Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep-associated disorder of breathing with a reduction or complete airflow obstruction despite an ongoing effort by patient for breathing. The present study was conducted to assess role of Orthodontics in management of OSA patients. Materials & Methods: The present study was conducted on 64 patients diagnosed of OSA of both genders. Patients was prescribed with Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) management. The upper airway was measured using Lyberg et al.’s method. All patients were given mandibular advancement appliance. Pre treatment and post treatment airway was compared. Results: Out of 64 patients, males were 34 and females were 30. The mean pre treatment nasopharyngeal airway space was 28.4 mm and post treatment space was 25.1 mm, oropharyngeal space was 11.5 mm and post pharyngeal space was 9.4 mm, hypopharyngeal space was 9.8 mm and post pharyngeal space was 17.2 mm. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). The clinical features in patients was snoring in 34, bruxism in 36, obesity in 12, fatigue in 45, mouth breathing in 38, neck hyperextension in 17 and waling during sleep in 11 patients. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Authors concluded that mandibular advancement appliance is sufficient in management of patients with OSA. Key words:- mandibular advancement appliance, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, Obstructive sleep apnea.