A comparison of the edentulous and dentate prosthodontic patient for the occurrence of obstructive sleep apnea [electronic resource] /

by Patel, Mayur Mahendra.

A Comparison of the Edentulous and Dentate Prosthodontic Patient for the Occurrence of Obstructive Sleep Apnea The purpose of this study was to determine if there were any differences in the occurrence of obstructive sleep apnea in patients with teeth and without teeth. Forty middle-aged subjects were screened, 20 were wearers of maxillary and mandibular complete dentures, and 20 were dentate patients. All subjects were screened via five screening tools: the Epworth Sleepiness Scale survey, measurement of neck size, calculated body mass index, and an intraoral exam visualizing the throat and determining the presence or absence of snoring. The study found no statistical difference between the two groups for the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea. However, the study did find a direct correlation between the five screening tools. In conclusion, while there is no difference between edentulous and dentate patients for the occurrence of obstructive sleep apnea, the screening tools are effective in determining the presence of obstructive sleep apnea and should be used during routine patient exams.