Orthodontics and Obstructive Sleep Apnoea: Why Screening and Airway Management Matter

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a prevalent sleep-related breathing disorder marked by repeated upper airway collapse during sleep, resulting in disrupted sleep and adverse health outcomes ranging from daytime sleepiness to cardiovascular risks. Left undiagnosed, OSA contributes to impaired quality of life, hypertension, stroke, and metabolic dysfunction.

While Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) remains the gold standard treatment, patients often struggle with adherence. This reality, combined with the multifactorial nature of OSA — including craniofacial anatomy — has elevated interest in the role of dentistry and orthodontics in screening and management.

Orthodontists are uniquely positioned to screen patients for signs of OSA during routine examinations, including reviewing airway-related risk factors such as retrognathia, high-arched palate, or narrow maxillary arches. When OSA is suspected, referral for polysomnography or specialist assessment is essential before any definitive treatment.

Emerging evidence suggests that certain orthodontic interventions may positively influence airway dimensions and sleep-related outcomes. For example, maxillary expansion and mandibular advancement procedures have been shown to increase upper airway volume and decrease the Apnoea-Hypopnea Index (AHI), a key measure of OSA severity.

Airway-centric orthodontic care does not replace sleep medicine diagnosis but serves as a valuable adjunct in a multidisciplinary treatment plan — especially for patients with skeletal discrepancies contributing to airway obstruction.

In summary, screening for OSA risk should be part of comprehensive orthodontic care, and airway-focused interventions informed by collaboration with sleep specialists can complement traditional treatments, enhancing both sleep quality and overall health.

References (APA 7th Edition)

Dahhas, F. Y., Baqer, A. A., Mitwalli, M. E., et al. (2025). Orthodontics and obstructive sleep apnoea: Evaluating the evidence on airway changes. Cureus.

Effect of orthodontic treatment on airway dimensions in patients with obstructive sleep apnea: A prospective study. (2024). Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences.

Interdisciplinary role of orthodontist in screening and managing obstructive sleep apnea in children and adults. (2024). PubMed.

The role of orthodontists in the multidisciplinary management of obstructive sleep apnea. (2024). Progress in Orthodontics.

The role of orthodontics in management of obstructive sleep apnea. (2022). PubMed.

Orthodontics and obstructive sleep apnea: A comprehensive study of airway effects and treatment approaches. (2023). Journal of Innovations in Medical Research.