Introduction: Obstructive sleep apnea is one of the most common sleep-related breathing disorders and significantly affects our quality of life. It is a chronic condition characterized by repeated interruptions of breathing during sleep due to partial or complete blockage of the upper airway. It occurs at all ages but is most common in overweight adults. There are three categories of treatment options: behavioral changes, patient-worn devices, and surgical interventions. One of the oral appliances used in treatment is the mandibular advancement device. These devices work by mechanically moving the lower jaw forward, thereby increasing the volume of the upper airway and reducing the likelihood of its collapse during sleep. Purpose: The main purpose of this thesis is to compare the laboratory procedures involved in the fabrication of a conventional and a digital oral appliance. We will present the advantages and disadvantages, effectiveness, and potential side effects associated with regular use of oral appliances. A conventional appliance will be made using the traditional method of thermoforming a plastic foil, while the digital appliance will be designed using the 3Shape CAD software and subsequently 3D printed. Methods: In this thesis, we will use the descriptive method by reviewing professional and scientific literature in both Slovene and English. We will use search engines such as Google, PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect to find articles and sources using relevant keywords. A descriptive and analytical approach will be applied, and we will also fabricate two oral appliances for the treatment of sleep apnea. Additionally, we will conduct a time and cost analysis of the production of both appliances. Results: Based on the studies reviewed, we found that the most acceptable and effective method for treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), is the use of an oral appliance. Custom-made and duoblock devices have proven to be the most acceptable in the long term. For the fabrication of the device using the conventional method, we needed 135 minutes and laboratory costs of 59,45€. For the digital fabrication method, we needed 260 minutes and laboratory costs of 4,90€. Discussion and conclusion: Obstructive sleep apnea is a serious and often undiagnosed sleep disorder that can lead to severe cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Mild forms are treated through lifestyle changes, while more severe cases are most effectively treated with a CPCA device, and in some cases surgical treatment is recommended. As a more acceptable alternative, oral appliances are used, with custom-made two-piece devices proving to be the most effective. A comparison of conventional and digital fabrication showed that the Silensor device is faster to produce but more expensive and less suitable for patients with strong jaw muscles. The digitally produced 3D-printed appliance is sturdier, more durable, and suitable for more demanding cases, although it requires more time and expertise to manufacture.
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