Few
studies have evaluated the interaction between conventional complete
dentures (CCD) and the respiratory system and the authors are unaware of
any that evaluated the interaction between implant-retained
overdentures (IROs) and the respiratory system. This clinical report
documented the effects of wearing an IRO on the cardiorespiratory
stability of an edentulous patient with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). A
64-year-old woman was referred to the department of otolaryngology
because of daytime sleepiness and morning headaches. The patient refused
polysomnographic evaluation because of claustrophobia. Overnight pulse
oximetry (PO) was performed to detect cardiorespiratory stability during
sleep, and the oxygen desaturation index (ODI) of the patient was found
to be 20.9. A mandibular advancement device (MAD) was fabricated;
however, the patient did not comply with the treatment and stopped using
the MAD because of intraoral discomfort. Therefore, the patient started
to wear the conventional complete dentures (CCDs) nocturnally to
prevent upper airway collapses. Despite the significant drop in ODI
score to 12.6, because of displacement, the mandibular denture was
converted to an IRO. The PO tests performed after another 6 months
revealed an ODI score of 7.8. Wearing CCDs might improve respiratory
stability of patients with edentulism during sleep; however, more
favorable results could be obtained with IROs.
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