Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a prevalent and potentially serious condition characterized by recurrent upper airway collapse during sleep, resulting in intermittent hypoxia, sleep fragmentation, and significant systemic consequences. Increasing evidence highlights its association with cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, impaired cognitive function, and reduced quality of life. 

Effective management of OSA requires a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach integrating medical, dental, and behavioral strategies. Diagnosis is primarily established through polysomnography, supported by clinical evaluation of craniofacial morphology, airway dimensions, and functional factors. 

This lecture presents a structured treatment protocol tailored to disease severity and patient-specific characteristics. First-line therapy for moderate to severe OSA remains continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), which provides pneumatic splinting of the airway. However, patient compliance remains a major limitation. In mild to moderate cases, as well as in CPAP-intolerant patients, oral appliance therapy particularly mandibular advancement devices offers a predictable and effective alternative by enhancing airway patency and stabilizing mandibular position. 

Adjunctive and complementary approaches include myofunctional therapy aimed at improving oropharyngeal muscle tone, weight management, positional therapy, and, when indicated, surgical interventions targeting anatomical obstructions. Emerging orthodontic and dentofacial orthopedic strategies, especially in growing patients, focus on maxillary expansion and functional correction to address underlying structural deficiencies. 

Clinical outcomes demonstrate that individualized, protocol-driven care significantly improves respiratory parameters, reduces apnea hypopnea index (AHI), and enhances patient-reported outcomes. The role of dental professionals is increasingly critical in screening, early intervention, and long term management of OSA. 

This integrative protocol underscores the necessity of personalized treatment planning and interdisciplinary collaboration to achieve optimal functional and systemic health outcomes in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.