Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a very common disorder, affecting a
large percentage of the population. Often undiagnosed, it increases the risk of
heart attack, stroke, arterial hypertension, diabetes and other chronic medical
conditions. Dentists with expertise in sleep medicine can easily identify signs and
symptoms of OSA, facilitate referral, and provide effective treatments in
collaboration with medical providers. This text aims to provide an overview of
relevant topics to dentists who want to include sleep medicine in their clinical
practice. The first part of the book is dedicated to the description and diagnosis of sleepdisordered breathing. The second part discusses different therapeutic options for
treating sleep-disordered breathing. The site of airway obstruction, BMI,
craniofacial anatomy, and sleep position of the patient provide crucial data,
informing the most suitable therapeutic options and the conditions under which
they can be employed. The last chapter describes cases that illustrate the clinical
approach adopted for select patients with OSAS from the first medical consultation
to follow-up. Here the authors showcase the different steps in a multidisciplinary
approach for the management of patients affected by OSAS.