[Dental changes of patients with obstructive sleep apnea and hypopnea syndrome treated by oral appliance for more than 6 years].

Objective: To investigate dental changes in long-term oral appliance treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and hypopnea syndrome(OSAHS).

Methods: A total of 7 patients were included in the study. The three-dimensional (3D) model study was used to investigate the delicate changes of dentition.

Results: The 7 patients who had been treated with an oral appliance for a mean duration of 8.5 years were recruited. The arch widths increased in the molar area. The distance between the distobuccal cusps of the left and right upper second molar increased (2.11 ± 2.14) mm, P=0.040. The distance between the distobuccal cusps of the left and right upper first molar increased (0.56 ± 0.61) mm, P=0.049. The distance between the distobuccal cusps of the left and right lower first molar increased (1.25 ± 0.93) mm, P=0.040. Several molar and premolar cusps were depressed. Other teeth had no change statistically.

Conclusion: The orthodontic side-effects on the teeth are small during the treatment of patients with OSAHS.