Obstructive Sleep Apnea And Its Management: A Literature Review

Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a disorder of breathing during sleep characterized by prolonged partial upper airway obstruction and/or intermittent complete obstruction that disrupts the normal ventilation during sleep and normal sleep patterns. It is a common condition in childhood and can result in significant health complications if left untreated.

Early diagnosis of OSA has the potential to decrease morbidity and increase the quality of life, but diagnosis is frequently delayed. Thorough clinical and oral examination can show signs and symptoms of existing OSA. While the gold standard test to diagnose OSA is overnight, attended, in-laboratory polysomnography (PSG)., there are more conservative  ways such as questionnaires to diagnose the indications of this disorder.

Treatment for OSArequires long-term and multidisciplinary management and Continuous positive airway pressure therapy (CPAP) is often the first approach of management mainly in adults. Mild severity cases showing no improvement by CPAP therapy can also be managed using several oral appliances with different principles of action. Aim of this review is to study the clinical aspects of sleep apnea , its affect on dental and general health and alternative techniques of managing the OSA with oral appliances and recent  technologies.

Keywords- Sleep Apnea, Obstructive, Oral Appliances, Airway Management