Obstructive sleep apnea: An oral and maxillofacial radiology perspective

Abstract

Sleep related disorders can have a drastic negative effect on the quality of life of an individual. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is well recognized condition that is characterized by frequent short periods of collapse of the upper airway, complete or partial obstruction of the airway during sleep, associated with snoring and brief arousals, resulting in sleep disturbance and deprivation. OSA is reported as chronic disease affecting approximately 2-4 % of the adults globally, with middle aged being the most affected. The diagnosis and management of OSA requires a multidisciplinary approach comprising of health professionals of various specialties including dental professionals. The emergence of sleep medicine as a specialty focusing exclusively on sleep-related breathing disorders has incorporated health care professionals of various specialties including pulmonologists, otolaryngologists and dentists in the sleep medicine team. Oral Obstructive sleep apnea exhibits various maxillofacial and upper airway features manifestations such as midface and mandibular hypoplasia, micro pharyngeal ptosis involving tonsils and adenoids, followed by specific radiographic air way findings. Maxillofacial Radiologists play a significant role in identifying patients with OSA with subsequent referral to a sleep clinic. Therefore, Oral Medicine and Radiology Specialists play an important role in recognition of obstructive sleep apnea.