[Orthodontic appliances in the treatment of sleep apnea: a cephalometric and polysomnographic study]

Abstract

Aim: Effects of oral appliances on snoring in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome: correlation between cephalometry with and without oral appliance (OA) in place.

Subjects: 15 patients were treated with 3 types of OA: Herbst, tooth positioner and QuietKnight.

Methods: All patients underwent a full-night diagnostic polysomnography. They were asked to use their OA each night during one month. All the subjects then underwent a second polysomnography with the OA in place. Standard cephalometric analysis was done in each patient with and without the OA in place.

Results: Although average apnea-hypopnea index decreased significantly, snoring was not affected by the OA. Only in 7 patients a reduction was observed. There was a strong correlation between the change in snoring index during sleep and 2 cephalometric variables: ANB angle without, and overjet with the OA in place. No change in quality of sleep was observed.

Conclusion: OA are indeed effective in decreasing the number of obstructive apneas and hypopneas, without affecting the quality of sleep. Snoring reduction with OA may be predicted by cephalometry.