Odontoiatria e disturbi del sonno

Objectives. The aim of this study is to describe the aetiopathogenesis, clinical findings and peculiarities of dental and oral diseases associable with sleep disorders and, conversely, to investigate the conditions of sleep impairment which may affect the development of oral diseases. Materials and methods. The authors reviewed the most updated publications from the international scientific literature concerning the correlation between dentistry and sleep, with a view to summarizing the most useful information for the clinical practice. Results and conclusions. Nocturnal bruxism is one of the most frequent sleep disturbances with repercussions on the health of dental tissues. This may result in an obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, which, at slight to mild intensity, can be managed by using mandibular advancement devices. Moreover, recent studies have related oro-facial pain to sleep disorders, although limited and low quality data are available. The dentist plays a primary role in identifying these conditions and in referring the patient to specialists. Last but not least, the clinician should be aware of potential adverse effects on the oral cavity of the most commonly prescribed drugs for insomnia.