Sleep-Disordered Breathing and Dimensions of The Maxillary Dental Arch and Hard Palate in Children With Class II and Large Overjet—A Case-Control Study

Abstract

Background: Class II occlusion is associated with narrow dimensions of the maxillary dental arch and hard palate (maxillary dimensions), which may increase the risk of narrow upper airways and sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). Objectives: The aim was to compare maxillary dental arch and hard palate dimensions in children with Class II and large overjet ≥ 6 mm (study group) to a control group with neutral occlusion and to examine the relation between SDB and maxillary dimensions. Methods: The study group included 37 children (19 boys; 18 girls; median age 12.3 years) and the control group included 32 children (16 boys; 16 girls; median age 12.2 years). SDB was assessed by respiratory polygraphy, the distances between maxillary canines and first permanent molars were measured by intraoral scans and the general relation between SDB and maxillary dimensions was analysed. Results: Significantly smaller distances between both canines and first molars (p ≤ 0.001) were found in the study group. No significant differences in dimensions of the hard palate or SDB were found between the groups but the snore index tended to be higher in the study group (p = 0.051). No general significant associations between SDB measurements and maxillary dimensions were found in the total group of participants. Conclusions: Significantly reduced transversal dimensions of the maxillary dental arch were found in the study group with Class II occlusion compared to controls. No significant difference regarding dimensions of the hard palate or SDB between the groups was found nor between SDB and maxillary dimensions. However, intraoral scans may be useful in risk assessment of early signs of paediatric SDB in orthodontic patients. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04964830.