November 2018
Periodontal disease (PD) is associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) by a postulated bidirectional causal-effect relationship of PD and OSA through systemic infl ammation.
Why this matters
Periodontal disease (PD) is associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) by a postulated bidirectional causal-effect relationship of PD and OSA through systemic infl ammation. This work contributes to evidence-based plastic and reconstructive surgery — helping clinicians interpret outcomes, refine technique, and counsel patients with clearer data.
Author
Plastic and reconstructive surgery resident at Emory University (UCLA BS, USC MD) with an h-index of 21 and peer-reviewed work spanning aesthetic surgery, reconstruction, medical devices, and AI in medicine.
Abstract
Periodontal disease (PD) is associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) by a postulated bidirectional causal-effect relationship of PD and OSA through systemic infl ammation. PD may contribute to OSA through aspiration of periodontal bacterial pathogens into the lungs, causing a decrease in lung function that consequently contributes to OSA. Xerostomia also plays a role in increasing the surface tension of the upper airway lining liquid and resultantly contributes to OSA.