Effects of nocturnal wearing of dentures on the quality of sleep and oral-health-related quality in edentate elders with untreated sleep apnea: a randomized cross-over trial

Focus of dental sleep medicine on obstructive sleep apnea in older adults: A narrative review

PURPOSE

To review dental sleep medicine in older adults based on the literature.

STUDY SELECTION

This narrative review focuses on sleep physiology, common sleep disorders, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in older adults and their management.

RESULTS

Sleep physiology differs between older and younger adults, with sleep disturbances occurring more frequently in older adults. The prevalence of insomnia increases in older adults due to age-related changes in sleep physiology. Insomnia, sleep-disordered breathing, periodic limb movement disorder, restless legs syndrome, and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder are common sleep disorders in older adults. OSA is more prevalent in older adults, and its effects on them are considered more substantial than those on younger adults. The treatment of older patients with mandibular advancement devices may be less effective and more complex owing to potential impairments in oral and dental health. Furthermore, the prevalence of edentulism in older adults is decreasing while life expectancy is increasing.

CONCLUSIONS

As older adults have comorbidities that affect sleep quality, dentists should consider the effects of sleep physiology and sleep disorders in these patients. OSA may decrease the quality of life and increase the risk of developing other diseases. Therefore, dentists proposing treatment with mandibular advancement devices need to inform patients of their potential lack of efficacy and the requirement for careful follow-up owing to known and unknown side effects.

Denture care and oral health-related quality of life among complete denture wearers in Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to evaluate denture care and hygiene and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among complete denture (CD) wearers in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

METHODOLOGY

This cross-sectional study was conducted on CD wearers in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. A pre-tested questionnaire was administered among study participants. Questionnaire was divided in three sections: (1) patients' demographic data, (2) awareness and maintenance of CD and (3) OHRQoL. Independent sample t-test and one-way ANOVA test were performed.

RESULTS

The study included data of 300 participants with 71% of males and 28% of females. Majority of participants (82.7%) cleaned CD daily, removed CD while sleeping (88.0%) and knew that unhygienic dentures can cause oral infection (92.7%). Only 19.3% used denture cleansing tables, 41% used toothpaste, and 60.7% rinsed CD with water. Regarding OHIP-DENT domains, highest score was for functional limitation domain (2.20 ± 1.67) and the lowest for handicap domain (0.94 ± 1.09). The mean OHIP-DENT score of the sample was 12.02 ± 8.52. Females (p = 0.006), participants below 65 years of age (p = 0.029), non-Saudis (p = 0.042), those with university education (p = 0.030) and low monthly income (p = 0.045) and participants who visited dentist due to problem with CD (p = 0.041) demonstrated significantly higher mean OHIP-DENT score.

CONCLUSION

Majority of participants demonstrated appropriate denture care behaviours because they were aware of the importance of denture care and hygiene. Female gender, age below 65 years, non-Saudi nationality, university education, low monthly income and visiting dentist due to problem were related to poor OHRQoL.

Reliability and accuracy of a semi-automatic segmentation protocol of the nasal cavity using cone beam computed tomography in patients with sleep apnea

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this study included using the cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) technology to assess: (1) intra- and inter-observer reliability of the volume measurement of the nasal cavity; (2) the accuracy of the segmentation protocol for evaluation of the nasal cavity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study used test-retest reliability and accuracy methods within two different population sample groups, from Eastern Asia and North America. Thirty obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients were randomly selected from administrative and research oral health data archived at two dental faculties in China and Canada. To assess the reliability of the protocol, two observers performed nasal cavity volume measurement twice with a 10-day interval, using Amira software (v4.1, Visage Imaging Inc., Carlsbad, CA). The accuracy study used a computerized tomography (CT) scan of an OSA patient, who was not included in the study sample, to fabricate an anthropomorphic phantom of the nasal cavity volume with known dimensions (18.9 ml, gold standard). This phantom was scanned using one NewTom 5G (QR systems, Verona, Italy) CBCT scanner. The nasal cavity was segmented based on CBCT images and converted into standard tessellation language (STL) models. The volume of the nasal cavity was measured on the acquired STL models (18.99 ± 0.066 ml).

RESULTS

The intra-observer and inter-observer intraclass correlation coefficients for the volume measurement of the nasal cavity were 0.980-0.997 and 0.948-0.992 consecutively. The nasal cavity volume measurement was overestimated by 1.1%-3.1%, compared to the gold standard.

