The Role of Dentistry
in the Treatment of Sleep Related Breathing Disorders
Adopted by ADA’s 2017 House of Delegates
Sleep related breathing disorders (SRBD) are disorders characterized by disruptions in normal breathing
patterns. SRBDs are potentially serious medical conditions caused by anatomical airway collapse and
altered respiratory control mechanisms. Common SRBDs include snoring, upper airway resistance
syndrome (UARS) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA has been associated with metabolic,
cardiovascular, respiratory, dental and other diseases. In children, undiagnosed and/or untreated OSA
can be associated with cardiovascular problems, impaired growth as well as learning and behavioral
problems.
Dentists can and do play an essential role in the multidisciplinary care of patients with certain sleep
related breathing disorders and are well positioned to identify patients at greater risk of SRBD. SRBD can
be caused by a number of multifactorial medical issues and are therefore best treated through a
collaborative model. Working in conjunction with our colleagues in medicine, dentists have various
methods of mitigating these disorders. In children, the dentist’s recognition of suboptimal early
craniofacial growth and development or other risk factors may lead to medical referral or
orthodontic/orthopedic intervention to treat and/or prevent SRBD. Various surgical modalities exist to treat
SRBD. Oral appliances, specifically custom-made, titratable devices can improve SRBD in adult patients
compared to no therapy or placebo devices. Oral appliance therapy (OAT) can improve OSA in adult
patients, especially those who are intolerant of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Dentists are
the only health care provider with the knowledge and expertise to provide OAT.
The dentist’s role in the treatment of SRBD includes the following:
Dentists are encouraged to screen patients for SRBD as part of a comprehensive medical
and dental history to recognize symptoms such as daytime sleepiness, choking, snoring or
witnessed apneas and an evaluation for risk factors such as obesity, retrognathia, or
hypertension. If risk for SRBD is determined, these patients should be referred, as needed, to
the appropriate physicians for proper diagnosis.
In children, screening through history and clinical examination may identify signs and
symptoms of deficient growth and development, or other risk factors that may lead to airway
issues. If risk for SRBD is determined, intervention through medical/dental referral or
evidenced based treatment may be appropriate to help treat the SRBD and/or develop an
optimal physiologic airway and breathing pattern.
Oral appliance therapy is an appropriate treatment for mild and moderate sleep apnea, and
for severe sleep apnea when a CPAP is not tolerated by the patient.
When oral appliance therapy is prescribed by a physician through written or electronic order
for an adult patient with obstructive sleep apnea, a dentist should evaluate the patient for the
appropriateness of fabricating a suitable oral appliance. If deemed appropriate, a dentist
should fabricate an oral appliance.
Dentists should obtain appropriate patient consent for treatment that reviews the proposed
treatment plan, all available options and any potential side effects of using OAT and expected
appliance longevity.
Dentists treating SRBD with OAT should be capable of recognizing and managing the
potential side effects through treatment or proper referral.
Dentists who provide OAT to patients should monitor and adjust the Oral Appliance (OA) for
treatment efficacy as needed, or at least annually. As titration of OAs has been shown to
affect the final treatment outcome and overall OA success, the use of unattended
cardiorespiratory (Type 3) or (Type 4) portable monitors may be used by the dentist to help
define the optimal target position of the mandible. A dentist trained in the use of these
portable monitoring devices may assess the objective interim results for the purposes of OA
titration.
Surgical procedures may be considered as a secondary treatment for OSA when CPAP or
OAT is inadequate or not tolerated. In selected cases, such as patients with concomitant
dentofacial deformities, surgical intervention may be considered as a primary treatment.
Dentists treating SRBD should continually update their knowledge and training of dental
sleep medicine with related continuing education.
Dentists should maintain regular communications with the patient’s referring physician and
other healthcare providers to the patient’s treatment progress and any recommended follow-
up treatment.
Follow-up sleep testing by a physician should be conducted to evaluate the improvement or
confirm treatment efficacy for the OSA, especially if the patient develops recurring OSA
relevant symptoms or comorbidities.