నైరూప్య

Maxillary deformity following CPAP treatment in Myasthenia Gravis

Yaron Haviv

Background: Myasthenia gravis (MG) patients are characterized by muscle weakness, and therefore may use a continuous positive airway pressure(CPAP) machine in order to easily breathe especially during the night.

Case description: A 29-year-old MG male patient attended the Department of oral medicine for dental treatment and orthodontic consultation. The patient used a CPAP during nights since he was 12 years old. Tight fitting of the nasal mask along with lack of sufficient muscle resistance due to the disease, applied enough force and caused severe maxillary deformity and occlusion disorder.

Practical implication: Treatment approach combining orthodontics and CPAP engineering in order to spread the orthopedic force more evenly, may lead to reduced facial disfigurement later in life.