Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children with Class II Skeletal Malocclusion: Efficacy of Twin Block Management

Abstract

Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea is an increasing major public health concern worldwide, partly resulting from the obesity epidemic which has encroached into the pediatric population. Individuals with a Class II skeletal malocclusion may suffer from snoring due to a retrognathic position of the mandible resulting in a restricted posterior pharyngeal airway space thus resulting in snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. This sleep pathology carries devastating health consequences resulting in daytime fatigue, hyperactivity and finally resulting in poor performance at school. Orthodontic therapy at an early age in OSA children may be effective in improving upper airway patency and alleviating symptoms of OSA. The twin block appliance was advocated as an efficient oral appliance for the treatment of children with OSA and mandibular retrognathia. The purpose of this chapter is to study the impact of twin block management on respiratory and biochemical parameters of Class II malocclusion children with OSA.