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Management of obstructive sleep apnoea in children with modified monobloc appliances.

AIM
This was to investigate the effect of the use of an orthodontic appliance in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in children using polysomnographic variables.


METHODS
10 boys and 10 girls with OSA aged between 4 to 8 years, referred from an otolaryngology clinic because of sleep apnoea, wore modified monobloc devices nightly for 6 months. Polysomnography was used for each patient for baseline diagnosis of OSA and also for post therapy assessment.


RESULTS
The median obstructive apnoea- hypopnoea index decreased after 6 months of therapy with oral appliances. The mean (+/-SD) number of episodes of OSA was 7.88+/-1.81 before treatment and 3.66+/-6.80 after 6 months (p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The modified monobloc appliance is suggested for use in children with OSA and may be an effective therapeutic alternative in children with mild to moderate OSA.