Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the mandibular arch shape and the vertical skeletal pattern in growing patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 73 Caucasian patients (33 males and 40 females; mean age 9.4) were retrospectively enrolled from a pool of patients treated in chronological order at the Department of Orthodontics, University of Foggia, Italy, from April 2018 to December 2021. Each patient received a laterolateral radiograph and a digital scan of the dental arch. Eight cephalometric parameters (lower gonial angle, intermaxillary angle, divergence angle, Wits index, Jarabak ratio, OP-MP angle, PP-OP angle, and ANB) and five dental measurements (posterior mandibular arch width, anterior mandibular arch width, mandibular occlusal angle, posterior width on distobuccal molar cusps, and molar angle) were analyzed and then compared. A Spearman’s rho correlation test between the cephalometric measurements and the dental measurements was performed. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: A negative statistically significant correlation was found between the Jarabak ratio and the intermolar angle; a statistically significant correlation was also observed between the Wits index, the posterior mandibular width, and the occlusal mandibular angle; the ANB angle and the occlusal mandibular angle; the intermaxillary angle (PP-PM) and the mandibular occlusal angle, posterior mandibular width on the disto-vestibular cusp, and the intermolar angle; and the OP-MP angle and mandibular occlusal angle and the posterior mandibular width on the disto-vestibular cusp. Conclusions: The mandibular arch form may be related to certain predisposing features in craniofacial morphology, such as jaw divergence, the Jarabak ratio, and the intermaxillary angle.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep-related breathing disorder associated with craniofacial morphology and dental arches. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between obstructive sleep apnea and the morphometry of dental arches and upper airways. Methods: Forty patients were enrolled in the study, and the polysomnographic parameters evaluated were the apnea hypopnea index (AHI) and the oxygen desaturation index (ODI). Dental measurements taken from the 3D models included anterior arch widths, posterior arch widths, maxillary and mandibular arch lengths, and palatal surface area. A cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) evaluation was also performed. Results: In patients with moderate OSA, posterior maxillary width was significantly correlated with both minimal airway area (rho = 0.65, p < 0.01) and its transverse diameter (rho = 0.68, p < 0.01). Similarly, in patients with severe OSA, posterior maxillary width showed a significant correlation with total airway volume (rho = 1, p < 0.01), minimal airway area (rho = 1, p < 0.01), and its transverse diameter (rho = 1, p < 0.01). Conclusions: Craniofacial morphology and malocclusion can contribute to obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

(1) Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the Rapid Maxillary Expander (RME) II System compared to a Herbst appliance and a control group in the treatment of class II skeletal malocclusions in growing patients. (2) Methods: A total of 30 class II patients treated using the RME II System (group R) were compared with 30 patients treated with a Herbst appliance (group H) and 30 untreated class II children (group C). Cephalograms were compared at the start (T0) and after 24 months (T1). Nine cephalometric parameters were analyzed: SN-MP, SN-PO, ANB, AR-GO-ME, AR-GO-N, N-GO-ME, SN-PP, LFH, CO-GN, 1+SN, IMPA, OVERJET, and OVERBITE. Since the variables failed the normality test, a Wilcoxon test was performed for a pairwise comparison of the cephalometric measurements taken at T0 (pre-treatment) and at T1 (post-treatment). ANOVA with Tukey post hoc correction was used to evaluate the differences among the groups. (3) Results: ANOVA showed a statistically significant difference for all analyzed variables except for AR-GO-ME, AR-GO-N, and N-GO-ME. Post hoc Tukey’s HSD test showed the following difference: the SN-PO angle in group H was 3.59° greater than in group R; the LFH in group H was 4.13 mm greater than in group R. The mandibular length (CO-GN) in group H was 3.94 mm greater than in group R; IMPA in group H was 6.4° greater than in group R; and the ANB angle in group H was 1.47° greater than in group R. (4) Conclusions: The RME II System is an effective therapeutic device for class II skeletal malocclusion treatment in growing patients.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with a number of cardiovascular comorbidities, including hypertension, heart rate (HR) alterations, cardiac arrhythmias, endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. HR, in particular, is an important sign correlated with cardiac stress and survival. Previous investigations on the effects of mandibular advancement device (MAD) therapy on HR resulted in contradictory findings. The aim of the present retrospective cohort study was to evaluate the effects of MAD therapy with a fully customizable appliance on respiratory and cardiovascular parameters. Fifty adult consecutive cases with mild to severe OSA underwent split-night polysomnography (SN-PSG) at baseline (T0) and after three months of MAD treatment (T1), after appropriate titration. The apnea/hypopnea index (AHI), 4% oxygen desaturation index (ODI) and HR (average, minimum and maximum) values are recorded at T0 and at T1 and statistically compared. The AHI and ODI values improved after three months of MAD treatment. The minimum HR increased after treatment, while the maximum HR decreased after treatment. MAD treatment with a fully customizable appliance was effective in improving breathing and cardiovascular parameters in adult patients with mild to severe OSA.

Class III malocclusion needs complex orthodontic treatment. This case report describes a 16‐year‐old male patient with skeletal class III malocclusion with a negative overjet and overbite. Upper incisors were proclined with the accentuated curve of Wilson. Treatment has changed the functional curve of Wilson that has improved functional dynamic occlusion. The patient was treated using a Carriere® Motion™ Class III (CM3) and SLX 3D Brackets system. After a 25‐month treatment, the patient reached class I molars and canines relationships on both sides with good facial aesthetics and good functional occlusion. The result was also satisfactory for the patient. A one‐year follow‐up confirmed that the outcome was stable.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate position shifts during sleep of patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) syndrome both with and without the use of a mandibular advancement device (MAD).Methods: In total, 73 adult Caucasian patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome confirmed by polysomnography were retrospectively enrolled. Inclusion criteria were as follows: age >20 years, body mass index <34 kg/m², polysomnographic diagnosis of OSA, non-smoker, absence of comorbidities at diagnosis, and treatment with a MAD. Two polysomnographic monitoring were performed: one at the time of diagnosis (T0) and another after 3 months of treatment (T1). The parameters evaluated were the apnea-hypopnea index, oxygen desaturation index, the total number of position shifts, and position shift index (number of shifts per hour). Since the variables failed the normality test, the Wilcoxon test was performed to analyze the correlation between the mean of polysomnographic parameters at T0 and T1. The difference between the T1 and T0 values for each variable was evaluated using Spearman's rho correlation test. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.Results and conclusions: All the parameters, including respiratory and positional measures, were significantly reduced after the use of a MAD compared to the beginning. Spearman’s correlation test revealed a relationship between the total number of sleep position shifts and the sleep position shift index with the oxygen desaturation index. However, no significant correlation was observed between the apnea-hypopnea index and the positional values.