Abordaje odontológico en el tratamiento de la apnea obstructiva del sueño en adultos: Una revisión de la literatura

Abstract

Introduction: The dental treatment of obstructive sleep apnea includes oral appliances, functional orthodontics, and surgical approaches such as maxillomandibular advancement. These interventions aim to modify the bone structure or mandibular position to improve airway patency. Objective: To evaluate the dental approach in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea in adults. Materials and Methods: A descriptive and cross-sectional literature review was conducted on obstructive sleep apnea, including 31 articles selected from databases such as Scopus, Taylor & Francis, and PubMed, using keywords and inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: Several studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of dental treatment in obstructive sleep apnea, showing that oral appliances (monobloc and biobloc) and surgical approaches significantly improve the apnea- hypopnea index and airway volume. The use of oral appliances has shown favorable clinical outcomes, with minimal side effects and good long-term tolerance. Surgery, particularly maxillomandibular advancement, has achieved high success rates, even in patients who did not respond to other treatments. Both approaches have contributed to improved sleep quality and patient quality of life. Conclusion: Through intraoral devices or surgery, the dental approach represents a safe and effective option for treating obstructive sleep apnea in adults. The treatment choice should be adapted to each case, considering the severity of the disorder and individual anatomical characteristics. Keywords: obstructive sleep apnea, dental treatment, oral appliance, mandibular advancement, surgery.