Abstract

CARLOS VILLAFRANCA, Félix de; COBO PLANA, Juan; FERNANDEZ MONDRAGON, Mª Pilar  and  DIAZ ESNAL, Belén. Relationship between malocclusion and increase in airways using a dental device in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome . RCOE [online]. 2002, vol.7, n.4, pp.359-364. ISSN 1138-123X.

The mandibular advancing devices can nowadays be deemed a valid alternative for the treatment of some selected cases of patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS). Their effectiveness in the various published series shows very variable response percentages, ranging between 40-60%. There are also some patients who, after this appliance is placed, not only show no improvement in the obstructive manifestations, but even substantial increases in the AHI index. The objective of this study is to consider whether the dental malocclusion and/or skeletal pattern variable is related to the MAD success or failure. Material and Method: In this study we have evaluated the effectiveness of the intraoral appliance in the treatment of OSAS in a sample of 58 patients, afflicted with OSAS, who presented different malocclusions. Results: Normocclusion patients presented an increase of all the cephalometric variables with the appliance, individuals with open bite did not show significant differences and in the overbite patients a significant decrease could be observed (p<0.0001). Conclusion: The type of dento-skeletal malocclusion has an influence on the success or failure of the oral appliances in the treatment of OSAS patients. 

Keywords : Upper airway; Sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome; Oral appliances; Mandibular advancing devices.