Orthodontics, Sleep Apnea, and Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS)

At Phillips Family Orthodontics, we’re dedicated to supporting the health and well-being of our patients, including those struggling with sleep disorders like sleep apnea and Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS). These conditions affect sleep quality and overall health in children and adults. Here we will explore the definitions, causes, and Sleep Apnea and UARS treatments.

Introduction to Sleep Apnea and UARS

Sleep Apnea in Children (Pediatric Sleep Apnea)
One out of ten children live with obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea in children, or pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), occurs when the airway becomes partially or fully blocked during sleep, causing the child to experience a lack of oxygen. This blockage causes disrupted sleep, snoring, behavior issues, bed wetting, and daytime fatigue. Sleep apnea leads to enlarged tonsils or adenoids, which can obstruct the airway in kids.

Sleep Apnea in Adults
One in Five adults live with obstructive sleep apnea, with the condition being more common in men. Sleep apnea in adults comes from a collapse of the airway during sleep, which leads to periods of interrupted breathing. Common symptoms include loud snoring, choking, gasping for air, and daytime drowsiness. Individuals with anatomical factors like narrow airways or excess weight are at higher risk for OSA.

Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS)
UARS is a sleep disorder similar to sleep apnea, but the airway obstruction is less severe. Individuals with UARS experience increased resistance to airflow, especially in the nasal airway, resulting in frequent awakenings and poor-quality sleep. UARS can still lead to daytime fatigue and cognitive impairment, even if it doesn’t involve full-breath stoppages.

Introduction to Sleep Apnea and UARS

Causes and Risk Factors of Sleep Apnea and UARS

Anatomical Causes
Anatomy plays a significant role in both sleep apnea and UARS. Conditions like narrow jaws, inflammation of the lymphatic tissue, enlarged nasal turbinates, and high palates can contribute to restricted airflow during sleep. These structural factors make it difficult for the airway to remain open, leading to breathing problems.

The Importance of Nasal Breathing for Sleep
Nasal breathing is crucial for healthy sleep and development, especially in children. Proper nasal breathing allows the facial structures and jaw to develop correctly, promoting optimal airway size and reducing the risk of sleep disorders. Mouth breathing, on the other hand, can lead to developmental issues, including sleep apnea.

Behavioral Risk Factors
In both children and adults, lifestyle factors such as obesity, poor sleeping conditions and positions, and environmental influences can increase the risk of developing sleep apnea or UARS. Maintaining a healthy weight and practicing good sleep hygiene can prevent these conditions.

Risk Factors of Sleep Apnea and UARS

Traditional and New Options: Sleep Apnea & UARS TREATMENT

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) and Adenotonsillectomy
For adults, the gold standard in treating sleep apnea is CPAP therapy, which involves wearing a mask connected to a machine that delivers constant air pressure to keep the airway open. While effective, many patients find CPAP uncomfortable and difficult to tolerate.

For children, the first line of treatment for sleep apnea is often adenotonsillectomy—surgical removal of the tonsils and adenoids. This procedure can effectively clear the airway, although surgery may not always be the best option for every patient.

Orthodontic Treatments
The emerging evidence for orthodontic solutions like palatal expansion, mandibular advancement devices, and growth modification for children can help improve airway size and function. These treatments aim to address the underlying skeletal problem causing decreased airway function. For children, depending on the stage of growth, treatment can be less invasive with new techniques. It is always best to start as early as possible.

Surgical Treatments
In severe cases for adults, jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery) may be necessary to correct anatomical issues that contribute to sleep apnea. Several jaw surgeries benefit the airway, with Maxilomandibular Advancement or MMA surgery being the most common. This procedure repositions both jaws forward to improve airflow and support better breathing during sleep.

Sleep Apnea and UARS Treatment

The Role of Orthodontics in Treating Sleep Apnea and UARS

Orthodontic Treatments for Sleep Apnea
Orthodontics addresses sleep apnea by correcting structural issues that lead to airway obstruction. Treatment is specific to each patient, and Dr. Phillips will give you a detailed treatment plan during your consultation. There is a spectrum of orthodontic treatments like palatal expanders, MARPE, braces, and clear aligners to relieve airway resistance by reshaping the dental arches and promoting proper jaw alignment.

Airway-Aware Orthodontics
At Phillips Family Orthodontics, we practice airway-aware orthodontics, focusing on how orthodontic treatments can support proper breathing and airway function. This approach means that all our treatments prevent the airway from decreasing, even for patients without airway symptoms, using standard orthodontic techniques and best practices.

The Role of Orthodontics in Sleep Apnea and UARS

Health Risks of Untreated Sleep Apnea and UARS

Short-term Effects
If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to significant short-term effects, including:

Daytime fatigue
Morning headaches
Cognitive impairment and memory problems
Irritability and mood swings

Long-term Effects
The long-term risks of untreated sleep apnea include:

Increased risk of cardiovascular disease
High blood pressure
Stroke
Metabolic issues, including weight gain and diabetes
Depression and anxiety

Health Risks of Sleep Apnea and UARS

Short-term Effects
If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to significant short-term effects, including:

Daytime fatigue
Morning headaches
Cognitive impairment and memory problems
Irritability and mood swings

Long-term Effects
The long-term risks of untreated sleep apnea include:

Increased risk of cardiovascular disease
High blood pressure
Stroke
Metabolic issues, including weight gain and diabetes
Depression and anxiety

Diagnosing Sleep Apnea and UARS

A sleep physician can diagnose OSA through a sleep study (polysomnography), where they monitor breathing patterns, oxygen levels, and brain activity during sleep. Your doctor can perform this study at the clinic or home for convenience.

If you or your child experience loud snoring, frequent awakenings, or daytime fatigue, it may be time to see a doctor or orthodontist for screening and education. Early diagnosis and intervention can prevent complications and improve overall quality of life.

Diagnosing Sleep Apnea and UARS

Why Choose Orthodontic Solutions for Sleep Apnea and UARS?

Orthodontics vs. CPAP
While CPAP remains the gold standard for treating sleep apnea, many patients find it uncomfortable. Orthodontic treatments offer a more permanent solution by addressing the root causes of airway obstruction and improving long-term breathing.

Risks of Surgery for Young Patients
Surgical options, like adenotonsillectomy, may not always be ideal for young patients due to the risks involved. Orthodontic growth modification can offer a less invasive approach to correcting airway issues and promoting proper development.

Permanent Orthodontic Solutions
Orthodontic treatments provide lasting results by correcting the underlying structural problems that lead to sleep disorders. With early intervention, orthodontic solutions can reduce or eliminate the need for surgery or long-term CPAP use.

Why Choose Orthodontic Solutions?

Phillips Family Orthodontics: Your Partner in Treating Sleep Apnea and UARS

Dr. Joseph Phillips is highly trained in airway-aware orthodontics, having studied under world leaders of sleep medicine, Dr. Audrey Yoon and Dr. Stanley Liu, at the Stanford Sleep Center. This specialized training allows him to create customized treatment plans that improve your smile and support your overall health by promoting better sleep and airway function.

Our team at Phillips Family Orthodontics is committed to providing compassionate, expert care to address sleep apnea and UARS. We can help you or your child breathe easier and enjoy restful, restorative sleep by focusing on airway health.