Changes in sleep parameters following biomimetic oral appliance therapy: A case report

Figure 1 Pre-treatment upper and lower study models: Note that the upper and lower arches appear to be reduced in size with mild crowding and wear facets of the upper and lower anterior teeth.

Figure 2 Pre-treatment cone-beam computed tomography scan: Note that the minimum transpalatal bone width measured at the cervical margin of the mesio-palatal cusps of the first molars is approximate 32 mm.

Figure 3 The biomimetic appliance used in this study: Note 6 anterior 3D axial springs; midline anterior/posterior screws; occlusal pads; retentive clasps, a labial bow and a screw-fin mechanism.

Figure 4 Post-treatment upper and lower study models: Note the upper study model shows an increased in size with partial recapture of the premolar spaces.

Figure 5 Post-treatment cone-beam computed tomography scan. Note that the minimum transpalatal bone width measured at the cervical margin of the mesio-palatal cusps of the first molars has increased from 32 mm pre-treatment to approx. 34.2 mm post-treatment over 10 mo.

Figure 6 Finite-element analysis of the pre- and post-treatment upper arch. Note the pseudocolor scale indicates a localized size increases of 15%-20% in the incisal region, 15%-17% in the premolar regions and 15%-23% in the molar regions (orange-yellow coloration). Node A: Contact point of central incisors in midline at incisive papilla; Node B: Medial-most point on cingulum of right cuspid at cervical margin; Node C: Medial-most point on cingulum of left cuspid at cervical margin; Node D: Medial-most point on palatal cusp of right second premolar at cervical margin; Node E: Medial-most point on palatal cusp of left second premolar at cervical margin; Node F: Medial-most point of mesio-palatal cusps of right first molar at cervical margin; and Node G: Medial-most point of mesio-palatal cusps of right first molar at cervical margin.