Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in patients with class II malocclusion

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Sleep Medicine
• Orthodontics

Background:

• Class II malocclusion is frequently observed alongside obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.
• A direct causal link between Class II malocclusion and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome remains unestablished.
• Previous research has not specifically investigated obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in Class II malocclusion patients without reported sleep issues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in patients with Class II malocclusion.
• To determine if Class II malocclusion, particularly with mandibular retrusion, is a direct risk factor for developing obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.
• To assess sleep and breathing abnormalities in patients with Class II malocclusion requiring surgical intervention.

Main Methods:

• Selection of 12 patients with Class II malocclusion scheduled for mandibular lengthening or repositioning surgery.
• Administration of sleep habit and complaint surveys to participants.
• Conducting overnight polysomnography to monitor sleep and breathing patterns.

Main Results:

• None of the 12 patients diagnosed with Class II malocclusion presented with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.
• The study established an upper limit for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome incidence of 26.5% within this specific surgical patient cohort.

Conclusions:

• Class II malocclusion, even when severe enough to warrant surgical correction, may not be a direct cause of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.
• The findings suggest that the co-occurrence of these conditions might be coincidental or influenced by other factors.
• Further research is warranted to clarify the complex relationship between dental occlusion and sleep-disordered breathing.