Published in:
Open Access 01-09-2017 | Sleep Breathing Physiology and Disorders • Original Article
Changes in lower incisor irregularity during treatment with oral sleep apnea appliances
Published in: Sleep and Breathing | Issue 3/2017
Login to get accessAbstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that a flexible oral appliance without incisor coverage (OAFlex) increases the irregularity of the front teeth compared with a rigid appliance with incisor coverage (OARigid) in patients treated for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Method and patients
Nineteen patients (10 men) who had used OARigid and 22 patients (19 men) who had used OAFlex with a median age of 61 years (IQR of 56 to 67 years) who had been treated during a median period of 2.9 years (IQR of 2.7 to 3.1 years) were included in the study. There was no difference in age (p = 0.601) or treatment time (p = 0.432) between the two appliance groups. The patients had clinical examinations, responded to a questionnaire, and had impressions taken for plaster casts. The irregularity of the front teeth was measured by Little’s Index, where the combined linear displacement of all the front teeth is assessed. Changes between baseline and follow-up were compared between the two groups.
Results
The OAFlex group increased the irregularity of their lower front teeth by 0.3 mm (p = 0.018), while the OARigid group had unchanged frontal irregularity (p = 0.717). The difference between the groups was significant (p = 0.035). There were no changes in the irregularity of the upper front teeth in either group. Patient satisfaction with treatment did not differ between the two appliances.
Conclusions
The present results support the hypothesis that a flexible OA without incisor coverage increases the irregularity of the lower front teeth compared with a rigid OA with incisor coverage.