Pediatric OSA

    For Patients

    Orthodontics / Orthopedics For Treatment of Pediatric Sleep Apnea

    When treating crooked teeth and bad bites, our team focuses on prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment of the root problem. Crooked teeth are usually the symptom of a more significant problem causing dysfunctional breathing and/or irregular tongue posture. Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is commonly present in children but most often left undiagnosed. In its pediatric guidelines, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that every child receives an OSA screening.

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    OSA is a medical condition that can only be diagnosed by a medical professional and once diagnosed can be treated by a dentist with specialized training and experience working with this disorder. When treating OSA, it is a team effort that includes a sleep physician, ENT, and other experienced professionals. The therapies employed to treat OSA in adults are not appropriate for children and can even cause further damage. For example, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) and Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) are known to cause the interruption of skeletal development in children. The good news is that a proper comprehensive diagnosis and coordinated effort between medical and dental providers can lead to a full recovery from Pediatric OSA.
    Symptoms of Childhood OSA:
    • Snoring
    • Mouth breathing
    • Restlessness during sleep
    • Sleeping in odd positions
    • Periods of not breathing
    • Night terrors
    • Mood changes
    • Poor concentration
    • Bed Wetting
    • Headaches
    • Frequent infections

    ORTHODONTICS FOR AIRWAY DEVELOPMENT

    When treating Pediatric OSA, the main goal is to increase the airway volume. This goal is reached by first evaluating the airway and then addressing any obstructions with treatment. Obstructions can be present anywhere in the airway and are not isolated to the mouth and nose. Airway development can be achieved by expanding the upper and lower jaws, changing the relationship between the lower and upper jaws, prescribing myofunctional tongue and lip exercises, and designing lifestyle changes.

    Learn more about what our patients have to say

    about the TMJ & Sleep Therapy Centre of San Fernando Valley

    Stephanie

    5.0 ★★★★★

    I first heard about this place when my jaw developed severe pain.l, and it would lock up and I could barely eat!!! In the short time of 12 weeks the pain was entirely gone... and my jaw stops locking up I’m so thankful so Dr. Ariz and this treatment everyone is so nice and friendly highly recommend!

    Johnathan

    5.0 ★★★★★

    Dr. Ariz is a great doctor who knows what hes doing. I came in with a bunch of pain with tmj and now im way better.

    Maranda

    5.0 ★★★★★

    The whole staff is great. They have been so helpful and thorough as far as fixing my TMJ disorder. You really get a lot of care so it's definitely worth the money to not be in constant pain. I've only been going a few weeks and can already feel a huge difference.

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