Orthodontic Removable Appliance with Posterior Bite Plane Use is not Associated with Developing Sleep-Disordered Breathing Symptoms in Healthy Children.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the development of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) symptoms and the relationship between the amount of increased vertical dimension and severity of SDB symptoms in healthy children wearing orthodontic removable appliances with posterior bite planes.<br/>

Methods

The Obstructive Sleep Apnea-18 (OSA-18) questionnaire and Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ) were used as data collecting tools. The questionnaires were filled out by 16 parents of children who had an anterior crossbite with Class I skeletal pattern. The data were collected three times: one month pre-insertion of the appliance; one day post-insertion; and one month post-insertion.<br/>

Results

There were no significant differences between the OSA-18 or PSQ results collected at different times. Pearson's correlation revealed no significant relationship between the posterior bite plane thickness and the difference in scores (P>0.05).<br/>

Conclusion

Short-term treatment using such appliances does not initiate SDB symptoms, and the amount of increased posterior bite plane thickness does not relate to the severity of SDB symptoms. (J Dent Child 2019;86(3):145-9).