Effectiveness of functional orthopedic appliances as an alternative treatment among children and adolescents with obstructive sleep apnea: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Management of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome in children: what is the role of orthodontics? A scoping review

PURPOSE

Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAHS) is a respiratory disorder that greatly affects the health and quality of life of patients. OSAHS affects up to 5.7% of children aged up to 18 years old, and its prevalence is doubled in children with risk factors such as obesity, craniofacial syndromes, Prader-Willi syndrome or trisomy 21. The most common aetiology of OSAHS in children is tonsil hypertrophy, and the first line treatment proposed for the majority of patients is the surgical removal of these tonsils. However, the risk of residual OSAHS after surgery is approximately 10-20%, and, thus, other therapeutic options are being developed to improve patient care. The objective of this scoping review is to assess the extent of the evidence regarding the effectiveness of the different types of treatments offered for OSAHS in children.

METHODS

Relevant studies over a 13 year period were identified using three search engines: PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science. The selection of studies was made using previously defined inclusion and exclusion criteria based on a review of the title and abstracts initially, followed by a full reading of the texts. The studies were classified based on their design and following the grades and level of scientific proof defined by the Health High Authority.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine manuscripts were included for synthesis. The first-line treatment proposed for the majority of patients with OSAHS is surgical removal of the tonsils, but the risk of residual OSAHS after surgery remains significant, and other less invasive options, such as orthodontics, are also useful for improving the management of these patients.

CONCLUSION

OSAHS treatment recommendations should consider orthodontic treatment as a minimally invasive approach with beneficial effects.

Annual review of selected scientific literature: A report of the Committee on Scientific Investigation of the American Academy of Restorative Dentistry

The Scientific Investigation Committee of the American Academy of Restorative Dentistry offers this review of select 2023 dental literature to briefly touch on several topics of interest to modern restorative dentistry. Each committee member brings discipline-specific expertize in their subject areas that include (in order of appearance here): prosthodontics; periodontics, alveolar bone, and peri-implant tissues; dental materials and therapeutics; occlusion and temporomandibular disorders; sleep-related breathing disorders; oral medicine, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and oral radiology; and dental caries and cariology. The authors have focused their efforts on presenting information likely to influence the daily dental treatment decisions of the reader with an emphasis on current innovations, new materials and processes, emerging technology, and future trends in dentistry. With the overwhelming volume of literature published daily in dentistry and related disciplines, this review cannot be comprehensive. Instead, its purpose is to inform and update interested readers and provide valuable resource material for those willing to subsequently pursue greater detail on their own. Our intent remains to assist colleagues in navigating the tremendous volume of newly minted information produced annually. Finally, we hope readers find this work helpful in providing evidence-based care to patients seeking healthier and happier lives.

Effectiveness of mandibular advancement orthodontic appliances with maxillary expansion device in children with obstructive sleep apnea: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

The current review aims to explore the evidence regarding the effectiveness of mandibular advancement orthodontic appliances with maxillary expansion device in treating pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, Cochrane Central, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus databases, Chinese Biomedical Database, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang. The research involved children and adolescents (under 16 years old) who received mandibular advancement and maxillary expansion functional orthopedic appliances for OSA treatment. We performed narrative reviews and subsequently amalgamated the findings from the studies.

RESULTS

Six articles were included for review. Although a small number of studies were included, the research suggested the potential advantages of mandibular advancement for children with OSA. Following treatment, there was a decrease in AHI/RDI, an improvement in sleep quality, and the increase in oxygen saturation.

CONCLUSIONS

The limited quantity and quality of existing studies necessitate caution when drawing conclusions about the effectiveness of mandibular advancement and maxillary expansion for OSA. In the future, larger and well-designed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are needed to provide more robust evidence. Patients should be carefully selected, and their orthodontic indications should be thoroughly evaluated before inclusion in such trials.We encourage researchers to design studies that monitor patients over several years to provide a comprehensive understanding of the long-term effectiveness.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This study was registered in PROSPERO(CRD42023480407) on November 20, 2023.

Upper airways changes associated with orthodontic molar distalization by Pendulum appliance in adolescent patients: a multicenter retrospective cephalometric study

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this multicenter retrospective study was to perform a two-dimensional analysis of upper airway changes in adolescent patients following molar distalization with the Pendulum appliance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study involved the cephalometric analysis of 88 patients, retrospectively categorized into two groups: skeletal Class II with a dental Class II molar relationship (36 patients, mean age 12.6 ± 1.1 years) and skeletal Class I with a dental Class II molar relationship (54 patients, mean age 12.3 ± 1.2 years). Changes were observed using lateral radiographs before (T0) and after Pendulum appliance removal (T1); treatment time averaged 7 months. Upper airways were subsequently analyzed by tracing lateral radiographs. The Shapiro-Wilk test showed a normal distribution of the data, therefore parametric tests were used for statistical analysis. Intragroup changes between T0 and T1 were evaluated using paired t-tests, and intergroup differences were assessed using independent student t-tests; statistical significance was set at 0.05.

