Did use of headgear cause sleep apnea problem?

Robert: As a kid, I had to wear head gear to pull my lower jaw back to help correct a slight under bite. Could this adjustment of my mouth/jaw be a factor in my sleep apena.

Dr Shapira response: It is quite possible that the headgear made you more likely to have sleep apnea. What is probably more important was the opportunity to increase your airway during ortho tx.

Orthodontics can ce a complete of partial sleep apnea cure or a major complicating factor.

When orthodontic widening is done at a young age it widens the palate and the floor of the nose. It is recommended that pediatric patients with sleep apnea should have obstructive tonsils and adenoids removed. It is also recommended that a followup sleep study always be done to evaluate residual disease. The majority of patients may benefit from maxillary widening as well.

Some top researchers are recommending that orthodontic widening precede T & A removal to lessen surgical complications and risks.

Treatment of sleep apnea with an oral appliance advances the mandible at night but those changes can become permenant. CPAP tend to act like a Headgear causing backward movement of the maxilla and upper teeth.

All parents contemplating orthodontics for their children should work with growth and development orthodontists who understandf airway and sleep apnea. The outmoded practice of removing permenant bicuspid can produce an orthopedic position more prone to sleep apnea.