Division of Orthodontics, Department of Oral Health Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of British Columbia, 2199 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6T 1Z3.
Sleep Breath. 2013 May;17(2):473-86. doi: 10.1007/s11325-012-0712-4. Epub 2012 May 6.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is increasingly being recognized by the public due to its life-threatening and low curability rate nature. Oral appliances (OAs) were introduced as a treatment option for both non-apneic snoring and OSA to maintain the patency of the upper airway during sleep by repositioning the mandible, tongue, and soft palate.
Over the past decade, OAs are enthusiastically studied and concluded as a simple, silent, bed partner-friendly, less invasive, tolerable, and efficacious choice for mild-to-moderate OSA. In the meantime, some challenges remain uncertain such as titration management, 3D image diagnostic tools reliability, and long-term adherence for adult patients. Improvement of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) monitoring and management is recommended, although there is no scientific evidence suggesting consistent undesirable long-term effects of OA on the TMJ. Now that pediatric OSA is being diagnosed more frequently, OA therapy is becoming a promising option for children as well.
Consistent follow-up and management are needed to increase clinical success rates in OA therapy for OSA. Further educational preparation and support is required for dental and medical professionals to recognize OSA and ensure the best possible patient care.
阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停（OSA）由于其危及生命和低治愈率的特点，越来越受到公众的关注。口腔矫治器（OA）作为一种治疗非呼吸暂停性打鼾和 OSA 的方法被引入，通过重新定位下颌、舌头和软腭来保持上气道在睡眠中的通畅。
在过去的十年中，OA 被广泛研究，并被认为是一种简单、安静、不影响伴侣、微创、可耐受和有效的选择，适用于轻至中度 OSA。同时，一些挑战仍然不确定，例如滴定管理、3D 图像诊断工具的可靠性以及成年患者的长期依从性。建议改善颞下颌关节（TMJ）的监测和管理，尽管没有科学证据表明 OA 对 TMJ 有一致的不良长期影响。由于现在儿童 OSA 的诊断越来越频繁，OA 治疗也成为儿童的一种有前途的选择。
需要进行持续的随访和管理，以提高 OA 治疗 OSA 的临床成功率。牙科和医疗专业人员需要进一步的教育准备和支持，以认识到 OSA 并确保为患者提供最佳的护理。
