Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2016 Feb 12;6(3-4):81-6.
doi: 10.11138/ads/2015.6.3.081. eCollection 2015 Jul-Dec.

Italian recommendations on dental support in the treatment of adult obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS)

Luca Levrini  1 , Franco Sacchi  2 , Francesca Milano  3 , Antonella Polimeni  4 , Paolo Cozza  5 , Edoardo Bernkopf  6 , Marzia Segù  7 ; Italian dentist work group about OSAS Collaborators; Marco Zucconi  1 , Claudio Vicini  1 , Enrico Brunello  1
Affiliations
Review

Italian recommendations on dental support in the treatment of adult obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS)

Luca Levrini et al. Ann Stomatol (Roma). .

Abstract

Background: The aim of the present article is to present a set of proposed clinical recommendations aimed at Italian dentists involved in the management of patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome or snoring.

Methods: With the purpose of creating a study group, some of the most important Italian scientific societies operating in fields relevant to the issue of sleep medicine in dentistry were asked to appoint a representative. Each member of the study group was required to answer questions regarding the clinical management of OSAS and snoring.

Results: Oral appliances can be used to treat: - simple snoring, in patients who do not respond to, or do not appear to be suitable candidates for behavioral measures such as weight loss or positional therapy; - mild or moderate OSAS, in patients who prefer OAs to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or who are not suitable candidates for CPAP, because of its failure or failure of behavioral approaches like weight loss or positional therapy; - severe OSAS, in patients who do not respond to or do not tolerate CPAP and in whom no indication for either maxillofacial or ENT surgery appears applicable.

Conclusions: The application of oral appliances is highly desirable in cases of simple snoring or mild to moderate OSAS, whereas considerable caution is warranted when treating severe OSAS. It is fundamental to ensure that the patient understands his problem and, at the same time, to present all the various treatment options.

Keywords: guidelines; obstructive sleep apnea syndrome; oral appliance; snoring.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Epstein LJ, Kristo D, Strollo PJ, Jr, Friedman N, Malhotra A, Patil SP, Ramar K, Rogers R, Schwab RJ, Weaver EM, Weinstein MD Adult Obstructive Sleep Apnea Task Force of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Clinical guideline for the evaluation, management and long-term care of obstructive sleep apnea in adults. J Clin Sleep Med. 2009;5(3):263–76. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Stradling J, Dookun R. Snoring and the role of the GDP: British Society of Dental Sleep Medicine (BSDSM) pre-treatment protocol. Br Dent J Mar. 2009;206(6):307–12. - PubMed
    1. Schwarting S, Huebers U, Heise M, Schlieper J, Hauschild A. Position paper on the use of mandibular advancement devices in adults with sleep-related breathing disorders. A position paper of the German Society of Dental Sleep Medicine (Deutsche Gesellschaft Zahnaerztliche Schlafmedizin, DGZS) Sleep Breath. 2007;11:125–126. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Communication to associates. 2012. American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine and American Academy of Sleep Medicine joint policy statement on the diagnosis and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.
    1. Pliska BT, Almeida F. Effectiveness and outcome of oral appliance therapy. Dental Clinic of North America. 2012;56:433–444. - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources