Pediatric OSA

Orthodontics and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in Children

OSA is a serious medical condition that affects children and can have major health consequences.

Symptoms include:

• loud snoring with gasping
• choking or snorts
• long pauses in breathing while sleeping
• bedwetting
• nightmares
• excessive sweating at night
• daytime sleepiness
• irritability
• hyperactivity
• difficulty concentrating

Specific anatomic features, such as an underdeveloped lower jaw or narrow upper jaw, as well as other orthodontic problems are correlated with OSA in children.

If you suspect that your child has OSA, the next step should be an evaluation with a sleep specialist or an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist, as well as the doctors in our practice, who are accustomed to working with sleep specialists to address this condition.

Our doctors are members of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, and have been working with sleep specialists and ENTs for years to successfully assist in the treatment of OSA in children.