Clear Aligners and Sleep Disorders

Categories: Sleep Medicine

Author(s): Payam Ataii, DMD, MBA, Sal Rodas, MBA

Course Type: Self-instruction journal and web based activity

Target Audience: Dental Assistants, Dental Hygienist, Dentists from novice to advanced

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Educational Objectives

Clear Aligners and Sleep Disorders

The goal of this continuing education (CE) activity is to provide readers with an understanding of how to incorporate clear aligner therapy into their practice, in order to address the needs of patients diagnosed with sleep-related breathing disorders who require orthodontic intervention. Upon completion of this activity, the reader should be able to:
1. Review appropriate screening protocols.
2. Identify the correlation between malocclusions and airway deficiencies.
3. Understand how to provide patients with comprehensive treatment options to address sleep-related breathing disorders.
4. Discuss the appropriate use of clear aligners for combination cases utilizing the Aligner Sleep Appliance.
5. Recognize the benefits of incorporating 3D technology into the development of comprehensive treatment plans.

Abstract

Treatment methods are now available that address the needs of the large number of patients who require orthodontic clear aligner therapy and have been diagnosed with sleep-related breathing disorders. When indicated, an effective treatment for these conditions can be accomplished by correcting malocclusions with the use of clear aligners throughout both active and retention phase treatment, as well as by addressing the individual’s breathing disorders with a dental sleep appliance that fits over the clear aligners. With the use of this process, the patient avoids having to complete orthodontic treatment prior to treating his or her sleep disorder, which can be a potentially life-threatening condition.