Management of sleep-disordered breathing in dental practice

Kang, Kimo; An, Jung-Su

doi:2026.64.9.331

J Korean Dent Assoc > Volume 64(9); 2026 > Article

Special Issue

Journal of Korean Dental Association 2026;64(9):331-338.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.22974/jkda.2026.64.9.005 Published online September 30, 2026.

치과 진료실에서의 수면호흡장애 관리

Management of sleep-disordered breathing in dental practice

Kimo Kang

, Jung-Su An

Department of Orthodontics and Dental Research Institute, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea

Correspondence: Jung-Su An, Tel: +82-2-6256-3230,
Email: maki1@snu.ac.kr

Abstract

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is a prevalent yet frequently underdiagnosed condition associated with substantial cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurocognitive morbidity in adults, as well as impaired growth and behavioral development in children. Because dentists regularly encounter patients of all ages and routinely examine the oral and maxillofacial structures that contribute to upper airway patency, they are well-positioned to participate in the early identification and multidisciplinary management of SDB. This narrative review summarizes the pathophysiology and risk factors of SDB and discusses screening tools applicable to the dental office, along with their diagnostic limitations. The review further outlines the multidisciplinary treatment of SDB and highlights the dentist's role in its management. Integrating dentists into the multidisciplinary care team is critical to improving both sleep and systemic health outcomes.

Key Words: sleep-disordered breathing, obstructive sleep apnea, dentistry, oral appliance, orthognathic surgery, multidisciplinary management