Estimation of the dental movements caused by Narval® Oral Appliance in the treatment of adult obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome

Objective: oral appliances are one of the treatments of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome. They all have dental anchoring points, causing potential changing in the dental occlusion with time. The aim of the study was to evaluate dental displacement induced by Narval® oral appliance in the treatment of the adult mild to severe obstructive sleep apnea hyponea syndrome. Material and methods: The study was based on 15 adults with mild to severe obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome treated with a Narval® oral appliance for more than one year. Before oral appliance delivery and more than one year after oral appliance delivery, dental impressions were performed and digitized by a 3D scanner. The dental positions were calculated by the software 3D Reshaper® and compared. Results: The mean wearing time of the Narval® oral appliance was 13.5 months (±2.1). The mean mandibular advancement was 6mm (±2). For the maxillary arch, there was a significant distalization of molar and premolar-canine blocks from 0.12 to 0.20mm (all p<0.05) and a significant proclination of incisal blocks of 0.18mm (p<0.05). For the mandibular arch, there was a significant mesialization of the molar and premolar-canine blocks of 0.14 to 0.25 mm (p<0.05) and a non-significant retoclination of the incisors of 0.09 mm. Conclusions: The Narval® oral appliance produced minimal but significant teeth movements on the maxillary and mandibular at the short and medium term.