Dave Singh
BioModeling Solutions
United States of America
Title: Biomimetic oral appliance therapy for non-surgical improvements in nasal cavity morphology in sleep disordered breathing
Biography
Biography: Dave Singh
Abstract
In this study, we investigated changes in nasal cavity morphology to test the hypothesis that nasal cavity morphology can be improved in patients with sleep disordered breathing. After obtaining informed consent, we undertook 3D cone-beam CBCT scans of 11 consecutive patients prior to and after biomimetic oral appliance therapy (BOAT). The mean treatment time was 18.4 months±2.5. Volumetric 3D reconstruction of the nasal cavity was undertaken and the nasal volume was calculated in all cases. The findings were subjected to statistical analysis using paired t-tests. The results showed that the mean nasal cavity volume was 41.9 cm3±12.0 prior to treatment. After BOAT, the mean volume increased to 44.0 cm3±12.7 (p=0.022). Next, we applied the same protocol to a patient with a history of chronic rhinitis as well as sleep disordered breathing. In this case, treatment was completed over a period of 24 months. During this time, the patient showed less rhinorrhea, improved nasal breathing and regression of adenoidal hypertrophy. In addition, the patient’s head posture, facial appearance and dental occlusion improved along with better sleep. We conclude that biomimetic oral appliance therapy may be beneficial in patients with sleep disordered breathing including chronic rhinitis.