SLEEP APNEA IN CHILDREN IS FREQUENTLY TREATED WITH REMOVAL OF TONSILS AND/ OR ADENOIDS. ORTHOPEDIC APPLIANCES AND SLEEP APPLIANCES ALSO HAVE A ROLE.

Dawn: My 5yo daughter had T&A sx at 22mos which seemed to help her osa up until about 8months ago. She is now going to start using a cpap for severe osa. I now know she will need orthodontic and/or maxillofacial close monitoring. I am wondering if any of thes oral applianced are used with children this young also, and if there is anyone in the northern ******** area who is best trained for this.

Dr Shapira: Dear Dawn,

There is an excellent Sleep Apnea Dentist in your area Dr *********** I just talked to him and he would be happy to work with you and your daughter. If there are any questions during treatment we can discuss it as treatment pprogresses.

There would actully be two appliances involved a nightime appliance and a daytime appliance. This will allow the widening of the maxilla while using an appliance to prevent apnea...Dr ******* has a great deal of experience in treating sleep apnea.

This will not only treat the sleep apnea but begin treating the underlying orthopedic problem. You child will still need orthodontics (probably) in the future but the early orthopedic therapy will make future orthodontics easier.

MORE ON THIS TOPIC: SLEEP APNEA IN CHILDREN IS FREQUENTLY TREATED WITH REMOVAL OF TONSILS AND/ OR ADENOIDS. ORTHOPEDIC APPLIANCES AND SLEEP APPLIANCES ALSO HAVE A ROLE IN TREATING CHILDHOOD SLEEP APNEA TREATMENT.

There is a question whether tonsilectomy and adenoidectomy should occur before of after widening of the maxilla. Widening the maxilla will improve the airway and possibly lower post-op complications. If T&A is done prior to widening studies have shown that it does not correct the development orthopedic problems. All patients should be reevaluated for sleep apnea and for maxillary expansion.