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Craniofacial changes after 2 years of nasal continuous positive airway pressure use in patients with obstructive

Hiroko Tsuda1, Fernanda R Almeida, Toru Tsuda

  • 1Department of Oral Health Sciences, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada. htsuda@dent.kyushu-u.ac.jp

Chest
|July 10, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Long-term nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) use in adults with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may alter craniofacial structures. These changes include reduced maxillary and mandibular prominence and altered dental arch relationships.

Area of Science:

  • Orthodontics
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Craniofacial Biology

Background:

  • Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is commonly treated with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP).
  • Previous research indicated midfacial hypoplasia in children using nCPAP.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate craniofacial changes in adult OSA patients after prolonged nCPAP therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Cephalometric radiographs of 46 Japanese adults using nCPAP for over 2 years were analyzed.
  • Changes in facial height, interarch relationships, and tooth positions were assessed.

Main Results:

  • Significant changes observed included maxillary retrusion, reduced maxillary-mandibular discrepancy, and retroclination of incisors.
  • No significant correlation was found between craniofacial changes and demographic factors or nCPAP duration.
  • Patients did not report permanent changes in occlusion or facial profile.

Conclusions:

  • Prolonged nCPAP use (>2 years) may modify craniofacial form in OSA patients.
  • Observed changes involve reduced prominence of maxilla and mandible and altered dental arch relationships.
Abstract

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