The Dental Side of Sleep

Since its inception, Sleep Review has been providing its readers with the most useful and up-to-date clinical information available in the field of sleep medicine. In keeping with this tradition, Sleep Review will present a series of articles dedicated to dental sleep medicine.

A dentist trained in the treatment of sleep disorders can provide a host of new and complementary treatment options and solutions as part of a multidisciplinary team approach to the treatment of sleep disordered breathing. The use of oral appliances for the treatment of sleep disordered breathing is no longer in question, only the proper and appropriate use of these devices needs clarification.

Additionally, the developmental and surgical concerns of the sleep disordered breathing patient may be addressed via orthodontic and surgical intervention provided by dental specialists. With more than 50 appliances available and dozens of surgical and orthodontic procedures to choose from, it can be difficult to decide which devices and procedures may work best. This series will include the latest available research and information presented by the foremost clinicians and researchers in the field.

Don A. Pantino, DDS, is president of the Academy of Sleep Medicine ( www.dentalsleepmed.com ); is associate clinical professor at the State University School of Dentistry and Medicine at Stony Brook, NY; and is on the Editorial Advisory Board of Sleep Review.