Cephalometric evaluation of pharyngeal airway space after the use of flat occlusal appliance

Objective: Analyze the variations of the three segments of the pharyngeal airway space after reestablishment (normalization / increase) of the vertical dimension of occlusion by wearing flat occlusal appliance. Methods: Cephalometrric radiographs with the head in a natural position were taken of thirty denture wearers subjects with decreased vertical dimension of occlusion before and after the use of flats occlusal appliances during 90 days. Linear measurements of pharyngeal airway space were obtained. Data analysis applied the statistical Student's t test (p <0.05). Results: Measurements of each of the three anatomic regions that compound the pharyngeal airway space were obtained: nasopharynx (ENP-BaS), oropharynx (VSA-BaS) and hypopharynx (VIA-BaS). Measurements of ENP-BaS showed significant statistically differences after the use of flat occlusal appliance, leading to an increase of the final value (p = 0.005). The same happened with the measurements VSA-BaS (p = 0.004) and VIA-BaS (p = 0.006) but showing decreased final values. Additionally subjects reported improvement in respect to snoring and restless sleep. Conclusion: The three segment of pharyngeal airway space vary in a different way when vertical dimension of occlusion is increased. (C) 2016 Sociedade Portuguesa de Estomatologia e Medicina Dentaria. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U.