title: Mandibular advancement devices are an alternative and valid treatment for pediatric obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Orthodontic and craniofacial abnormalities have often been reported in pediatric sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). While the reversibility of these craniofacial abnormalities by means of adenotonsillectomy has yet to be established, orthodontic treatment based on oral appliances is considered to be a potential additional treatment for pediatric SDB.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Oral appliances may help improve upper airway patency during sleep by enlarging the upper airway and/or by decreasing upper airway collapsibility, thereby enhancing upper airway muscle tone. Orthodontic therapy should be encouraged in pediatric OSAS, and an early approach may permanently modify nasal breathing and respiration, thereby preventing obstruction of the upper airway.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Sleep Disease Centre, University of Rome La Sapienza-Sant'Andrea Hospital, Via Grottarossa 1035/1039, Rome, 00189, Italy. mariapia.villa@uniroma1.it
authors.forename: Maria Pia
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Villa
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Miano
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rizzoli
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D019186:Mandibular Advancement / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016382:Orthodontic Appliance Design; D010155:Palatal Expansion Technique / Q000295:instrumentation*; D017286:Polysomnography; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome