The link between prosthodontics and sleep dentistry

Abstract

The link between prosthodontics and sleep dentistryDear Readers, Sleep is currently a growing concern throughout the world. It has been reported that 30.5% of people in the world have sleep disorders and 51.4% experience poor sleep quality [1]. The increasing health consciousness of people today has led to a significant expansion in the sleep aids market, and wearable devices and smartphone applications for sleep monitoring are being developed. In Japan, Yamaguchi et al., a prosthodontist, developed a wearable single-channel electromyography for measuring sleep bruxism[2], and "dental electromyography during sleep." This device is now covered by national health insurance.Prosthodontists also play an important role in the treatment of two major sleep dental disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and sleep bruxism, including the fabrication of oral appliances (OAs). The Journal of Prosthodontic Research (JPR) has published 22 articles on sleep apnea and/or sleep bruxism every year during the 10-year period from 2013 to 2022. This shows that prosthodontists are interested in and exploring sleep dentistry.