea

  • Richard S Schwartz, DDS (Associate Professor)

      Affiliations

    • Corresponding Author InformationReprint requests to: Dr. Richard S. Schwartz Department of General Dentistry UTHSCSA-Dental School 7703 Floyd Curl Dr. San Antonio, TX 78284-7914
    • Department of General Dentistry, Dental School, University of Texas at San Antonio. Dental School, San Antonio, Tex, USA.
    • ,
  • Norman N Salome, BA (Dental Student)

      Affiliations

    • University of Texas at San Antonio. Dental School, San Antonio, Tex, USA.
    • ,
  • Paul T Ingmundon, PhD (Staff Psychologist)

      Affiliations

    • Audie L. Murphy Veterans Administration Hospital, San Antonio, Tex, USA.
    • ,
  • John D Rugh, PhD (Acting Chair)

      Affiliations

    • Department of Orthodontics, Dental School, University of Texas at San Antonio. Dental School San Antonio, Tex, USA.

Abstract 

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a disorder and has been associated with social and physical problems. Many treatments of OSA have been proposed with various levels of success. Seven patients with histories of snoring and OSA participated in this pilot study to evaluate the effects of electrical stimulation to the soft palate. Each patient slept with a palatal appliance that delivered a weak electrical stimulus to the soft palate on activation. A 3 miliampere stimulus in the range of 9 to 10 volts was found to be effective in terminating snoring without causing patient arousal. The effects of the stimulus on OSA were variable. The results of this study indicated that electrical stimulation of the soft palate may be effective as a treatment for snoring and OSA and warrants further investigation.

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PII: S0022-3913(96)90171-7

Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry
Volume 76, Issue 3 , Pages 273-281, September 1996

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