Evidence map›Paper›PMID 23558604›Full record

ArticleSleep & breathing = Schlaf & Atmung2013

Effects of twin block appliance on obstructive sleep apnea in children: a preliminary study.

Chen Zhang, Hong He, Peter Ngan

Abstract read
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Sleep & breathing = Schlaf & Atmung, 2013. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 30 papers, 5 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
30citing papers in PubMed, 5 pooled it
3.2field-weighted citation impact, top 8% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

30 citing papers in PubMed, 5 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 87 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Comparison of side effects of different mandibular advancement devices for patients with obstructive sleep apnea: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Journal of clinical sleep medicine : JCSM : official publication of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine · 2025
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors at 2 institutions in 2 countries.

Chen ZhangDepartment of Orthodontics, School and Hospital of Stomatology, and Key Lab for Oral Biomedical Engineering, Ministry of Education, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China.
Hong He
Peter Ngan
Wuhan University · CNWest Virginia University · US

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundOral appliances are increasingly advocated as a treatment option for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, it is not clear how the different designs influence treatment efficacy in children. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of twin block (TB) appliance on children with OSA and mandibular retrognathia.

methodsA total of 46 children (31 males, 15 females, aged 9.7 ± 1.5 years, BMI: 18.1 ± 1.04 kg/m(2)) diagnosed with mandibular retrognathia and OSA by polysomnography (PSG) and with no obesity or adenotonsillar hypertrophy were recruited for the study. Patients in the treatment group were instructed to wear the twin block oral appliance full time for an average of 10.8 months. The efficacy of treatment was determined by monitoring the PSG and cephalometric changes before and after appliance removal. Data were analyzed using paired t test.

resultsResults showed an improvement in patient's facial profile after treatment with the TB appliance. The average AHI index decreased from 14.08 ± 4.25 to 3.39 ± 1.86 (p < 0.01), and the lowest SaO2 increased from 77.78 ± 3.38 to 93.63 ± 2.66 (p < 0.01). Cephalometric measurements showed a significant increase in the superior posterior airway space, middle airway space, SNB angle and facial convexity which indicate an enhancement in mandibular growth, and reduction in the soft palate length.

conclusionsThis preliminary study suggests that twin block appliance may improve the patient's facial profile and OSA symptoms in a group of carefully selected children presented with both OSA and mandibular retrognathia symptoms.

Indexed as

Orthodontic Appliances, RemovableCephalometryChildCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleFollow-Up StudiesHumansMaleOrthodontic Appliance DesignPolysomnographyRetrognathiaSleep Apnea, ObstructiveTreatment Outcome

Identifiers

PMID23558604
OpenAlexW2051094585

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.