A cephalometric study on morphological side effects and their prediction in obstructive sleep apnea （OSA） patients treated with long-term usage of oral appliances （OA）

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to clarify the morphological changes in the maxillofacial region due to long-term OA treatment and to identify factors that predict such changes from the initial maxillofacial structure.
Methods: The study subjects were 20 adult male patients with OSA who had been undergoing OA treatment at the Department of Oral Reconstructive Surgery, Niigata University Medical and Dental Hospital for at least 2 years.
Results: A positive correlation was found between the ratio of the S to O distance and the S to N distance at the time of initial examination and the change in facial axis and OB, and a negative correlation with the change in anterior and posterior facial heights.
Conclusions: It is suggested that the ratio of the S to O distance and the S to N distance at the time of initial examination could be used as a measurement item to focus on in predicting clockwise rotation of the mandible caused by long-term usage of OA.