ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: To evaluate the effects of clear aligner therapy (CAT) on the upper airway dimensions and on daytime sleepiness in adults with dentoskeletal Class II malocclusion. METHODS: This study was conducted from August 2017 to February 2019. Inclusion criteria were healthy adults≥18years old, Angle Class II division 1 malocclusion, first-molar relationship of end-to-end or greater, overjet<10mm, and presenting for multi-arch comprehensive orthodontic treatment with aligners. Treatment mechanics included mandibular dentoalveolar advancement with Class II elastics without maxillary sequential distalization programmed into aligners. Post-treatment changes in dentoskeletal and upper airway dimensions were assessed using CBCT images. The treatment effect on daytime sleepiness was evaluated using an Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). RESULTS: Eight subjects were included in this pilot study (mean age at treatment initiation=44.6years [SD=15.3]). The mean treatment duration was 12.2months (SD=3.4). No statistically significant treatment changes were observed in upper airway dimensions or dentoskeletal cephalometric analyses. Subjects with excessive daytime sleepiness at pre-treatment reported an improvement post-treatment, but no significant difference in the mean ESS score was found. CONCLUSION: Treatment of Class II division 1 malocclusion in adults by mandibular dentoalveolar advancement using CAT has no statistically significant effects on the airway and dentoskeletal measurements, or daytime sleepiness.
Subject(s)
Disorders of Excessive Somnolence/prevention & control , Malocclusion, Angle Class II/pathology , Malocclusion, Angle Class II/therapy , Orthodontic Appliances, Removable , Pharynx/anatomy & histology , Tooth Movement Techniques , Adult , Cephalometry , Cone-Beam Computed Tomography , Disorders of Excessive Somnolence/etiology , Female , Humans , Male , Malocclusion, Angle Class II/complications , Malocclusion, Angle Class II/diagnostic imaging , Pharynx/diagnostic imaging , Pilot Projects , Young AdultABSTRACT
ARTICLE TITLE AND BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION: The effect of teeth extraction for orthodontic treatment on the upper airway: a systematic review. Hu Z, Yin X, Liao J, Zhou C, Yang Z, Zou S. Sleep Breath 2015;19(2):441-51. SOURCE OF FUNDING: The review was supported by the National Nature Science Foundation of China and the Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education in China. TYPE OF STUDY/DESIGN: Systematic review.
