The face of Dental Sleep Medicine in the 21st century

Abstract

It becomes increasingly clear that some sleep disorders have important diagnostic and/or management links to the dental domain, hence the emergence of the discipline 'Dental Sleep Medicine'. In this review, the following topics are discussed: 1. the reciprocal associations between oro-facial pain and sleep; 2. the associations between sleep bruxism and other sleep-related disorders; 3. the role of the dentist in the assessment and management of sleep bruxism; and 4. the dental management of obstructive sleep apnoea. From these topics' descriptions, it becomes clear that the role of the dentist in the recognition and management of sleep-related oro-facial pain, sleep bruxism and obstructive sleep apnoea is large and important. Since many dental sleep disorders can have severe consequences for the individual's general health and well-being, it is imperative that dentists are not only willing to take on that role, but are also able to do so. This requires more attention for Dental Sleep Medicine in the dental curricula worldwide, as well as better postgraduate training of dentists who are interested in specialising in this intriguing domain. This review contributes to increasing the dental researcher's, teacher's and care professional's insight into the discipline 'Dental Sleep Medicine' as it has taken shape in the 21st century, to the benefit of all patients suffering from dental sleep disorders.

Keywords: dental sleep medicine; obstructive sleep apnoea; oro-facial pain; sleep; sleep bruxism.