CONCLUSIONS

The semi-automatic segmentation protocol of the nasal cavity in patients with sleep apnea and by using cone beam computed tomography is reliable and accurate.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

This study provides a reliable and accurate protocol for segmentation of nasal cavity, which will facilitate the clinician to analyze the images within nasoethmoidal region.

Impact of Complete Denture and Mandibular Advancement Device in the Management of Completely Edentulous Obstructive Sleep Apneic Individuals: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

Statement of the Problem

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is an underdiagnosed and potentially serious disorder that is accentuated by edentulism. The overclosure of the mandible and a potential upper airway collapse during sleep creates challenges in treating edentulous sleep apneic patients.

Purpose

To evaluate complete dentures and mandibular advancement devices as potential oral appliances in the management of sleep apnea in completely edentulous patients.

Materials and Method

The study design was a systematic review with meta-analysis. The search criteria complied with the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and the keywords in population, intervention, control, and outcomes (PICO) format was systematically searched for relevant research articles published till August 2021 in an electronic database (PubMed, Cochrane, Science Direct, Ovid). Randomized controlled trials and cohort studies were included that compared the effectiveness of oral appliances on apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), airway space, and quality of sleep in edentulous sleep apneic patients.

Results

1785 articles were derived from the initial search and based on inclusion criteria, 10 articles were systematically filtered for qualitative analysis and assessed for risk of bias using the Cochrane risk of bias tool and ROBINS-I tool. Out of the 10 articles, 5 articles were taken for quantitative analysis. The use of a mandibular advancement device (MAD) showed a decrease in AHI score, but the available data was heterogeneous to conduct a meta-analysis. The mean difference of AHI for the random effect model between the non-complete denture and complete denture wearers at sleep was -0.49[95% CI (-1.47,0.48)] events per hour, but the change was non-significant (p>.05).

Conclusion

The complete dentures as an oral appliance had reduced apneic episodes in completely edentulous sleep apneic patients, but the effectiveness cannot be solely attributed to the prosthesis in the treatment of OSA. MAD showed greater improvement in reducing AHI, however, the level of evidence was inadequate to provide a conclusive statement.

Airway Phenotypes and Nocturnal Wearing of Dentures in Elders with Sleep Apnea

The objective of this study was to examine to what extent the anatomic characteristics of the upper airway can influence the effect of nocturnal wearing of dentures on the sleep of edentulous elders with untreated sleep apnea. This study used the data from a randomized crossover clinical trial and an exploratory approach to address its objectives. Cone beam computed tomography scans of 65 edentulous individuals (female, n = 37; male, n = 28; mean ± SD age, 74.54 ± 6.42 y) with untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) were used to identify anatomic variables. Polysomnography data were collected by means of one portable overnight recording. The respiratory variable values, including apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), with and without denture worn during sleep were used to calculate the change. Statistical analyses included multiple linear regressions, cluster analysis, and binary logistic regressions. A receiver operator characteristic curve was used to illustrate the accuracy of the statistical model. The regression model explained 15.8% (R²) of AHI change. An increase in the lateral dimension of the minimum cross-sectional area was associated with a decrease in AHI, oxygen desaturation index, and respiratory arousal index changes (P ≤ 0.041). Furthermore, an increase in the length of the hypopharynx was associated with an increase in AHI and oxygen desaturation index changes (P ≤ 0.027). An increase in the lateral dimension of the minimum cross-sectional area of the upper airway was associated with a decreased likelihood of being in the group having a worsened AHI (odds ratio = 0.85; 95% CI, 0.76 to 0.95; P = 0.006). An increase in the length of the oropharynx was associated with an increased likelihood of having increased AHI (odds ratio = 1.10; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.20; P = 0.026). The nocturnal aggravation of respiratory variables in edentulous individuals with OSA who wear dentures at night can be linked to certain anatomic characteristics of the upper airway. Replication of these findings may open novel avenues for personalized advice regarding nocturnal wearing of dentures in edentulous individuals with OSA (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01868295).

Current Denture Loss in Geriatric Facilities

Purpose: Denture loss is still being reported as a problem in geriatric facilities, although losses seem less frequent than in the last decade. However, there have been no reports that have examined recent losses of dentures in detail. The aim of this study was to clarify the actual situation of recent denture loss, together with the denture loss rate in Japan. Materials and methods: This retrospective study investigated the number of cases of denture loss, the denture loss rate for denture wearers, and the details of losses in geriatric facilities during the 1-year period from 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021. Results: Eleven special elderly nursing homes and four group homes participated in this research. The number of residents from each was 315 and 40 and the number of denture wearers was 165 and 33, respectively (p < 0.001). The loss of dentures was found in one case from a special elderly nursing home and in one case from a group home. The loss rate for denture wearers was 1.01% in total, with 0.61% for special elderly nursing homes and 3.03% for group homes, with no significant differences between the two types of facilities. Conclusion: In geriatric facilities in Japan, the current 1-year denture loss rate for denture wearers was 1.01%. This seems to represent a considerable decrease when compared with the previous report. Further, proper denture management and staff efforts appear to have contributed to a reduction in denture loss against a background of promoting oral healthcare.

