http://dx.doi.org/10.15331/jdsm.7244

Martin Denbar, DDS
 
Austin Apnea & Snoring Therapy
Diplomate, American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine
Assistant Clinical Professor (non-principled) Texas A&M School of Medicine

 

This systemic review, “Pharyngeal airway dimensional changes after orthodontic treatment with premolar extractions: A systematic review with meta-analysis”,¹ provides for an interesting analysis of the studies looking into the effect of serial extraction on the airway. The review dealt with cone beam tomography to evaluate the pharyngeal airway volume with a control group of 342 patients who had not undergone extraction and a group of 268 treated patients. The finding was that no statistically significant difference was found in total, nasopharyngeal, glossopharyngeal, or minimum cross-sectional area (P>0.05) in the extraction group. The study does conclude that there was a statistically significant increase in oropharyngeal volume of 0.41 cm3 (95% confidence interval, 0.05-0.80; P=0.03).

When reviewing this study it is important to evaluate the testing metric to consider whether any conclusions from the studies reviewed were valid in regard to evaluating airway patency. In essence, the studies examined a static anatomic element after a minor surgical procedure.^2,3 Perhaps dentists should consider how other elements affect dimension and sleep in ways extractions do not. I see no reason why extracting bicuspids would have any effect on either the nasopharyngeal or glossopharyngeal areas. These are two separate anatomic structures with no visible connection to teeth. I can understand how extracting bicuspids could result in an increase in oropharyngeal volume because reduction in anteroposterior arch form might effectively provide more space distal to the second molars, thereby creating more of an oropharyngeal space. A flatter facial profile, which in itself could be seen as abnormal, might be expected. I suppose that this attribute of extraction could be addressed with future studies on the effects of serial extractions and the facial profile.

To truly evaluate the hypothesis of these studies, the effect of numerous other physiologic and anatomic factors should be considered. These factors include resting tongue position,⁴ swallow pattern, mouth breathing,^5-12 Mallampati index, head position,^8-13 palatal height, tongue tie,^14,15 age, parafunctional habits and breastfeeding,¹⁶ nasal anatomy,^17,18 and body mass index.¹⁹

I am also aware of the results of the 2015 study, Evidence Supports No Relationship between Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Premolar Extraction: An Electronic Health Records.²⁰ But once again, the minimal number of variables that were considered has to be taken into account. As the summary of this study stated, “…. there remain many unanswered questions regarding the interaction of the anatomy and physiology of the orofacial region and development of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).” Having personally examined and treated thousands of patients with significant numbers, I estimate more than 25% of them have undergone serial extraction and now have tongues sitting on top of the lower teeth. I think there needs to be serious research into this issue, taking into consideration the whole of the total patient.

The airway is dynamic and reacts differently when a patient is awake than during sleep. Although cone beam computed tomography evaluation has been shown to be possibly predictive for OSA, it is not diagnostic. Patients with a narrow airway can have no pathology and normal airways with OSA. Studies such as this one on extractions are overly simplistic and have limited clinical value when evaluating a static anatomic structure and extrapolating a conclusion about an extremely complicated dynamic entity that changes with age and the idiosyncrasies of each patient.
CITATION
Denbar M. Meta-analysis evaluation. J Dent Sleep Med. 2022;9(2).

REFERENCES

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19. Arens R, Sin S, Nandalike K, et al. Upper airway structure and body fat composition in obese children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2011;183:782-787.
20. Larsen AJ, Rindal DB, Hatch JP, Kane S, Asche SE, Carvalho C, Rugh J. Evidence Supports No Relationship between Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Premolar Extraction: An Electronic Health Records Review. J Clin Sleep Med. 2015 Dec 15;11(12):1443-8.

SUBMISSION AND CORRESPONDENCE INFORMATION

 
Submitted for publication October 5, 2021
Accepted for publication March 15, 2022
 
Address correspondence to: Martin Denbar, DDS; Email: dr.denbar@austinapnea.com

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT 

The author has no relevant conflicts of interest to disclose.