DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/WNX0-NQ48
Defense Date
2023
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Dentistry
Department
Dentistry
First Advisor
Eser Tufekci
Second Advisor
Harmeet Chiang
Third Advisor
Caroline Carrico
Abstract
Specific aims: The purpose of this study was to explore the association between various intraoral markers and the risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in children. Specifically, nine intraoral clinical characteristics were analyzed: ankyloglossia, palatal vault height, presence and level of dental wear, tonsillar grade, Friedman's classification, skeletal and dental classification, and posterior crossbite. The correlation between these features and the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ) and Pediatric Symptoms Checklist (PSC) scores were assessed.
Methods: Orthodontic patients aged 8-17 were recruited at the VCU Graduate Clinic. Intraoral measurements were collected from patients (n=100) by treating doctors. At this time, the PSQ and PSC screening surveys were also completed by the parents/legal guardians of the subjects. Analyses were performed to determine the association between the intraoral markers and the risk of pediatric OSA.
Results: Eighteen percent of the subjects demonstrated a high risk for sleep-disordered breathing based on the PSQ survey and 10% for emotional or behavioral problems based on the PSC survey. There was a strong association between PSQ and PSC for high risk for OSA (p-value < 0.0001). None of the intraoral markers demonstrated statistically significant associations with sleep-disordered breathing as measured by the PSQ. However, subjects deemed high risk of OSA based on the PSQ survey were more likely to have a higher tonsillar grade, a higher Friedman Classification, and a more shallow palatal vault.
Conclusions: In this study, 18% of subjects were concluded to be at high risk for OSA, as determined by the validated PSQ. While none of the intraoral markers demonstrated statistically significant associations with sleep-disordered breathing as measured by the PSQ, some variables showed trends. Future studies with a larger sample size are needed to investigate further a possible association between the clinical features and OSA.
Rights
© Linda K. Powers, DDS
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
3-20-2023