Sleep Apnea / Hypopnea Syndrome – A Review

Abstract

The sleep apnoea/hyperpnoea syndrome is characterized by repeated upper airway narrowing or collapse during sleep. These episodes are accompanied by hypoxemia, surges in blood pressure, brief arousal from sleep and pronounced snoring. The signs and symptoms of OSAS may be recognizable in the practice of Dental and Oral Maxillofacial surgery. Common findings in the medical history include day time sleepiness, snoring, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Common clinical findings include male gender, obesity, increased neck circumference, excessive fat deposition in the palate, tongue (macroglossia) and pharynx, a long soft palate, a small recessive maxilla and mandible, and calcified carotid artery atheroma on panoramic and lateral cephalometric radiograph. After confirmation of the diagnosis by a physician, Dental surgeons and Oral maxillofacial surgeons can participate in the management of the disorder by fabricating mandibular advancement appliances that enlarge the retroglossal space by anterior displacement of tongue, and performing corrective upper airway surgery that prevents recurrent airway obstruction respectively.