Obstructive sleep apnea severity and dental arches dimensions in children with late primary dentition: An observational study

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the dimensions of the upper and lower arches in children affected by OSAS with different levels of severity of obstruction.Methods: Twenty-seven Caucasian children (14 males, 13 females; mean age 6, range 5.2–6.1 years) with a diagnosis of OSAS determined by polysomnography were enrolled in this study. The dimensions of both dental arches were measured, and the data were compared among children affected by severe, moderate, and mild OSAS.Results: Statistically significant differences among the three groups revealed that children with severe OSAS had the highest values of upper intercanine and intermolar distances in the sample.Discussion: A severe OSAS grade (AHI > 10) is associated with statistically significantly higher upper intercanine and intermolar distances compared with mild and moderate grades. An early approach to OSAS in children with late primary dentition is auspicated in order to prevent an influence on dental arches growth.