Important Key Points

• It is very important to know that sleep-related breathing disorders can comprise a variety of diagnoses, from snoring, upper airway resistance syndrome, central sleep apnea, hypopnea, and even obstructive sleep apnea better known as (OSA). OSA is the top prevalent form of sleep apnea, to date it accounts for over 80% of sleep-disordered breathing cases in the U.S alone.
• OSA occurs with recurrent narrowing or collapse of the upper airway during sleep. This results in partial or complete cessation of airflow despite the continued respiratory effort. There are multiple risk factors associated with OSA from oral or craniofacial abnormalities (e.g., large tongue or tonsils, retrognathia), to anthropometric features (e.g., obesity), male gender and advanced age. OSA also comes with several health consequences, ranging from excessive daytime sleepiness and often times impaired cognitive function to chronic hypertension, coronary heart failure, neurocognitive dysfunction and even ischemic stroke.
• OSA is a common sleep disorder and should never be left untreated. Surprisingly, OSA is also often underdiagnosed, and the risk factors and predisposing symptoms of OSA can be identified in various clinical settings, including dental practice. See your local dentist today!