Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Tooth Fractures

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is more frequent in patients presenting with tooth fractures, suggests a new study published in The International Journal of Periodontic and Restorative Dentistry.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a severe sleep disorder characterized by recurrent interrupted breathing during sleep. The symptoms of sleep apnea include loud snoring, gasping, choking during sleep, difficulty staying asleep, and excessive daytime sleepiness.

Factors which make individuals more prone to developing OSA include:

• Obesity
• Age, particularly those over the age of 65
• Smokers
• Users of sedatives
• People with medical conditions such as hypothyroidism and craniofacial abnormalities

Since OSA involves the soft tissues in the mouth and many dental problems may be associated with the development of sleep apnea, a dentist may be the first medical professional to diagnose the problem.

Several factors in the pathophysiology of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may increase the likelihood of excessive occlusal loads. Increased occlusal loads may compromise a tooth’s mechanical resistance. This prospective controlled study assessed the frequency of OSA in patients presenting with tooth fracture. Patients with and without tooth fractures were selected in a consecutive manner from a private dental clinic between February 2018 and January 2020. Demographic and dental variables were registered. A parafunctional habits questionnaire, anthropometric measurements, and validated respiratory polygraphy were performed. Descriptive, comparative, and correlation statistical analyses were performed. Multiple regression analysis was also performed.

Fifty-nine patients were included, and 29 presented tooth fracture. Patients with a tooth fracture formed the case group and patients without tooth fracture formed the control group. Patient age was significantly higher in the case group (59 ± 13 years) compared to the control group (44 ± 11 years). Most of the fractured teeth were molars, had a natural tooth as an antagonist, and were not endodontically treated. Twenty-one patients had OSA (apnea-hypopnea index: ≥ 5 events per hour) in the case group compared with 12 patients in the control group (P = .027). Moreover, the patients in the case group had a significantly higher apnea-hypopnea index (P = .000). Multiple regression analysis showed that only age had a significant effect on tooth fracture (P = .002). However, there was a statistically significant relationship between OSA and the presence of tooth fracture in patients aged ≥ 40 years (P = .041).

The researchers concluded that Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was more frequent in patients presenting with tooth fractures.

Reference

Eduardo Anitua, DDS, PhD/Carlos Flores, DDS/Joaquín Durán-Cantolla, MD, PhD/Gabriela Zamora Almeida, BSc (Psych)/Mohammad Hamdan Alkhraisat. Frequency of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Patients Presenting with Tooth Fractures: A Prospective Controlled Study. The International Journal of Periodontic and Restorative Dentistry. DOI: 10.11607/prd.5461