UCLA

Anatomic constriction and collapse of the upper airway are key to development of obstructive sleep apnea. The first aim of this study was to identify upper airway anatomic features that correlate with AHI severity. The second aim was to evaluate changes to the upper airway caused by mandibular repositioning appliances and to identify potential predictors of the therapeutic response. Our study did not identify any anatomic correlates of AHI severity, indicating the contribution of other factors to OSA development, in addition to anatomic constriction. Mandibular repositioning appliances induced a statistically significant increase in the velopharyngeal dimensions, suggesting that muscular repositioning of the tongue as well as the pharyngeal and palatal muscles may play a role in its therapeutic actions.