Changes of the upper airways depending on the orthodontic rotation of the occlusal plane

The article presents data of domestic and foreign authors on the etiology and clinical manifestations of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and on the influence of rotation of the occlusal plane on the clearance of the upper respiratory tract. Our own study of patients with vertical type of growth and distal occlusion before and after orthodontic treatment was carried out. The influence of rotation of the occlusal plane on the clearance of the upper respiratory tract was studied. The necessity and expediency of using of the occlusal plane orthodontic rotation to increase the clearance of the upper respiratory tract is substantiated. A cephalometric analysis was performed using CBCT. The analysis of the upper respiratory tract was carried out. There were significant changes in the parameters characterizing the head position and a significant increase in the clearance of the upper respiratory tract in the narrowest part. It was concluded that the flattening of the occlusal plane during orthodontic treatment affects the position of the head, which, in turn, directly affects the clearance of the upper respiratory tract; orthodontic treatment can affect the area of the hyoid bone. The possibility of using CBCT as an effective tool for screening the pathology of the upper respiratory tract has been confirmad.