Dental Diagnosis and Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea: An Overview.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by recurrent episodes of upper airway obstruction that result in interrupted breathing during sleep. Left untreated, OSA can be associated with a range of serious long-term health risks. Despite OSA being a prevalent, potentially dangerous condition, approximately only 10% to 20% of patients are diagnosed and appropriately treated. Dentists can play a critical role in the identification and management of OSA. This article provides an evidence-based review of the diagnosis and treatment of OSA from a dental perspective. It discusses the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and clinical presentation of OSA as well as information on oral appliance therapy as a treatment option and the dentist's role as part of a multidisciplinary team in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of sleep-related breathing disorders.