Journal of Orthodontics & Endodontics

Effects Of Twin Block Appliance Treatment On Pulmonary Functions In Class Ii Malocclusion Subjects With Retrognathic Mandibles

Background: Mandibular retrognathism is considered as one of the risk factors of obstructive sleep apnea. Narrowing and various anatomical adaptations in upper airway are common among subjects with retrognathic mandibles. Such adaptive changes in upper airway might also have adverse effects on lower airway i.e. lung functions. Treatment of mandibular retrognathism by functional appliances improves the anatomical adaptations in upper airway and also increases the upper airway dimensions. So correction of mandibular retrognathism by functional appliances might have beneficial effect on lower airway functions. Thus the present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of twin block appliance treatment on various lung functions in class II malocclusion subjects with retrognathic mandibles.

Material and Methods: Thirty-two class II division 1 malocclusion subjects with retrognathic mandible were divided equally into a treatment and control group. The mandibular retrusion in treatment group subjects was corrected by twinblock appliance. The effects of twin-block appliance on various lung functions were evaluated from pulmonary function tests performed before the start of treatment, approximately 8-weeks after the delivery of twin-block appliance and after a follow-up period of approximately 6-months by using body plethysmograph. Student’s t-test was used for statistical analysis; P-value 0.05 was considered statistically significant level.

Results: Various lung functions in spirometry test were comparable among treatment and control subjects. The thoracic gas volume was increased significantly (P<0.05) at the end of 8-weeks of twin-block therapy. The residual volume of lungs increased significantly (P<0.05) in treatment group subjects and it decreased significantly (P<0.05) in control group subjects; and the difference was significant (P<0.01). The change in total lung capacity between treatment and control group subjects at the end of 8-weeks of follow-up was significant (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Correction of mandibular retrusion by twin-block appliance had temporary beneficial effects on various lung functions.

Author(s):

Dr. Pankaj Pupneja, Dr. Ashok Kumar Utreja, Dr. Satinder Pal Singh, Dr. Ashutosh Aggarwal, Dr. Ashok Kumar Jena

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