According to a study, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may be associated with low bone mineral density in adults, which may have implications for orthodontic treatment.
Researchers led by Dr. Tikriat Al-Jawair of the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine used cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) to measure bone density in the head and neck 38 adult participants, half of whom had OSA. After the researchers checked for variables such as age, sex, and weight, they found that people with OSA had significantly lower bone mineral density than people without the disease.
As a result, the diagnosis of OSA can affect treatment planning and management; Low bone mineral density can lead to loose teeth and rejection of dental implants, according to Al-Jawaira. And as CBCT is increasingly becoming an integral part of everyday orthodontic practice, imaging can be used as a screening tool for low bone mineral density.
“Orthodontists could educate their patients about their propensity for low bone mineral density and advise them to seek additional advice from their doctor, as well as warn the patient about possible adverse outcomes, increased risks and impact on treatment time” , Al Jawair said in a statement.
Tikriat Al-Jawair expressed her hope that the results of the study will be confirmed in studies involving larger samples.