Scribd
Upload
427 views3 pages

Obstructive Sleep Apnea, An Orthodontic Approach

in this article, sleep apnea is defined and discussed briefly from an orthodontic approach of management.

Uploaded by

Jaber Abdullah
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
427 views3 pages

Obstructive Sleep Apnea, An Orthodontic Approach

in this article, sleep apnea is defined and discussed briefly from an orthodontic approach of management.

Uploaded by

Jaber Abdullah
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

If you have obstructive Sleep Apnea OSA and breathing pauses for brief period while you are

sleep, normally when you breath-in through your mouth and nose air flows and a negative suction pressure pulls the muscles and soft tissue in the mouth inwards which make the muscles of the pharynx to respond and push them outward. During sleeping, the muscles and soft tissues relax resulting in drop inward but not enough to block the airway. In case of OSA, muscles may relax more and completely block the airway leading to lack of oxygen in the lung and body which cause many episode of waking ups and gasping for air. This will prevent a restful sleep. There are many factors can contribute to OSA including: Obesity: more fat maybe present in wall of pharynx Small receding jaw with a narrow airway ( retrognathic mandible) Loss of muscle tone in pharynx due to aging Swollen tonsils Acromegaly Macroglossia

Day time symptoms: Non-restorative Excessive day time somnolence Forgetfulness Troubled concentration Morning headache

Night time symptoms: Snoring Thrashing in bed Nocturnal gasping Frequent awakening Nucturia Insomnia

By: Jaber Abdullah


BDS, mOrth resident

Clinical findings: Pockets under eyes Mouth breather face with retruded mandible Open-bite and severe molar class II Constricted arch with high vault palate

Radiographic findings:

Retrognathic mandible Steep mandible angle Long anterior Face height Short Posterior Face Height

Management: Continuous positive air pressure device (Fig.1) Tonsillectomy (Open bite and cross bite are related to tonsillectomy where marked normalization of mentioned cases were observed) (Fig.2)

Fig.1
By: Jaber Abdullah
BDS, mOrth resident

Fig.2

Rapid Palatal Expansion, around 4.5-6 mm at Palatal suture (Early intervention In cases of: High narrow palate, deep bite, Retrusive mandible) (Fig.3) Mandibular advancement device (Fig.4) Maxillary mandibular advancement surgery Surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion Apnex Hypoglossal nerve stimulation System (It is designed to activate the muscles in the upper airway to ensure the airway remains open during sleep) (Fig.6)

Fig.3

Fig.4

Fig.5

Fig.6

Conclusion: Sleep Apnea is a very serious condition that should be diagnosed early and aggressive management should start Early. Education of the patients, dentists and orthodontists. Teamwork is the key of proper diagnosis and treatment.

For more intellectual cases visit us on: https://www.facebook.com/World.Of.Dentistry

By: Jaber Abdullah


BDS, mOrth resident

You might also like