Can Orthodontics Alleviate Sleep Apnea?
Posted on 10/07/2024
Blog article courtesy of the American Association of Orthodontists
Can orthodontic treatment help with sleep apnea?
In short, yes. Although orthodontists cannot diagnose and treat obstructive sleep apnea on their own, they may be the first medical professionals to recognize symptoms in adults and children.
Your orthodontist, Dr. Eves, is well-positioned to perform an obstructive sleep apnea screening and to refer at-risk patients for diagnostic evaluation. If your physician deems it appropriate, your orthodontist may work closely with your medical team to help manage the disease.
Obstructive sleep apnea causes and symptoms.
Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form of sleep apnea, occurring when the airway becomes blocked due to relaxation of the throat muscles or other airway obstructions.
Adults with obstructive sleep apnea often snore, gasp, or choke and have witnessed pauses in breathing during sleep. They may also experience frequent night awakenings, non-restorative sleep, morning headaches, excessive daytime sleepiness, difficulty with attention and concentration, mood disturbance, and difficulty controlling other medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity.
Children with obstructive sleep apnea may snore, experience breathing pauses, and choke or gasp during sleep. Parents may find the child sleeps in unusual positions, such as the head hanging off the side of the bed, and appears very restless, with frequent position changes during sleep. Other symptoms in children include sleepiness, which can affect daily activities and schoolwork in older children. Those who previously had discontinued daytime napping may resume daily or near-daily naps. In some children, hyperactivity rather than excessive sleepiness may present. While obesity may be a contributor in some children, others may present with failure to thrive.
Obstructive sleep apnea treatment
Positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy is generally accepted as the gold standard for treating obstructive sleep apnea in adults. PAP therapy is delivered through a mask.
When a physician believes a patient would benefit from changing the position of the teeth and supporting structures, an AAO orthodontist is the most qualified professional to provide that treatment. In other cases, an orthodontist may use special devices for patients to wear during the night that keep the jaw in a favorable position.
For other patients, surgery, including nasal and/or palatal surgery with or without mandibular (lower jaw) surgery, genioglossus (chin tongue) advancement, and hyoid suspension (modification of the bone and muscles supporting the floor of the mouth), may be considered. Other soft-tissue surgeries might be suggested that involve the tonsils, adenoids, frena (tissue attached to the bone), and the tongue. Nerve stimulation can address impaired muscular tone in obstructive sleep apnea and may be considered in some patients.
The takeaway
Obstructive sleep apnea is a medical disorder that can have many serious consequences if left untreated. It can affect adults and children and can present at any point in the lifespan. Your AAO orthodontist can help determine if you would benefit from seeing your physician.
Read the full AAO whitepaper on orthodontics and obstructive sleep apnea.