Abstract: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) causes people to feel tired because they are not getting enough sleep. This is because they are constantly woken up by loud snoring and pauses in breathing while they sleep. Screening for OSA and referring patients at risk to sleep physicians is a service that orthodontists are well-suited to provide. In treating OSA, physicians (including advanced practice providers supervised by physicians) may prescribe orthodontic appliances or procedures to appropriately selected adults. A patient's orthodontic condition contributing to their OSA will determine which of three specialized dental appliances their orthodontist will recommend. First, braces and aligners can be used to treat misaligned teeth caused by OSA. As a non-invasive treatment option, oral appliance therapy is frequently prescribed to OSA patients. The recommended oral appliance is a customized, titratable mandibular advancement device (MADs) that permits progressive mandibular protrusion. Despite the superior effectiveness of CPAP in reducing OSA severity, recent studies have revealed that CPAP and MADs therapy have comparable health outcomes. This is likely due to greater nightly MADs compliance compared to CPAP therapy. OSA is, in the majority of cases, a chronic disorder. Because OSA is a complex disorder with multiple facets, the most effective treatments are comprehensive and interdisciplinary. The sleep team, which includes an orthodontist and a sleep dentist, should not be alarmed by the trial-and-error nature of OSA treatment.
Keywords: Obstructive sleep apnea, sleep-disordered breathing, orthodontic sleep apnea, oral appliance titration.
Title: Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Braces
Author: Phusita Thanaunyaporn
International Journal of Healthcare Sciences
ISSN 2348-5728 (Online)
Vol. 10, Issue 1, April 2022 - September 2022
Page No: 168-174
Research Publish Journals
Website: www.researchpublish.com
Published Date: 25-July-2022
