Effects of edentulism in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of edentulism in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) patients.

The study patients' were selected from the Gaziantep University Sleep Clinic and Orthodontic Department archives between the years of 2009 and 2011. Study groups were determined according to age and edentulism, and the overall study population consisted of 42 (21 male, 21 female) OSAS patients. Data from 14 edentulous (Group I), 14 older dentate (Group II), and 14 middle-aged dentate OSAS patients (Group III) were compared in this study. Polysomnographic parameters, which were measured and analyzed included: Sleep time, sleep efficiency, sleep stage 1, sleep stage 2, sleep stage 3, percentage of rapid eye movement sleep, apnea-hypopnea index, oxygen saturation and arousal index. The Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U statistical tests were used for comparing the differences between the three groups and subgroups.

Sleep time parameters showed significant differences between the groups (P<0.05). Differences occurred between Group I and Group III in the sleep time parameter (P<0.05), while the edentulous subjects showed lower mean sleep time values when compared to the older and middle-aged dentate groups.

According to our results, edentulism may not impact polysomnography parameters, with the exception of the sleep time parameter. Important attention should be given to edentulous individuals during sleep with their dentures to prevent OSAS complications. The use of dentures may prevent or protect patients from the predisposing factors of OSAS.