If you’re concerned about your child developing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), airway orthodontics provides a safe and effective way to reduce their risk. At Constant and Contro Orthodontics, the team of expert orthodontists uses airway orthodontics to help children and teens breathe clearly. To make an appointment for your child at the practice in Cupertino or Palo Alto, California, call the nearest office today or click the online booking feature.

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What is airway orthodontics?

Airway orthodontics uses custom oral appliances to expand your child’s jaw and airway, reducing the risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Researchers estimate that 1-10% of children have OSA, a disorder that causes them to stop breathing during sleep.

Without intervention and treatment, OSA increases the risk of more serious health issues later in life, including heart disease and diabetes. Investing in airway orthodontics now is an easy and effective way to keep your child healthy.

What are the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea?

Symptoms of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea include:

  • Snoring
  • Pauses in breathing
  • Snorting, coughing, or choking
  • Mouth breathing
  • Bedwetting

If your child has sleep apnea, they might also experience behavioral problems, weight gain, or have difficulty paying attention at school.

When should I see an orthodontist about pediatric OSA?

Make an appointment with the team at Constant and Contro Orthodontics if your child regularly wakes up feeling tired or experiences learning difficulties. That’s especially true if their symptoms last for more than a few days and prevent them from getting a restful night’s sleep.

What happens if obstructive sleep apnea goes untreated?

If OSA is left untreated, your child’s risk of more serious health conditions increases. Some of the most common complications caused by pediatric OSA include:

  • Failure to grow
  • Diabetes
  • Lung disease
  • High blood pressure
  • Diminished mental capacity

OSA has also been linked to mood swings, irritability, and depression.

What does airway orthodontics involve?

Before recommending airway orthodontics, your child’s Constant and Contro Orthodontics provider conducts an oral exam and takes a series of oral X-rays. They use these measures to assess your child’s teeth, jaw, tongue, and other oral tissues.

If your child’s orthodontist determines they’re at risk of OSA, they develop a custom treatment plan that redesigns the structure of the mouth, expanding their airway and enabling them to breathe clearly.

No two airway orthodontics treatment plans are exactly alike. Depending on your child’s needs, the team at Constant and Contro Orthodontics might recommend palatal expanders, braces, or other orthodontic devices.

When treatment is finished, your child will be able to breathe more clearly and get a better night’s sleep.

If you suspect your child might benefit from airway orthodontics, make an appointment at Constant and Contro Orthodontics by calling the nearest office today or clicking the online booking feature.