Oral Appliance Side-Effect Management: Clinical Experience and Literature Dental Assembly Webcast-Oral Appliance Side-Effect Management: Clinical Experience and Literature Dental Assembly

Oral Appliance Side-Effect Management: Clinical Experience and Literature Dental Assembly

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In the video, Gail Demko discusses the side effects of oral appliance therapy for obstructive sleep apnea. She mentions that dentists are now at the forefront of treating this condition and that oral appliances come with a number of side effects. The major reason for discontinuing therapy is that the appliances are bothersome to use, but patients should not use these side effects as a reason to stop treatment. The side effects can include excess salivation, changes in occlusal alignment, pain, and treatment ineffectiveness. Demko divides the side effects into temporary and permanent categories. Temporary side effects include excess salivation and early occlusal alterations, while permanent side effects include tooth movement. Tooth movement is the only permanent side effect and can occur due to forces exerted on the dentition when using an oral appliance. Demko explains that tooth movement can be prevented by properly adjusting the appliance and monitoring adherence to therapy. However, some tooth movement may still occur over time. Demko concludes by emphasizing the importance of maximizing the effectiveness of each oral appliance and minimizing side effects in order to ensure patient adherence to therapy.

Keywords

oral appliance therapy

obstructive sleep apnea

side effects

excess salivation

occlusal alignment

pain

treatment ineffectiveness

tooth movement

adjusting the appliance

patient adherence to therapy