Obstructive sleep apnea: potential role of dentist

The review article sheds light upon obstructive sleep apnea and the potential role of a dentist in its diagnosis and treatment. Obstructive Sleep Apnea affects children and adults due to factors ranging from obesity to several conditions that leads to the narrowing of upper airway. The disease is often left undiagnosed and the long-term effects could be harmful. Polysomnography, which is a sleep study, is a standard for establishing a diagnosis. If the condition is not diagnosed and treated, it would lead to a poor quality of life and life-threatening conditions. CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) is one of the most widely accepted treatment. Dentists could play a vital role in early diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea with oral appliances and significantly contribute to improve the quality of life of patients suffering from this disorder.