Orthodontics/Orthopedics for Treatment of OSA

Adult therapies for the management of OSA are not suitable for children. Therapies such as CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) and (OAT) Oral Appliance Therapy have been known to arrest skeletal development of the growing child. The good news is, with proper diagnosis and communication between medical and dental providers, treatment of OSA shows better results when treated early in life!

Orthodontics for Airway Development

At TMJ & Sleep Therapy Centre, an increase in airway volume is always our goal in the treatment of Pediatric OSA. The airway is evaluated and any obstructions are addressed. Obstructions can occur anywhere in the airway and are not limited to the mouth and nose. Common procedures in airway development involve upper and lower jaw expansion and relationship changes, myofunctional tongue and lip exercises and lifestyle changes. Orthopedic airway development has a very high success rate in pediatric patients.

Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent but under-diagnosed disease. The importance of screening for OSA in every child has been recently been re-emphasized by the American Academy of Pediatrics Guidelines. http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2012/08/22/peds.2012-1671