Three-dimensionally printed duplicate sleeping denture

A patient presented with a treatment plan for the replacement of his maxillary complete removable denture and mandibular implant-retained complete overdenture because of excessive wear and fracture of his existing prostheses. A digital workflow was used, and his dentures were milled from a monolithic acrylic resin disk. Upon delivery of the dentures, the patient reported that he was unable to sleep without his dentures in place although he denied a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea. After emphasizing the recommendation to remove his dentures while sleeping, it was decided to use additive manufacturing technology because of its low cost and ability to faithfully reproduce a 3-dimensional file in various biocompatible materials. The second set of sleeping dentures were 3-dimensionally printed and delivered with minimal adjustment and at a low cost.

The influence of nocturnal use of complete dentures on cardiorespiratory parameters of patients with obstructive sleep apnea: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether wearing complete dentures during sleep influences the cardiorespiratory parameters of patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic review was performed based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines to determine whether wearing complete dentures during sleep influences the cardiorespiratory parameters of patients with OSA. An electronic search was performed in four databases, PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and SCOPUS, and in the gray literature (TRIALS) until November 2021. This review included clinical trials, randomized clinical trials, and studies in which patients using conventional complete dentures were diagnosed with OSA using polysomnography and the cardiorespiratory parameters were measured using oximetry or polysomnography during sleep.

RESULTS

In total, 788 references were found in the database, and 12 articles were selected for full reading. Six articles were selected for qualitative and quantitative analyses after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria and reading the full article. The meta-analysis showed that mean oxygen saturation (SpO₂) increased with the use of complete dentures (p = 0.001), but the other parameters showed no significant differences between those wearing and not wearing dentures during sleep.

CONCLUSIONS

The mean SpO₂ reduced in patients wearing complete dentures, but the other cardiorespiratory parameters evaluated were not affected.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

This study indicates a possible influence of the use of complete dentures on the mean SpO₂ during sleep. The use of complete denture could aid other treatments in improving respiratory and sleep quality.

Comparison of anatomic and aerodynamic characteristics of the upper airway among edentulous mild, moderate, and severe obstructive sleep apnea in older adults

STUDY OBJECTIVES

First, to compare the upper airway's anatomic and aerodynamic characteristics of the edentulous older adults who experience mild, moderate, and severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Second, to examine the correlation between the severity of OSA and the anatomic and aerodynamic characteristic(s) of the upper airway in these edentulous individuals.

METHODS

NewTom5G cone beam computed tomography scans of 58 edentulous individuals with mild, moderate, and severe OSA were included in this analysis. 1) Computational models of the upper airway were reconstructed based on cone beam computed tomography images and the anatomical and aerodynamic characteristics of the upper airway were examined by an observer blind to OSA severity. 2) Pearson correlation analysis was used to determine the correlation between apnea-hypopnea index and the anatomic and aerodynamic characteristics of the upper airway.

RESULTS

Compared with edentulous patients with mild and moderate OSA, those with severe OSA have a more hourglass-shaped upper airway. The severity of OSA, namely, apnea-hypopnea index, was significantly correlated with the length, shape, and minimum cross-sectional area of the upper airway. During inspiration, the mean velocity of the airflow within the upper airway of the edentulous patients with severe OSA was higher than that of patients with mild and moderate OSA. During both inspiration and expiration, apnea-hypopnea index was found to be significantly correlated with maximum velocity (P = .05) and airway resistance (P = .024, 0.038).

CONCLUSIONS

The edentulous patients with severe OSA have a more hourglass-shaped upper airway. The findings also suggest that, during inspiration, the airflow travels faster in edentulous patients with severe OSA than in those with mild or moderate OSA.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

Registry: ClinicalTrials.gov; Name: The Effect of Nocturnal Wear of Dentures on Sleep and Oral Health Related Quality of Life; URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01868295; Identifier: NCT01868295.

CITATION

Chen H, Elham E, Li Y, et al. Comparison of anatomic and aerodynamic characteristics of the upper airway among edentulous mild, moderate, and severe obstructive sleep apnea in older adults. J Clin Sleep Med. 2022;18(3):759-768.