Sleep-Disordered Breathing: From Airway Assessment to Functional Appliance Design
Sleep-Disordered Breathing: From Airway Assessment to Functional Appliance Design
Course overview
Sleep-disordered breathing in children requires more than simply identifying an airway obstruction. Effective management depends on understanding the underlying causes, recognizing the difference between a narrow and a collapsible airway, and integrating dental, orthodontic, and sleep medicine approaches into treatment planning.
This course presents a practical clinical framework for evaluating sleep-disordered breathing and selecting appropriate treatment strategies. It covers the role of CPAP and mandibular advancement splints, pediatric applications, functional bite registration, and the principles of appliance design.
During the course, you will learn about:
Assessment of the underlying causes and anatomical factors contributing to sleep-disordered breathing
Narrow vs. collapsible airway and their clinical implications
CPAP and mandibular advancement splints (MAS): indications and clinical considerations, including pediatric applications
Step-by-step bite registration and analysis of functional appliance design
Protocols for airway-driven orthodontics
Protocols for diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children
Protocols for diagnosing sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in children
Dr. Mahony's treatment protocols for obstructive sleep apnea and sleep-disordered breathing in children.
Dive into airway- and myofunctional-driven pediatric orthodontics with Dr. Derek Mahony and explore clinical concepts that go beyond the traditional dental school curriculum.
Course lessons
Lesson 1. Sleep-Disordered Breathing in Children: An Orthodontic and Airway Approach
How is SB related to OSA?
Respiratory-related recruitment of the masseter
Dentistry and otolaryngology in sleep medicine
Pediatric sleep medicine in the dental office
Common causes of anatomical airway obstruction
Anatomical and non-anatomical factors in pediatric obstructive sleep apnea
Clinical signs and symptoms of pediatric sleep-disordered breathing
Airway assessment and interpretation of relevant diagnostic findings
Craniofacial growth patterns associated with airway obstruction
The relationship between maxillary constriction, mandibular position, and airway function
Multidisciplinary roadmap for craniofacial growth modification in children with sleep-disordered breathing
Orthodontic and orthopedic approaches to airway development in growing patients
Indications and limitations of maxillary expansion in pediatric patients with sleep-disordered breathing
Functional appliances and mandibular advancement in growing patients
When to refer a pediatric patient to an ENT specialist or sleep physician
Collaboration between orthodontists, pediatric dentists, ENT specialists, and sleep physicians
Clinical case analysis: from screening and diagnosis to multidisciplinary treatment planning.
Lesson 2. Airway First. Comprehensive Approach to Pediatric Orthodontics
Literature review on craniofacial growth modification
Craniofacial growth modification and sleep disordered breathing in children
Multidisciplinary approach to craniofacial growth modification
Palatal expansion protocols for management of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA)
Orthodontic treatment for management of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA)
Clinical application of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) in children.
Lesson 3. Myofunctional Orthodontics. Management of Pediatric Sleep-Disordered Breathing
Epidemiology and treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA)
Bimax advancement for OSA management
Craniofacial growth modification of the nasomaxillary complex and the mandible
Treatment protocols of Dr. Derek Mahony
Application of Advanced Lightwire Functional (ALF) appliance for arch development
Application of myobrace for arch development
Analysis of clinical cases
Q&A session.
Lesson 4. Airway-Driven Pediatric Orthodontics. Diagnosis and Treatment Planning Protocols
Diagnosis. The 6 red flags exam finding for pediatric sleep-disordered breathing (SDB)
Daytime and night time symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB)
Orthodontic interventions for managing pediatric sleep-disordered breathing
Tongue-tie and its relation to sleep-disordered breathing (SDB)
The tongue range of motion ratio (TRMR)
Analysis of clinical cases.
Lesson 5. Management of Sleep-Disordered Breathing. Myofunctional and Airway-Driven Approaches
The spectrum of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB)
Protocols and analysis of polysomnography (PSG)
Maxillary deficiency: narrow vs. wide maxillary
Orofacial myology and tongue position
Oropharyngeal exercises for the management of obstructive sleep apnea(OSA) in children
Treatment of pediatric obstructive sleep apnoea with oral appliances.
Lesson 6. Functional Management of Sleep-Disordered Breathing: Bite Registration and Appliance Design
Finding the root cause of sleep-disordered breathing
Narrow airway vs. collapsed airway
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) and mandibular advancement splints (MAS): indications and advantages
Application of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) in children
The 2D bite using the George Gauge
The 4D bite: phonetic bite
Step-by-step demonstration of bite registration
Analysis of appliance design.
