Soroush Zaghi, MD: No relevant disclosure to display
Functional Approach to Sleep and Breathing: Pediatric healthcare providers are in a unique position to screen and monitor for myofunctional and upper airway function disorders that may impact long-term craniofacial and airway development. Chronic mouth breathing and low resting tongue posture in actively growing children is associated with palatal growth restriction, alterations of craniofacial development, altered head posture, attention issues, poor school performance, relapse of orthodontic treatment, and increased risk for obstructive-sleep apnea later in life. This presentation will provide an overview of the entire spectrum of sleep-related breathing disorders ranging from mouth breathing to upper airway resistance syndrome, snoring, and obstructive sleep apnea in pediatric populations. The emphasis of the presentation will be on understanding how addressing sleep and breathing issues early on can make a huge impact on the overall health and quality of life of their patients. Participants will learn to not only screening and refer patients with symptoms of mouth breathing and myofunctional disorders but more importantly to actively participate in management and prevention through encouragement and support of nasal breathing and tongue posture with myofunctional therapy, lingual frenuloplasty, and dental orthodontic treatments.
Learning Objectives:
Learn how the clinical definition of ankyloglossia has evolved over recent years. Be able to evaluate for “anterior” tongue-tie through an assessment of free tongue-length, as well as “posterior” tongue-ties through assessment of tongue elevation, lingual palatal suction, floor of mouth hold, and myofunctional compensations for restricted tongue mobility.
Appreciate the importance of high versus low tongue-resting posture, understand that frenulum restrictions are only one cause of altered tongue mobility, and be prepared to discuss a differential diagnosis for oral dysfunction.
Overview of surgical technique to build an appreciation for the depth of the surgical release required to achieve optimal post-op mobility and functioning. Understand the role of pre-op and post-op myofunctional therapy in the treatment of ankyloglossia.
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