Abstract
Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is a pervasive medical disorder associated with important morbidities. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is one such chronic condition of upper airway collapse during sleep characterized by repetitive episodes of cessation of respiration (apnea) or decrements in airflow (hypopnea), associated with sleep fragmentation, arousals, and reductions in oxygen saturation.
Loss of teeth or edentulism plays a vital role in the respiratory process, body balance, and, in turn, the overall health of the stomatognathic system. The subject of sleep medicine, for dental professionals in general and prosthodontists in particular, continues to offer significant challenges and opportunities in terms of diagnosis, treatment planning, and treatment based on qualitative evidence.
Biography
