The role of orthodontics in obstructive sleep apnea and Hypopnea Syndrome in children

Abstract

Orthodontics often comes across mouth-breathing patients whose cause of upper airway obstruction consists of hypertrophy of the pharyngeal or adenoid tonsils and/or palatine tonsils. The effects of mouth breathing on craniofacial growth are characterized by maxillary atresia with the deep palate and the expression of preponderant growth in the vertical direction, and anterior open bite and mandibular retrusion may occur. After the referral and the evaluation/performance of the otorhinolaryngologist, the procedure of rapid expansion of the maxilla is indicated, in addition to the other procedures according to the orthopedic/orthodontic problem presented. Often, the performance of the speech therapist becomes necessary and important for the maintenance of the results obtained with the treatment performed by orthodontics. However, despite conducts already readily established in the daily life of orthodontic professionals, this chapter deals with a health condition that may be associated with the mouth-breathing child, which is Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Hypopnea Syndrome (OSAHS) and that many professionals are still unfamiliar with. Disease screening allows for a more efficient and complete approach to the patient's problem by all professionals involved.