Purpose: To assess the association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and enamel cracks.

Methods: 219 patients were included. Separate operators assessed the sleep component of the study and the visual evaluation of the enamel cracks. Anthropometric data were also obtained.

Results: Patients with slightly marked (superficial) enamel cracks had a significantly lower apnea-hypoapnea index (AHI) than the patients with moderately-to-severely marked (deep) craze lines. The frequency of patients with moderately-to-severely marked craze lines increased with the severity of OSA. Spearman’s correlation indicated the presence of a statistically significant association between the severity of enamel crack and the severity of OSA. Multiple regression analysis indicated that age, sex, body mass index and OSA significantly affected the enamel cracks. Compared to patients with slightly marked craze lines, those with moderate-to-severe craze lines are higher aged males, with a higher body mass index and increased severity of OSA.

Clinical significance: The presence of moderate to severe enamel cracks may alert the clinician to the need to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea.

Copyright©American Journal of Dentistry.