RESULTS

Statistically significant differences were observed in the skeletal measurements that characterized both groups, particularly in ANB and Wits appraisal, at T0 (P < 0.001). After molar distalization, Class I and Class II groups reported no statistically significant differences with changes almost equal to zero between timepoints (P > 0.05). Additionally, intergroup comparisons of airway changes at T1 did not show statistically significant differences (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The Pendulum appliance does not significantly change the upper airway dimensions in Class I and Class II malocclusion patients, thereby minimizing potential respiratory risks.

Practices and Perception of Paediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea Among Orthodontists and Paediatric Dentists in Brazil: A Mixed-Methods Study

OBJECTIVES

To explore orthodontists' (OTs) and paediatric dentists' (PDs) practices and perceptions regarding the screening and management of paediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

METHODS

This explanatory sequential mixed methods design included OTs and PDs with active clinical practice in Brazil and encompassed a quantitative phase followed by a qualitative phase. In the quantitative phase, a survey assessing OSA screening and management practices was administered to OTs and PDs practicing in Brazil. Information-rich OTs and PDs were interviewed in the qualitative phase. Descriptive statistics and the chi-square test were used to analyse the survey data, while inductive content analysis was applied to the interview data. The results from both phases were integrated and reported narratively.

RESULTS

Three hundred eighty-one OTs and PDs completed the survey, and ten of them were interviewed. Nearly half of OTs and PDs administered sleep questionnaires and demonstrated some knowledge about paediatric OSA signs and symptoms. PDs and OTs primarily offered rapid maxillary expansion and functional mandibular advancement for managing selected children with OSA, with OTs being more frequently involved in this task than PDs. OTs and PDs identified several barriers and expressed the need for support regarding access to reliable screening tools and interprofessional care.

CONCLUSION

Brazilian OTs and PDs were aware of the main signs and symptoms of paediatric OSA and were somewhat involved in offering oral appliance management options. To further define the role of these professionals, increasing support for dental professionals in OSA management and updating existing clinical guidelines is warranted.

The role of atypical deglutition in children and adolescents with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the prevalence of atypical deglutition (tongue thrust) in children diagnosed with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and to explore its associations, particularly in relation to the type of dentition (mixed or permanent). The study was conducted over a 5 year period at a paediatric hospital in Paris, France. Children aged 6-18 years with moderate to severe OSAS (apnea-hypopnea index ≥5/h) underwent a comprehensive evaluation, including the recording of demographic data, symptoms of snoring and breathing issues, and otolaryngology examination. The swallowing pattern was assessed and orthodontic evaluations were performed. Cephalometric radiography and pharyngometry tests (pharyngeal collapsibility was computed) were conducted. The study found a high prevalence of atypical deglutition in children with mixed 74% [56-87] or permanent 38% [25-51] dentition. In children with mixed dentition and atypical deglutition, the pharyngeal compliance and lower facial dimensions were increased. In children with permanent dentition, atypical deglutition was associated with more severe OSAS and a lower hyoid bone position. Independent of the type of dentition, atypical deglutition was associated with an increase in the apnea-hypopnea index, an increase in the lower facial dimension, increased pharyngeal compliance, and a more caudal hyoid bone position. Atypical deglutition was strongly associated with increased pharyngeal collapsibility, more severe OSAS and altered facial measurements in children. The findings suggest that identifying atypical deglutition in children with OSAS could help to guide a personalised therapeutic approach, including myofunctional therapy.

The enigma of sleep: Implications of sleep neuroscience for the dental clinician and patient

BACKGROUND

Sleep disturbances have been shown to result in considerable morbidity and mortality. It is important for dental clinicians to understand the neuroscience behind sleep disorders.

TYPES OF STUDIES REVIEWED

The authors conducted a search of the literature published from January 1990 through March 2024 of sleep medicine-related articles, with a focus on neuroscience. The authors prioritized articles about the science of sleep as related to dental medicine.

RESULTS

The authors found a proliferation of articles related to sleep neuroscience along with its implications in dental medicine. The authors also found that the intricate neuroscientific principles of sleep medicine are being investigated robustly. The salient features of, and the differences between, central and obstructive sleep apneas have been elucidated. Sleep genes, such as CRY, PER1, PER2, and CLOCK, and their relationship to cancer and neurodegeneration are also additions to this rapidly developing science.

CONCLUSIONS AND PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

The dental clinician has the potential to be the first to screen patients for possible sleep disorders and make prompt referrals to the appropriate medical professionals. This can be lifesaving as well as minimize potential future morbidity for the patient.