Using a specialized oral device to perform myofunctional therapy during sleep may improve the breathing during sleep of children with obstructive sleep apnea.

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Background/purpose The prematurely born and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) could affect craniofacial and airway growth. The purpose of this study is to compare the differences in craniofacial and airway morphology between preterm and full-term children both with OSA problem. Materials and methods The differences in craniofacial and airway morphology between preterm children and full-term children both with OSA problem during the prepubertal (age 6–10) and pubertal (age 11–14) period were measured using lateral cephalometric radiograph. Results In the prepubertal period, effective maxillary length, and length from Go to Gn were smaller in the preterm group (n = 6) compared to the full-term (n = 8). The length of the soft palate was smaller and the distance soft palate-posterior side of nasopharynx was longer in preterm children. During puberty, (1) position of maxilla relative to cranial base: there was an anteroposterior maxilla and a mandibular discrepancy, a convexity of facial profile, (2) the distance from point A to nasion perpendicular, the distance from Pog to nasion perpendicular, and the ratio of effective maxillary length/effective mandibular length were smaller in the preterm group (n = 5) compare to the full-term (n = 6). Conclusion During prepuberty, the preterm children had a significantly shorter effective maxillary and mandibular length but the catch up growth resulted during the pubertal period in reduction in facial profile convexity and more important mandibular vertical growth toward a dolichocephalic profile. Due to preterm birth, OSA children have a different craniofacial morphology compared to the full-term. When using an oral device for passive myofunctional therapy, the treatment outcome maybe different.

We conducted this retrospective study to identify potential clinical, polysomnographic, and cephalometric predictors for the treatment outcomes of a tongue-beaded oral appliance (OA) in children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). In total, 63 patients—50 boys and 13 girls ranging in age from 4 to 16 years—underwent OA treatment nightly for at least 6 months. A baseline digital lateral cephalometric radiograph was obtained for each patient. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to examine predictors for the treatment outcome based on the clinical and cephalometric measurements. Overall, 28 patients responded to the treatment (post-treatment improvement >50% or apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) < 1/h), and 35 did not (post-treatment improvement <50% and AHI ≥ 1/h). Significantly larger cranial base angle (SNBa), smaller lower gonial angle (LGo Angle), and shorter length of anterior cranial base (SN) were found in responders. Smaller lower gonial angle (LGo Angle) and smaller anterior cranial base (SN) predict a favorable outcome for pediatric OSAS using a tongue-beaded OA. This finding will equip practitioners with additional insights when selecting suitable candidates for OA therapy in pediatric patients.