Comprehensive clinical application of new oral appliance for obstructive sleep apnea

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24593094
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Orthodontic/Pediatric dentistry
• Research Institution: Hiroshima University
• Principal Investigator: UEDA Hiroshi 広島大学, 大学病院, 講師 (20304446)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 睡眠時無呼吸症候群 / 口腔内装置

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the upper airway soft-tissue structures in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients following oral appliance (OA) treatment by means of cephalometric radiograph (CR) and computed tomography (CT) analysis. Study Design: CR and CT data were taken of each patient at T1 (prior to the placement of the OA) and T2 (after OA treatment). Tracings of the lateral cephalometric radiographs were made on acetate paper, and several soft-tissue points and contours of the tongue, soft palate, hyoid, and pharynx were digitised. For CT data, the upper airway widths and dimensions and were measured and analyzed by medical software (OsiriX ver.3.7/3.9) on the monitor. Results: The sizes of the oropharynx and the area of soft palate tip showed considerable increases after OA use in CR analysis. In CT data, the pharyngeal airway soft tissue structures of OSA patients using the OA showed enlargement of the oropharynx and hypopharynx dimensions.

Free Research Field

歯科矯正学