COVID-19 and dental sleep medicine: risks, precautions and patient guidance.

COVID-19 is the offcial name for the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, which has become a pandemic, infecting more than 5 million people worldwide. Transmission occurs by inhaling droplets generated when an infected person coughs, sneezes or exhales, or by touching contaminated surfaces and then rubbing their hands over their eyes, nose or mouth. Some infected people become seriously ill, while others have no symptoms, but even though they are asymptomatic, they can still transmit the virus. As vaccines and effective medications do not yet exist, the only way to handle the devastating consequences of the pandemic is prevention. Quality of sleep is essential for the immune system to be prepared to receive, fight and restore itself after a viral infection. Therefore, patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) should continue treatment, and only suspend or change the therapeutic modality under the guidance of a sleep physician. In the era of COVID-19, due to the high probability of contamination promoted by CPAP, the mandibular repositioning device has been considered as the first choice for patients with OSA. However, as the dental approach is at high risk of contamination, due to the proximity of the dental surgeon to the patient, it is essential that the professional who works in this field knows the risks to which they are exposed. Precautions must be adopted and patients should be guided in order to control and use of their intraoral devices.

Obstructive sleep apnea prevents the expected difference in craniofacial growth of boys and girls.

OBJECTIVES: It was to compare cephalometric measures of mouth-breather boys and girls and with the cephalometric pattern observed in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) patients. METHODS: Craniofacial measurements of lateral cephalometric radiographs obtained from 144 children aged 7-14 years were compared between boys and girls, and both were compared to cephalometric pattern of OSAS patients. RESULTS: Mouth-breather boys and girls had no gender differences regarding to craniofacial morphology while nose-breather boys and girls showed those expected differences. Nose-breather boys presented a more retruded mandible and proinclined upper incisor when compared to nose-breather girls, but mouth-breather boys and girls had no differences. The measure NS.GoGn was the only variable with an interaction with gender and breathing. CONCLUSIONS: There were no cephalometric difference in mouth breather-boys and girls related to normal growth, suggesting that oral breathing make the same craniofacial morphology and both have craniofacial morphology close to that of OSAS patients.

Obstructive sleep apnea prevents the expected difference in craniofacial growth of boys and girls / A apneia obstrutiva do sono impede a esperada diferença de crescimento cranofacial de meninos e meninas

OBJECTIVES: It was to compare cephalometric measures of mouth-breather boys and girls and with the cephalometric pattern observed in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) patients. METHODS: Craniofacial measurements of lateral cephalometric radiographs obtained from 144 children aged 7-14 years were compared between boys and girls, and both were compared to cephalometric pattern of OSAS patients. RESULTS: Mouth-breather boys and girls had no gender differences regarding to craniofacial morphology while nose-breather boys and girls showed those expected differences. Nose-breather boys presented a more retruded mandible and proinclined upper incisor when compared to nose-breather girls, but mouth-breather boys and girls had no differences. The measure NS.GoGn was the only variable with an interaction with gender and breathing. CONCLUSIONS: There were no cephalometric difference in mouth breather-boys and girls related to normal growth, suggesting that oral breathing make the same craniofacial morphology and both have craniofacial morphology close to that of OSAS patients.

OBJETIVOS: Foi comparar medidas cefalométricas entre meninos e meninas respiradores bucais com o padrão cefalométrico de pacientes com síndrome da apneia obstrutiva do sono (SAOS). MÉTODOS: Medidas craniofaciais de radiografias cefalométricas laterais de 144 crianças com idade entre 7 e 14 anos foram comparadas entre meninos e meninas, e estas comparadas com o padrão cefalométrico de pacientes com SAOS. RESULTADOS: Meninos e meninas respiradores bucais não apresentaram diferenças em relação à morfologia craniofacial, enquanto meninos e meninas respiradores nasais mostraram as diferenças fisiologicamente esperadas. Meninos respiradores nasais apresentaram mandíbula mais retraída e incisivos superiores inclinados para frente quando comparados com meninas respiradoras nasais, mas os respiradores bucais não apresentaram diferenças. A medida NS.GoGn foi a única variável com interação entre gênero e tipo de respiração. CONCLUSÕES: Não houve diferença cefalométrica entre os respiradores bucais em relação ao crescimento craniofacial, sugerindo que a respiração bucal determina a mesma morfologia, e ambos os gêneros têm morfologia craniofacial semelhante àquela dos pacientes com SAOS.

Mouth breathing children have cephalometric patterns similar to those of adult patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether mouth breathing children present the same cephalometric patterns as patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). METHOD: Cephalometric variables were traced and measured on vertical lateral cephalometric radiographs. The cephalometric measurements of 52 mouth and 90 nose breathing children were compared with apneic patients. The children had not undergone adenoidectomy or tonsillectomy and had not had or were not receiving orthodontic or orthopedic treatment. RESULTS: Mouth breathing children showed same cephalometric pattern observed in patients with OSAS: a tendency to have a retruded mandible (p=0.05), along with greater inclination of the mandibular and occlusal planes (p<0.01) and a tendency to have greater inclination of the upper incisors (p=0.08). The nasopharyngeal and posterior airway spaces were greatly reduced in mouth breathing children, as observed in patients with apnea (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Mouth breathing children present abnormal cephalometric parameters and their craniofacial morphology resembles that of patients with OSAS.

