Hwasub Hwang1, Charin Hwang1, Jeffery West2, G Dave Singh3. 1. Private Practice, Yecheon-eup, Yecheon-gun, South Korea. 2. Lakeside Allergy ENT, Rockwall, TX, USA. 3. Vivos Therapeutics, Inc., NM, USA.
Abstract
Objective: In this pilot study, craniofacial changes associated with biomimetic oral appliance therapy (BOAT) were investigated to test the hypothesis of non-surgical remodeling of the maxillary air sinuses in rhinosinusitis. Methods: Three consecutive Korean patients (mean age 9.3 yrs) presented to a dental office with a history of chronic rhinosinusitis. After obtaining informed consent, 3D cone-beam CT scans were taken that showed circumferential mucosal thickening and inflammatory maxillary sinus disease, obstructed ostiomeatuses, and enlarged inferior turbinates. All cases were treated using BOAT (DNA appliance®). Results: Approximately 10 months after BOAT, the paranasal sinuses were aerated without mucosal thickening; the sinus walls were intact, and the ostiomeatal units were patent. All mean craniofacial parameters measured increased, except the transpalatal bone width, which remained unchanged.Discussion: Although enhancement of the maxillary air sinuses through non-surgical remodeling is suspected in these three cases of pediatric rhinosinusitis, additional studies are warranted.
Objective: In this pilot study, craniofacial changes associated with biomimetic oral appliance therapy (BOAT) were investigated to test the hypothesis of non-surgical remodeling of the maxillary air sinuses in rhinosinusitis. Methods: Three consecutive Korean patients (mean age 9.3 yrs) presented to a dental office with a history of chronic rhinosinusitis. After obtaining informed consent, 3D cone-beam CT scans were taken that showed circumferential mucosal thickening and inflammatory maxillary sinus disease, obstructed ostiomeatuses, and enlarged inferior turbinates. All cases were treated using BOAT (DNA appliance®). Results: Approximately 10 months after BOAT, the paranasal sinuses were aerated without mucosal thickening; the sinus walls were intact, and the ostiomeatal units were patent. All mean craniofacial parameters measured increased, except the transpalatal bone width, which remained unchanged.Discussion: Although enhancement of the maxillary air sinuses through non-surgical remodeling is suspected in these three cases of pediatric rhinosinusitis, additional studies are warranted.