Airway, Open Bites, and Sleep Apnea in the Orthodontic Office

What do we know about the connection between airway obstruction and skeletal discrepancies such as the classic "adenoid facies"? Traditionally we are trained to analyze the airway using only the lateral view on a cephalometric film, but the airway is a three-dimensional structure, and that third dimension may be hiding something relevant to our diagnosis. This presentation will show how the orthodontist can help identify and manage obstructions and sleep apnea in pediatric and adult patients, and hopefully prevent anomalies in growth and development.

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze both the nasal passage and the pharyngeal airway in 3D.
• Identify the airway's role in craniofacial growth and development.
• Identify how you can help your patients in your office without compromising efficiency.