What are Airway Issues(Sleep Disordered Breathing)?

Does your child have a problem with chronic mouth breathing, snoring or teeth grinding? Maybe you've noticed dark circles under their eyes even after they've gone to bed on time. These issues could point to blocked airways or problems with breathing due to airway constriction. 

This can have a significant negative impact on their oral and overall health, from obstructive sleep apnea and daytime sleepiness to distractibility and behavioral issues. Long-term, individuals can suffer from memory problems, obesity, headaches and even a decreased lifespan. 

If caught in childhood, airway issues can be addressed with early orthodontic treatment such as palatal expansion, potentially improving outcomes for oral and general physical health over your child's lifetime.

Symptoms of Airway Issues

If your child is suffering from airway constriction and breathing-related issues, you may see many symptoms such as:

• Snoring
• Irritability 
• Bedwetting 
• Choking or drooling 
• Obesity
• Headaches
• Chronic mouth breathing
• Slow growth
• Learning and behavioral disorders
• Teeth clenching or grinding 
• Restlessness in bed
• Distractibility during the day
• Sleepiness or sluggishness 
• Excessive sweating at night

Take our Child Sleep Questionnaire to see if your child may have Sleep Disordered Breathing

CHILD SLEEP QUESTIONNAIRE

We have multiple ways to treat children suffering from sleep-related disorders:

Myofunctional Therapy

Myofunctional therapy (MT) is a treatment that focuses on the muscles of the mouth and throat to improve breathing and airway function. The therapy includes:

• Exercises: Specific exercises to strengthen the tongue, lips, and throat muscles.
• Posture Training: Teaching correct tongue posture (tongue resting against the palate) and proper swallowing patterns.
• Breathing Exercises: Techniques to promote nasal breathing.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MYOFUNCTIONAL THERAPY

Evaluation of Tethered Tissues

Tethered oral tissues (TOTs) refer to restrictive oral tissues, such as tongue ties or lip ties, that can affect oral function and breathing. Evaluation typically involves:

• Physical Examination: A dentist or specialist examines the oral cavity for signs of restricted tissues.
• Functional Assessment: Assessing the impact on speech, swallowing, and breathing.
• Symptoms Review: Evaluating symptoms related to SDB, feeding difficulties, and speech issues.

Myo Munchee

• A chewing device that is designed to help breathing, sleeping, and overall health in younger patients.

Orthopedic appliances

• We offer two types: non-removable appliances, and removable appliances; each worn for several months to improve the airway for a lifetime.

Recommendation for removal of the tonsils and/or adenoids

Slow Palatal Expansion to treat Sleep Disordered Breathing

Benefits of Slow Palatal Expansion in Airway Treatment

1. Increased Airway Volume:

Expanding the upper jaw can increase the volume of the nasal cavity and the oral airway, reducing the risk of airway obstruction during sleep.

2. Improved Nasal Breathing:

A wider palate can lead to better nasal airflow, encouraging nasal breathing over mouth breathing, which is beneficial for overall respiratory health.

3. Reduced Snoring and Sleep Apnea:

By enlarging the airway, SPE can alleviate symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and reduce snoring, leading to better sleep quality.

4. Enhanced Oral Function:

Proper alignment of the teeth and jaw can improve chewing, swallowing, and speech, which can be affected by a narrow palate.

5. Prevention of Dental Crowding:

Expanding the palate provides more space for the permanent teeth to emerge properly, reducing the need for future orthodontic interventions.

6. Better Facial Aesthetics:

SPE can lead to improved facial symmetry and aesthetics by harmonizing the proportions of the jaw and midface.

7. Long-Term Health Benefits:

By addressing the root cause of SDB early, SPE can contribute to better long-term health outcomes, including reduced risk of cardiovascular problems, improved cognitive function, and enhanced growth and development.

Ideal Candidates for Slow Palatal Expansion

Children and Adolescents: SPE is most effective in younger patients whose mid-palatal sutures have not yet fused.

Patients with Narrow Palates: Those exhibiting signs of a narrow upper jaw, such as dental crowding or a high-arched palate.

Children with SDB: Especially those with symptoms like snoring, mouth breathing, and sleep apnea.

How Palatal Expanders Work

Since palatal bones continue to grow until a child reaches puberty, the ideal time to find out whether they have a narrow palate is in early childhood.

Palatal expanders are designed to gradually widen the upper jaw, creating more space in your child's mouth as jaw development takes place and adult teeth emerge. 

These custom-made orthodontic metal appliances expand the shape of the bones that form the palate. They are typically fixed to the back teeth on either side of the upper arch and removed on completion of Phase 1 treatment. For younger patients undergoing Phase 1 treatment, palatal expanders can be constructed to be removable. 

You can easily turn the expander with a simple key, which gently expands the palate by a ¼ mm with each turn to develop true palatal width to accommodate growth.

What will my child experience during the RPE treatment?

Your child will likely experience mild discomfort during the beginning of the treatment period, probably more so due to the actual presence of the appliance inside the mouth than expansion, but this is normal and children usually get adjusted fast.

It’s important to remember that the uncomfortable experiences are only temporary and will lessen as your child’s body adapts to the appliance and process. Some of the issues your child may experience could include:

• Soreness
• A feeling of pressure
• Speaking and eating feeling a bit awkward at first
• A gap between the front teeth

Proper Care and Maintenance for Palatal Expanders

Taking care of your palatal expander is crucial to ensure its effectiveness and longevity.  Start by gently brushing the expander along with your teeth twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush to remove any food particles or plaque buildup. Rinsing with water after meals can also help keep it clean.  Avoid sticky or hard foods that could damage the expander, as well as sugary treats that may lead to cavities. Be mindful when eating, and try to chew on the opposite side of the mouth to prevent putting excess pressure on the expander.  Regularly check the expander for any loose bands or screws

Slow palatal expansion is a valuable orthodontic procedure that offers numerous benefits for children with sleep-disordered breathing. By gradually widening the upper jaw, it can enhance airway function, improve nasal breathing, and prevent long-term complications associated with a narrow palate. When combined with other treatments and therapies, SPE can significantly improve a child's quality of life and overall health.