Obstructive sleep apnea: diagnosis, medical management and dental implications.
BACKGROUND
Patients with undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) represent a major public health problem, and studies suggest that the incidence of OSA may be even higher than estimated.


METHODS
The authors reviewed current literature describing comorbidities of patients with OSA.


RESULTS
Sleep medicine is a relatively new field. Dental practitioners may lack educational exposure and, as a result, feel uncomfortable asking their patients sleep-related questions. While patients with well-controlled OSA present few difficulties for routine dental treatment, it is imperative that health care professionals understand the comorbidities associated with OSA and that untreated OSA may contribute to increased morbidity and mortality.


CONCLUSIONS
Dental professionals have a unique doctor-patient relationship that affords them a role in recognizing sleep disorders by exploring the history of patients who are sleepy.
Magliocca
Kelly R
KR
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109, USA. cottrk@hotmail.com
Helman
Joseph I
JI
D045422:Continuous Positive Airway Pressure; D017742:Dental Care for Chronically Ill; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D006801:Humans; D019186:Mandibular Advancement; D009056:Mouth Abnormalities / Q000150:complications; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D017090:Occlusal Splints; D017286:Polysomnography; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D016683:Supine Position