At MAKÜ Faculty of Dentistry, sleep apnea appliances are now being produced with 3D technology.

Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University (MAKÜ) Dentistry Practice and Research Center Hospital has made a significant innovation in the treatment of sleep apnea and snoring. The Faculty of Dentistry at MAKÜ now produces dental appliances specifically prepared for patients using 3D printer technology. In this way, the treatment process for patients, especially those coming from outside the city, is both accelerated and made more comfortable.

Head Physician of MAKÜ Dentistry Practice and Research Center Hospital, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Melih ÜLGEY, provided information about the new application. Ülgey stated that dental appliances are increasingly used in the treatment process of patients diagnosed with sleep apnea, saying, “Patients are usually referred to us after spending a night in sleep laboratories for diagnosis. However, some patients also apply directly with complaints of snoring, and the majority of these patients come from outside the city. This situation has created the need to accelerate the process.”

Expressing that they have digitized the appliance production process in response to this need, Ülgey said, “We take the patient's lower and upper jaw closure relationship with special digital cameras. With the special index system we developed, we position the jaws in the correct position. Based on the digital data we obtain, our dental technicians design custom appliances for the individual. These designs can be produced via 3D printers.”

Emphasizing that thanks to the innovative approach, appliances can be delivered to patients coming from outside the city on the same day, Ülgey said, “By organizing appointments for patients who apply in the morning according to this plan, we eliminate the need for accommodation and accelerate the treatment process,” stating that the application contributes to patient satisfaction and treatment success.