Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Abstract

Sleep apnea, and particularly obstructive sleep apnea, is a common disorder that is characterized by a repetitive, partial or complete cessation of air flow, associated with oxyhemoglobin desaturation and an increased effort to breath. In recent years, orthodontists have been interested and involved in the management of this disorder since it has been shown that oral appliance therapy can be an effective treatment approach for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The purpose of this article is to present a review of OSA by describing this disorder, its diagnosis, currently available treatment modalities and, in particular, the role of oral appliance therapy in its treatment.