Snoring treatment options with oral appliances

Hrkanje je jedan od vodećih poremećaja spavanja. Iako nije bolest, vodeći je simptom opstruktivne apneje pri spavanju (OSA) koja, ako nije liječena, može dovesti do ozbiljnih medicinskih i društvenih problema. Uz pospanost i smanjenu kvalitetu života javljaju se i kardiovaskularni poremećaji zbog učestalih noćnih hipoksija i hiperkapnija: povišen krvni i plućni tlak, srčane pogreške, koronarne srčane bolesti, aritmija, cerebrovaskularni poremećaji i iznenadna smrt. Uloga dentalne medicine tu postaje sve važnija na više razina, počevši od samog prepoznavanja poremećaja, upućivanja specijalistu, ali i samog liječenja. Nakon neinvazivnih metoda, poput modifikacije ponašanja pacijenata, prvi su izbor liječenja intraoralne naprave, pogotovo kod pacijenata s blagom do umjerenom OSA-om. Zbog toga postoji potreba za savladavanjem znanja i sposobnosti u izradi takvih naprava.Snoring is one of the leading sleep disorders. Although not a disease, it is the leading symptom of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) which, untreated, can lead to serious medical and social problems. Along with drowsiness and reduced quality of life, there are also cardiovascular disorders caused by frequent nocturnal hypoxemia and hypercapnia: increased blood and pulmonary pressure, heart defects, coronary heart disease, arrhythmia, cerebrovascular disorders and sudden death. The role of dental medicine in this field is becoming increasingly important on several levels, starting with the recognition of the disorder, referral to a specialist, and finally the treatment. After non-invasive methods such as patient behavior modification, the first choices of treatment are oral appliances, especially in patients with mild to moderate OSA. Because of that, there is a need for knowledge and skills in the development of such devices