MILAN (ITALPRESS) – Night apnees are a sleep disorder characterized by repeated interruptions of breathing, which can last from a few seconds up to more than half a minute: the most common form is the obstructive apnea, caused by the collapse of the upper airways. During these respiratory breaks, the amount of oxygen in the blood is reduced; in addition, the frequent microresveals, often unconscious, worsen the quality of sleep. The consequences are often drowsiness, difficulty of concentration, increased risk of accidents and worsening of quality of life: if not treated, night apneas can contribute to hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes and mood disorders. “There is a correlation between skeletal alterations of the oral cable and nocturnal apneas. The most important is the jaw positioned back, in an incorrect position: this determines the so-called ‘deep back’, that is a hypersovrapposition of the two dental arches”, said Antonella Ferro, head of the Orthodontics department at the Humanitas Dental Center in Rozzano, interviewed by Marco Klinger for Medicina Top, TV format of the Italpress press agency.
“Some times on the contrary we have the very narrow palate, which can cause a malposition of the language itself: if this is big, during sleep tends to fall backwards – he added. They are very dangerous phenomena, because they can determine a suspension of breath and all the problems that may arise”, The orthodontics, according to Iron, “can help solve these problems using the mandibular feed device: when the patient wears the jaw is in an advanced position, so it can not fall backwards during sleep. When patients come to the study from us a scan of the two arches is made and this stepping bite is recorded specifically to put the jaw in that position: after which everything is sent to the lab; there is no risk of keeping these devices in the mouth, because they cannot be detached from the patient’s teeth and can be carried quietly.”.
As for the benefits of the mandibular feed device, the major ones are “for those with mild or moderate apnee. Women are better compared to men, because of different anatomical conformation: it is important in patients the appearance related to obesity, because in that case there is the risk that this tool does not work. Where there are severe anatomical alterations surely this type of device cannot be useful: in these cases you get directly to the surgical operation.” Iron then focuses on the importance of prevention from the early age: “Normally, the patient does not arrive at the dentist because he is Russian, but because he has suggested that the otogen: prevention is fundamental, because the skeletal problems in question are found exactly in children and adolescents; intervening with orthopedic and orthodontic therapies serve to make sure that these subjects do not become an adult tomorrow who risk meeting phenomena of apnee and snoring.”.
The last reflection is linked to the greater attention that is reserved today to night apnees: “Now parents are also very educated on this issue: if they notice if there are problems in children; even the adult himself now realizes if there is a need to intervene. Orthodontics have come to such a level that it is now difficult to expect something different: with transparent masks we do anything”.
– photos taken from video Medicine Top –
(ITALPRESS).
