Obstructive sleep apnea and orthodontics: An American Association of Orthodontists White Paper

Evaluating the Reliability of CBCT Airway Measurement: A Pilot Study

“…Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep-related breathing disorder that occurs as a function of increased collapsibility of the upper airway during sleep. [1] Individuals suffering from OSA experience repetitive episodes of cessation of breathing (apnea) or partial upper airway obstruction (hypopneas). [2] The diagnosis of OSA requires ve or more episodes of apnea or hypopnea per hour of sleep.…”

“…[3] The etiology is multifactorial and includes impaired neuromuscular tone, unfavorable craniofacial structures, and other related factors. [1] Common risk factors for OSA include obesity, advanced age, male gender, postmenopausal status in women, race, and craniofacial dysmorphisms. [4] Untreated OSA can increase the risk of excessive daytime sleepiness, decreased scholastic and occupational performance, insulin resistance, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, hypertension, stroke, cardiac arrhythmia, and sudden cardiac death.…”

“…[4] Untreated OSA can increase the risk of excessive daytime sleepiness, decreased scholastic and occupational performance, insulin resistance, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, hypertension, stroke, cardiac arrhythmia, and sudden cardiac death. [1] The gravity of untreated OSA is undeniable; however, the orthodontist's role in the treatment of OSA remains controversial. The "White Paper: Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Orthodontics" published by the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) task force on OSA and Orthodontics provides a comprehensive summary of OSA and its relation to orthodontics.…”

“…The AAO task force concluded that no orthodontic treatments have been shown to cause or increase the likelihood of OSA; rather, some forms of orthodontic treatment have been shown to be important in the treatment of OSA. [1] Participation in the treatment of OSA is not mandatory for orthodontists; however, orthodontists are encouraged to be familiar with the signs and symptoms of OSA and are strongly recommended to screen patients for known OSA risk factors. [1] Patients with OSA risk factors should be referred to a physician for further evaluation and de nitive diagnosis.…”

“…[1] Participation in the treatment of OSA is not mandatory for orthodontists; however, orthodontists are encouraged to be familiar with the signs and symptoms of OSA and are strongly recommended to screen patients for known OSA risk factors. [1] Patients with OSA risk factors should be referred to a physician for further evaluation and de nitive diagnosis. [1] Some proposed OSA screening methods involve cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) analysis of the airway.…”