Since a bidirectional relationship has been suggested for poor sleep and pain and considering that patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have been reported to present a higher prevalence of temporo-mandibular disorder (TMD) signs and symptoms compared to healthy controls; aims of this research are to detect if an improvement in sleep pattern in patients suffering from OSA, produces a reduction in pain and dysfunction in the orofacial area by examining variation in TMD signs and symptoms and if the prevalence of TMDs in OSA patients controlling this disease decreases to levels comparable to healthy subjects.~41 OSA patients will undergo a complete TMD examination prior to start any OSA treatment and after at least 18 months of therapy. Variations in TMD signs and symptoms will be recorded.
Aims of this research are to detect if an improvement in sleep pattern in patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), produces a reduction in pain and dysfunction in the orofacial area by examining variation in temporo-mandibular disorder (TMD) signs and symptoms and if the prevalence of TMDs in OSA patients controlling this disease decreases to levels comparable to healthy subjects.~41 OSA patients will undergo a complete TMD examination prior to start any OSA treatment and after at least 18 months of therapy. Variations in TMD signs and symptoms will be recorded.