Influence of the type of facial pattern on the outcome of treatment of patients with obstructive sleep-disordered breathing with an intraoral appliance

Abstract

Objectives To evaluate whether the type of facial pattern obtained from standardized photographs influences the success of treatment with Oral Appliance (OA) in a group of patients with Obstructive Sleep Disorders (OSD), and to verify the agreement between three examiners regarding the classification of the type of facial pattern. Methods Fifty patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) underwent systematic evaluation of the face using standardized photographs to characterize the type of facial pattern. The patients were examined, blindly and consecutively, by three dental surgeons. Results There was strong agreement between the examiners about the type of facial pattern (κ = 0.899). OA success rates were similar between patients with facial pattern I and II. Conclusion The type of facial pattern, I and II, did not influence the success of OA. Both facial patterns can benefit from this, and the test was reproducible with strong inter-rater agreement. Levels of evidence Level 2.