Morphological Evaluation of the Soft Palate in Oral Submucous Fibrosis Using Digital Lateral Cephalometry: A Comparative Study with Implications for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Risk

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a chronic condition marked by progressive collagen deposition in the oral mucosa, leading to tissue stiffness and functional limitations. As fibrosis extends, structural alterations in the soft palate may occur, potentially narrowing the upper airway. These anatomical changes have been hypothesized to increase the likelihood of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) due to compromised airflow during sleep.AimTo assess and compare soft palate morphology in OSMF patients and healthy individuals using digital lateral cephalograms, and to explore potential implications for OSAS risk.MethodsThis retrospective radiographic study analyzed lateral cephalograms of 40 participants, 20 with clinically confirmed OSMF and 20 healthy controls. Soft palate morphology was categorized using the six-type classification proposed by, Linear measurements, including anteroposterior (AP) length and superoinferior (SI) width, were obtained using DICOM imaging software. Data was analyzed using the Chi-square and independent t-tests, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant.ResultsTypes 3 and 6 soft palates were predominant in OSMF patients, especially in advanced stages, while Type 1 was most common in healthy controls. A significant reduction in AP length was observed in the OSMF group (26.9 ± 2.6 mm vs. 31.6 ± 2.3 mm; p < 0.05). The increase in SI width was not statistically significant (p > 0.05).ConclusionMorphological changes in the soft palate among OSMF patients, particularly reduced AP length and altered shape, may suggest a higher anatomical risk for OSAS. Further studies incorporating sleep assessments are recommended to confirm this association