Mouth breathing children have cephalometric patterns similar to those of adult patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome / Crianças respiradoras bucais apresentam padrão cefalométrico semelhante àquele observado em pacientes adultos com síndrome da apnéia obstrutiva do sono

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether mouth breathing children present the same cephalometric patterns as patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). METHOD: Cephalometric variables were traced and measured on vertical lateral cephalometric radiographs. The cephalometric measurements of 52 mouth and 90 nose breathing children were compared with apneic patients. The children had not undergone adenoidectomy or tonsillectomy and had not had or were not receiving orthodontic or orthopedic treatment. RESULTS: Mouth breathing children showed same cephalometric pattern observed in patients with OSAS: a tendency to have a retruded mandible (p=0.05), along with greater inclination of the mandibular and occlusal planes (p<0.01) and a tendency to have greater inclination of the upper incisors (p=0.08). The nasopharyngeal and posterior airway spaces were greatly reduced in mouth breathing children, as observed in patients with apnea (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Mouth breathing children present abnormal cephalometric parameters and their craniofacial morphology resembles that of patients with OSAS.

OBJETIVO: Determinar se crianças respiradoras bucais apresentam o mesmo padrão cefalométrico que os pacientes que tem síndrome da apnéia obstrutiva do sono (SAOS). MÉTODO: Foram traçadas radiografias laterais verticais da cabeça para a mensuração das variáveis cefalométricas. As medidas cefalométricas de 52 crianças respiradoras bucais e de 90 crianças respiradoras nasais foram comparadas à de pacientes com apnéia. Foram excluídas as crianças que haviam sido submetidas à cirurgia de remoção de amídalas ou adenóides, ou que haviam recebido tratamento ortodôntico prévio ou em andamento. RESULTADOS: As crianças respiradoras bucais apresentaram o mesmo padrão cefalométrico observado em pacientes com SAOS: tendência a ter retrusão de mandíbula (p=0,05), assim como uma maior inclinação dos planos mandibular e oclusal (p<0,01) e tendência a ter maior inclinação dos incisivos superiores (p=0,08). O espaço da nasofaringe e o espaço aéreo posterior se apresentaram muito diminuídos nas crianças respiradoras bucais, como é observado em pacientes com SAOS (p<0,01). CONCLUSÃO: Crianças respiradoras bucais apresentam padrão cefalométrico alterado e sua morfologia craniofacial é semelhante àquela observada em pacientes com SAOS.

Polysomnographic findings are associated with cephalometric measurements in mouth-breathing children.

OBJECTIVES: Children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy and those with an abnormal craniofacial morphology are predisposed to having sleep disordered breathing; many of these children are mouth breathers. The aim of this study was to determine whether an association exists between polysomnographic findings and cephalometric measures in mouth-breathing children. METHODS: Twenty-seven children (15 mouth-breathing children and 12 nose-breathing children [control subjects]), aged 7 to 14 years, took part in the study. Polysomnographic variables included sleep efficiency, sleep latency, apnea-hypopnea index, oxygen saturation, arousal index, number of periodic limb movements in sleep, and snoring. Cephalometric measures included maxilla and mandible position, occlusal and mandibular plane inclination, incisor position, pharyngeal airway space width, and hyoid bone position. RESULTS: As compared with nose-breathing children, mouth breathers were more likely to snore (p < 0.001) and to have an apnea-hypopnea index greater than 1 (p = 0.02). Mouth-breathing children were also more likely to have a retruded mandible, more inclined occlusal and mandibular planes, a smaller airway space, and a smaller superior pharyngeal airway space (p < 0.01). The apnea-hypopnea index increased as the posterior airway space decreased (p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed an association between polysomnographic data and cephalometric measures in mouth-breathing children. Snoring was the most important variable associated with abnormal craniofacial morphology. Orthodontists should send any mouth-breathing child for an evaluation of sleep if they find that the child has a small superior pharyngeal airway space or an increased ANB (the relationship between the maxilla and mandible), NS.PIO (occlusal plane inclination in relationship to the skull base), or NS.GoGn (the mandibular plane inclination in relation to the skull base), indicating that the child has a steeper mandibular plane.

Titratable mandibular repositioner appliances for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: are they an option?

