Andreu Puigdollers
Biography
- Degree of Licenciate in Medicine and Surgery (MD).
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.
- Degree of Specialist in Stomatology (DDS). Universitat de Barcelona.
- Máster in Orthodontics. Universitat de Barcelona.
- PhD in Medicine. Universitat de Barcelona.
- Director of the Department of Orthodontics. Faculty of Odontology. Universitat Internacional de Catalunya.
- Diplomate of the Spanish Board of Orthodontics.
- Diplomate of the European Board of Orthodontics (EBO).
- Active Member of the Angle Society of Europe (ASE).
- Certificate of Expertise in Sleep Dental Medicine.
- President of the NEBEOP Board (EOS).
- Examiner of the European Board of Orthodontics, Italian Board of Orthodontics, Spanish Board of Orthodontics.
- Orthodontic practice in Barcelona. Spain.
Title
Obstructive sleep apnea in children
Abstract
Sleep disordered breathing are highly prevalent in children. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a chronic disease characterized by increasingly worsening upper airway resistance, with a variable range of symptoms and morbidity rates.
The aim of this presentation is to present the role of the orthodontist from the point of view of diagnosis and treatment in OSA children.
Polysomnography is the gold standard in the diagnosis of the OSA. Furthermore, the International Classification of Sleep Disorders in children, indicate that the presence of signs and symptoms as labored breathing, sleepiness, hyperactivity, behavioral problems, or learning problems, indicate sleep disorders. In this sense, the orthodontist should be aware of them. Specifically, regarding the age and the clinical phenotype of the child. Also, the orthodontist should be familiar with the clinical examination, dentofacial characteristics and the use of screening tools to detect OSA.
The first line of treatment is the adenotonsillectomy. But the role of the orthodontist includes treatment of the skeletal discrepancy and to improve the oronasal function by means of myofunctional therapy.