title: Italian recommendations on dental support in the treatment of adult obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the present article is to present a set of proposed clinical recommendations aimed at Italian dentists involved in the management of patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome or snoring.
  
  
  METHODS
  With the purpose of creating a study group, some of the most important Italian scientific societies operating in fields relevant to the issue of sleep medicine in dentistry were asked to appoint a representative. Each member of the study group was required to answer questions regarding the clinical management of OSAS and snoring.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Oral appliances can be used to treat: - simple snoring, in patients who do not respond to, or do not appear to be suitable candidates for behavioral measures such as weight loss or positional therapy; - mild or moderate OSAS, in patients who prefer OAs to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or who are not suitable candidates for CPAP, because of its failure or failure of behavioral approaches like weight loss or positional therapy; - severe OSAS, in patients who do not respond to or do not tolerate CPAP and in whom no indication for either maxillofacial or ENT surgery appears applicable.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The application of oral appliances is highly desirable in cases of simple snoring or mild to moderate OSAS, whereas considerable caution is warranted when treating severe OSAS. It is fundamental to ensure that the patient understands his problem and, at the same time, to present all the various treatment options.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Chirurgiche e Morfologiche, Università degli Studi dell'Insubria, Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Levrini
authors.affiliation: Società Italiana Medicina del Sonno Odontoiatrica, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sacchi
authors.affiliation: Società Italiana Medicina del Sonno Odontoiatrica, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Milano
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Odontostomatologiche e Maxillo Facciali, Università di Roma "Sapienza", Roma, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Polimeni
authors.affiliation: Università degli Studi di Roma "Tor Vergata", Roma, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cozza
authors.affiliation: Associazione Nazionale Dentisti Italiani, Vicenza, Italy.
authors.forename: Edoardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bernkopf
authors.affiliation: Unità per lo Studio del dolore orofacciale e dei disordini temporomandibolari, University of Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Marzia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Segù
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Chirurgiche e Morfologiche, Università degli Studi dell'Insubria, Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zucconi
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Chirurgiche e Morfologiche, Università degli Studi dell'Insubria, Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vicini
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Chirurgiche e Morfologiche, Università degli Studi dell'Insubria, Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Brunello
keywords: guidelines; obstructive sleep apnea syndrome; oral appliance; snoring