Mandibular repositioning appliances (tMRAs) designed with a titratable mechanism are effective to treat obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) but are not widely used, although many studies have proven their value. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of tMRAs in the treatment of OSAS on the criteria of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM; apnea/hypopnea index [AHI] < 5). Three hundred consecutive patients with a polysomnographic diagnosis of OSAS were referred for treatment with tMRAs between 2000 and 2003. Thirty-eight patients were excluded, and 262 concluded the titration protocol with tMRA that lasted 4 months. After titration, the patients were referred for a medical reassessment, and 83 patients (70 men) participated in the new polysomnographic exam with tMRA in place to access tMRA's efficacy. The mean pre- and post-treatment AHI were 26 +/- 17.7 and 4.8 +/- 5.3 events per hour, respectively (p < 0.00005). Fifty-three (62.6%) of the 83 patients were treated successfully (AHI < 5). Twenty-three patients had severe OSAS, and 12 of them (52.1%) were treated successfully (AHI < 5). Forty patients had moderate OSAS, and 26 of them (65%) were treated successfully. Twenty patients had mild OSAS, and 15 (75%) were successfully treated. Even when applying more rigid criteria such as those of the AASM, the expressive success rate obtained with the treatment of different degrees of OSAS indicates that tMRAs are an additional valuable option even for cases of severe apnea in which the patient does not tolerate continuous positive airway pressure or cannot afford this treatment, a fact quite common in Brazil and other developing countries.

Clinical co-morbidities in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome treated with mandibular repositioning appliance.

INTRODUCTION: Intraoral mandibular repositioner appliances (IOMRAs) are designed to enlarge pharyngeal airway space advancing the mandible and increasing genioglossus tone during sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) treatment with IOMRAs is beneficial, but there is a lack of studies in the literature defining the target population more inclined to respond to this treatment. METHODS: We contacted by telephone 188 previously treated patients with IOMRA, detecting 20 not improved patients (Study Group). Twenty improved patients of the remaining 168 were randomly paired according to gender, age, apnea, and hypopnea index as Control Group. Both groups answered questionnaires for diagnosis of sleep disorders, depression, anxiety, and the Epworth sleepiness scale. We did a descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. The inferential analysis was divided into two steps: univariate analysis using Fischer exact test and a multiple inferential analysis using a stepwise regression model. RESULTS: Although the final model included only insomnia, we concluded that the presence of gastric, neurological and rheumatic diseases also tended to be associated with the self-perception of non-improvement. The association between the accumulation of gastric, neurological, and rheumatic diseases and insomnia and improvement demonstrated that an increase in one of these diseases correspond to a two-fold increase in the chance of non-improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Insomnia was the most important factor compromising the success of OSAS treatment with IOMRAs, and the isolated presence of gastric, neurological and rheumatic diseases, but especially their combination, reduces the perception rate of well-succeeded treatment with IOMRAs.

Quality of life of patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome treated with an intraoral mandibular repositioner.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a very important and prevalent disease, which is associated with a poor quality of life in many patients. Treatments for OSAS include surgery, Continuous Positive Air way Pressure, and an intraoral mandibular repositioner (IOMR), but the tendency of sleep centers is to emphasize the apnea index, neglecting quality of life as treatment outcome. OBJECTIVE: To verify to what extent treatment with an IOMR improves the OSAS patient's quality of life. METHOD: Eleven male patients aged 34 to 63 years (mean=49) with mild to moderate OSAS were evaluated using the Calgary SAQLI questionnaire applied before and four weeks after treatment with an IOMR. The mandibular repositioners were manufactured individually for each patient with acrylic polymer and equipped with a retentive device to maintain the mandible in a forward position during sleep. RESULTS: Excellent improvement in the quality of life was observed in five patients (45.5%) and excellent improvement in symptoms in 10 (90.9%). CONCLUSION: The systematic use of the IOMR indicates a clear improvement in the global quality of life as well as in the symptoms of patients with OSAS.

Quality of life of patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome treated with an intraoral mandibular repositioner

CONTEXTO:A síndrome da apnéia obstrutiva do sono (SAOS) é importante e prevalente doença associada à má qualidade de vida em muitos pacientes. Os tratamentos disponíveis incluem cirurgias, CPAP e o aparelho reposicionador mandibular intra-oral (ARMIO). Muitos centros de distúrbios de sono valorizam apenas a redução do número de apnéias no tratamento da SAOS, dando pouca atenção à qualidade de vida como desfecho do tratamento. OBJETIVO: Graduar melhora da qualidade de vida dos pacientes com SAOS usando ARMIO. MÉTODO: O questionário Calgary SAQLI foi aplicado, antes e após, 4 semanas de tratamento com ARMIO, a 11 pacientes masculinos, entre 34 e 63 anos de idade (média de 49 anos), com SAOS leve a moderada. ARMIOs foram manufaturados com polímero acrílico e providos com retentivos para manter a mandíbula em posição anterior durante o sono. RESULTADOS: Observamos grande melhora na qualidade de vida em 5 pacientes (45,5%) e melhora dos sintomas em 10 (90,9%). CONCLUSÃO: O uso do ARMIO associa-se principalmente à melhora dos sintomas, como também à melhora da qualidade de vida global.

Enceramento de diagnóstico para um contorno anatômico / Diagnostic waxing for anatomic contour

Os autores através de uma revisäo da literatura, ressaltam a importância do enceramento de diagnóstico frente ao contorno das restauraçöes protéticas. Tentam deixar claro a importância do enceramento de diagnóstico tanto na fase de planejamento como durante o tratamento. Avaliam as teorias de contorno segundo seus autores, concluindo que devemos evitar o sobrecontorno das regiöes cervicais, através de um preparo adequado e um melhor entrosamento com o técnico de laboratório