PEDIATRIC OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA: THE ORTHODONTIC PERSPECTIVE

摘要

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a relatively common condition in children that causes significant negative health effects during a critical period of physical and neurocognitive development. Nasal obstruction and the corresponding sleep-disordered breathing traditionally has thought to be a significant cause of altered dentofacial growth and development; however, evidence of a strong association for the majority of patients does not hold up under contemporary scrutiny. The orthodontic correction of underlying skeletal discrepancies-specifically maxillary constriction and retrognathia-show promise as alternative treatments for OSA in select patients. Future research will delineate in which children these forms of orthodontic procedures will be most effective, serving as a first-line or adjunctive therapy for obstructive sleep disorders. At present, management of a multi-factorial disease (e.g., OSA) will be managed best by a multi-disciplinary approach including the specialty of orthodontics.