Dental considerations in upper airway sleep disorders: A review of the literature

Statement Of Problem. Upper airway sleep disorders are becoming recognized as common medical concerns. Multiple treatment options have been advocated, including the use of dental devices. Dental practitioners are being asked by the medical profession to become a part of the treatment team. This may be a challenging task because of the large number of dental devices available, rapid advancement in the understanding of this disease, and numerous publications. Purpose. This article reviews the anatomic features and etiologic factors of upper airway sleep disorders and medical and dental treatment options. Methods. The literature review was conducted with an accepted literature research tool, PubMed, developed by the National Library of Medicine. Key words searched included “obstructive sleep apnea,” “sleep apnea,” “sleep disorders,” and “snoring.” Conclusion. Dental devices are indicated in snoring and mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnea patients after medical evaluation and referral. (J Prosthet Dent 1999;82:685-98.)