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

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.