Summary Review/Orthodontics
Evidence-Based Dentistry (2007) 8, 5–6. doi:10.1038/sj.ebd.6400513
Insufficient evidence to confirm effectiveness of oral appliances in treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome in children
Are oral appliances or functional orthopaedic appliances effective in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea in children?
Address for correspondence: Luisa Fernandez, Group Co-ordinator, Cochrane Oral Health Group, MANDEC, Third Floor Dental Hospital, University of Manchester, Higher Cambridge Street, Manchester M15 6FH, UK. E-mail: luisa.fernandez@manchester.ac.uk
Nigel A Fox1
1Orthodontic Department, James Cook University Hospital, Middlesborough, Teesside, UK.
Carvalho FR, Lentini-Oliveira D, Machado MAC, Prado GF, Prado LBF, Saconato H. Oral appliances and functional orthopaedic appliances for obstructive sleep apnoea in children. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2007; issue 2
Abstract
Data sources
Searches were made using the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Medline, Embase, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature, Bibliografia Brasileira de Odontologia and SciELO (the Scientific Electronic Library Online).
Study selection
Studies chosen were randomised controlled trials (RCT) or quasi-RCT comparing all types of oral and functional orthopaedic appliances with placebo or no treatment, in children of 15 years old or younger.
Data extraction and synthesis
Data were independently extracted by two review authors. Authors were contacted for additional information. Risk ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated for all important dichotomous outcomes.
Results
A total of 384 trials were identified, of which only one, reporting results from a total of 23 patients, was suitable for inclusion in the review. Data provided in the published report did not answer all the questions from this review, but did answer some: the results presented favour treatment.
Conclusions
At present there is not sufficient evidence to state that oral appliances or functional orthopaedic appliances are effective in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) syndrome in children. Oral appliances or functional orthopaedic appliances may be helpful in the treatment of children with craniofacial anomalies which are risk factors for apnoea.
