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Clinical Oral Investigations

Published in:

01-06-2013 | Original Article

Effects of open mouth and rubber dam on upper airway patency and breathing

Authors: Kazuhiro Iwatani, Koichiro Matsuo, Soichiro Kawase, Nina Wakimoto, Akira Taguchi, Tadashi Ogasawara

Published in: Clinical Oral Investigations | Issue 5/2013

Abstract

Objectives

Rubber dams increase the quality and safety of dental treatment. However, the condition of a rubber dam over an open mouth may also obstruct the route for respiration. We tested whether an open mouth with or without a rubber dam would affect upper airway patency and breathing pattern.

Materials and methods

Twenty young healthy volunteers were imaged with a magnetic resonance (MR) system under three conditions: mouth closed, mouth open, and rubber dam with mouth open. Respiration was concurrently monitored with plethysmography. MRI slices of the upper airway were obtained at 5-mm thicknesses, and the size of the cross-sectional area of the upper airway was measured by image analysis software. Respiratory cycle duration and tidal volume were also measured with digital signal analysis software.

Results

The volume of the upper airway became significantly decreased with the mouth open. Analysis of each cross-sectional area of the upper airway revealed that while the oropharyngeal area was significantly narrower with an open mouth, the retropalatal and hypopharyngeal areas were not affected. Placing a rubber dam had no additional influence on upper airway patency but was seen to significantly shorten mean respiratory duration and decrease tidal volume.

Conclusions

Open mouth position plays the largest role in decreased upper airway patency, and open mouth position with a rubber dam may further disrupt breathing pattern.

Clinical relevance

Breathing pattern may become deteriorated by airway obstruction during dental treatments requiring a rubber dam.

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Title: Effects of open mouth and rubber dam on upper airway patency and breathing
Authors: Kazuhiro Iwatani
Koichiro Matsuo
Soichiro Kawase
Nina Wakimoto
Akira Taguchi
Tadashi Ogasawara
Publication date: 01-06-2013
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Clinical Oral Investigations / Issue 5/2013
Print ISSN: 1432-6981
Electronic ISSN: 1436-3771
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-012-0810-5

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Springer Medicine

Effects of open mouth and rubber dam on upper airway patency and breathing

Abstract

Objectives

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusions

Clinical relevance

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusions

Clinical relevance

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