title: Oral appliance management of obstructive sleep apnea: a case report.
abstract: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and snoring are common related conditions with major health and social implications. OSA is a progressive disease with symptoms of daytime sleepiness and chronic cardiovascular morbidity A mandibular advancement oral appliance is the only nonsurgical management modality available if continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) cannot be tolerated. A patient who had been diagnosed with OSA was successfully treated but developed a posterior open bite and symptomatic temporomandibular joints (TMJ). An integrated approach to managing his OSA and TMJ conditions enabled him to have a comfortable and stable bite and to continue using his obstructive sleep apnea appliance. Management of OSA with an oral appliance should be handled by a dentist who is trained and experienced in the overall care of oral health, temporomandibular joints, dental occlusion, and associated structures. A team approach starting with the diagnosis of OSA by a physician and management by a dentist is described.
authors.affiliation: Sleep Disorders Center & TMJ/Headache Center, UMass Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, USA.
authors.forename: Larry Z
authors.initials: LZ
authors.lastname: Lockerman
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019186:Mandibular Advancement / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017090:Occlusal Splints; D024343:Open Bite / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000628:therapy*; D013706:Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy