title: The orthodontist and the obstructive sleep apnea patient.
abstract: Obstructive sleep apnea is a common breathing disorder with serious effects on a patient's health and quality of life. Orthodontists should be aware of the disease and competent at recognizing common signs and symptoms in their patients. Due to their expertise and familiarity with growth and development as well as orthopedic and surgical correction of the jaws, orthodontists are ideally suited to treat OSA patients. The goal of this article is to provide an overview to orthodontists on the important role they can play in the treatment of this serious and often under-diagnosed disease.
authors.affiliation: University of British Columbia Faculty of Dentistry.
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pliska
authors.forename: Alan A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Lowe
authors.forename: Fernanda R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Almeida
mesh_terms: D045422:Continuous Positive Airway Pressure; D006801:Humans; D019186:Mandibular Advancement / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D017090:Occlusal Splints; D010155:Palatal Expansion Technique; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000628:therapy*