A pilot study to evaluate posttreatment cephalometric changes in subjects with OSA
Statement of problem
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a life-threatening condition that is diagnosed and evaluated primarily by polysomnography (PSG). The procedure is time consuming, expensive, and inconvenient for the patient, and may not be universally available.
Purpose
The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate posttreatment results on lateral cephalograms in patients with OSA.
Material and methods
Lateral cephalograms of 16 patients diagnosed with OSA were made at the beginning of treatment and 4-6 weeks following treatment. Treatment modalities used in the study were the mandibular advancement device (MAD) and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy (n=8). Pharyngeal dimensions, soft palate area and angle, and hyoid bone position were recorded for the comparisons. The data were analyzed using Student's t test for the parametric analysis (α=.05).
Results
A significant increase in the pharyngeal area (P<.001), a significant decrease in the soft palate area (P<.001), and vertical changes in the hyoid position were observed, with no significant change in the anteroposterior position of the hyoid bone.
Conclusions
Within the limitations of this pilot study, lateral cephalograms were shown to be useful in evaluating treatment efficacy in subjects with OSA. (J Prosthet Dent 2010;103:170-177)
aLecturer, Department of Prosthodontics and Dental Material Sciences, Career Post Graduate Institute of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Faculty of Dental Sciences and Faculty of Medicine, Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
bProfessor and Head, Department of Prosthodontics and Dental Material Sciences, Faculty of Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dental Sciences and Faculty of Medicine, Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
cAssistant Professor, Department of Prosthodontics and Dental Material Sciences, Faculty of Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dental Sciences and Faculty of Medicine, Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
dProfessor, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Dental Sciences and Faculty of Medicine, Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
eAssociate Professor, Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dental Sciences and Faculty of Medicine, Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
fProfessor, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Dental Sciences and Faculty of Medicine, Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
Corresponding author: Dr Deeksha Arya c/o Dr Saumyendra V. Singh, 2/273, Viram Khand, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow, U.P., INDIA, PIN 226 010, Fax: +91-522-2254555
ABSTRACT