Linking orthodontic treatment and sleep apnea among adult Indian patients

TL;DR

This study shows that orthodontic treatment can improve airway and posture in Indian adults with sleep apnea and a specific type of malocclusion.

Contribution

The study demonstrates the positive impact of orthodontic therapy on upper airway morphology in OSA patients with skeletal class II high-angle malocclusion.

Findings

Orthodontic treatment significantly increased upper airway dimensions in patients with OSA.

Craniocervical posture and hyoid position improved after orthodontic therapy.

Results suggest orthodontic therapy benefits airway morphology in hyperdivergent skeletal class II malocclusion.

Abstract

The differences in the effects of orthodontic treatment on airway and craniocervical posture in patients with OSA (obstructive sleep
apnea) having skeletal class II high-angle malocclusion is of interest. Hence, 48 individuals with OSA and skeletal class II high-angle
malocclusion were chosen from among all patients in need of orthodontic therapy. Every patients had CBCT (cone beam computed tomography)
taken both before and after receiving orthodontic therapy. All parameters were assessed on the lateral cephalogram from CBCT in order to
assess the indices of craniocervical posture, hyoid position, skeletal and dental conditions. Parameters of upper airway (position of
hyoid) showed statistically significant increase in values after orthodontic treatments. Thus, there was increase in values of dimensions
of upper airway, post orthodontic treatment. Hence, orthodontic therapy help improve the upper airway morphology and craniocervical
posture in patients of OSA with hyperdivergent skeletal class II malocclusion.