The enigma of sleep

Background

Sleep disturbances have been shown to result in considerable morbidity and mortality. It is important for dental clinicians to understand the neuroscience behind sleep disorders.

Types of Studies Reviewed

The authors conducted a search of the literature published from January 1990 through March 2024 of sleep medicine–related articles, with a focus on neuroscience. The authors prioritized articles about the science of sleep as related to dental medicine.

Results

The authors found a proliferation of articles related to sleep neuroscience along with its implications in dental medicine. The authors also found that the intricate neuroscientific principles of sleep medicine are being investigated robustly. The salient features of, and the differences between, central and obstructive sleep apneas have been elucidated. Sleep genes, such as CRY, PER1, PER2, and CLOCK, and their relationship to cancer and neurodegeneration are also additions to this rapidly developing science.

Conclusions and Practical Implications

The dental clinician has the potential to be the first to screen patients for possible sleep disorders and make prompt referrals to the appropriate medical professionals. This can be lifesaving as well as minimize potential future morbidity for the patient.