What families should know
Craniofacial development, nasal breathing, and sleep-disordered breathing can be connected. But orthodontic treatment is not a universal treatment for airway disorders or sleep apnea.
If you notice frequent loud snoring, pauses in breathing, gasping, restless sleep, daytime sleepiness, difficulty concentrating, behavioral changes, morning headaches, or poor-quality sleep, speak with your child’s pediatrician or an appropriate medical specialist.
Where orthodontics fits
An orthodontist can recognize dental and skeletal findings that may be relevant to a child’s overall development. A child with a true upper-jaw width deficiency may be a candidate for expansion for orthodontic reasons.
Suspected obstructive sleep apnea needs medical diagnosis. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry advises referral to an appropriate medical provider and recommends orthodontic appliances only after a complete orthodontic and craniofacial assessment as part of a multidisciplinary approach.
A team approach
Depending on the child, care may involve a pediatrician, ENT specialist, pediatric dentist, orthodontist, or sleep specialist. The appropriate treatment depends on the underlying cause.
Our role is to help families recognize when an orthodontic evaluation may be useful and to work alongside medical providers when breathing or sleep concerns are present.
Frequently asked questions
Can an expander treat sleep apnea?
Expansion may be appropriate for selected orthodontic diagnoses, but it should not be presented as a universal treatment for sleep apnea. A suspected sleep disorder needs medical evaluation.
Should I mention snoring at my child’s consultation?
Yes. Share any concerns about sleep, breathing, or mouth breathing so we can consider them in the context of your child’s orthodontic development.
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