SANTA CRUZ, SCOTTS VALLEY CA
We have a few questions to about the quality of sleep your child is getting:
- Does your child ever seem to struggle to breathe at night?
- Does s/he snore, take pauses in breathing or make choking or gasping noises as if s/he has momentarily stopped breathing?
- Is s/he still wetting the bed after age 5?
- Does your child suffer from night terrors?
- Do you notice that your child keeps his or her mouth open to breathe at night?
- Has anyone mentioned that your child may have ADD, ADHD or other behavioral problems?
- Is your child excessively sleepy during the day, or does s/he have trouble concentrating at school?
- Does your child frequently wake up during the night or wake up in the mornings, complaining about headaches?
If you answered yes to a majority of these questions then your child may be suffering from pediatric sleep apnea, a dangerous sleep-breathing disorder that, if left untreated, can carry severe health risks, such as cardiovascular problems, cognitive issues and behavioral disturbances.
Fortunately, your pediatric dentist in Santa Cruz at Ebrahimian Dentistry has the tools and knowledge to help create a customized treatment plan for your child’s sleep apnea, and one of the more popular tools we use is the Vivos Appliance. Today, our pediatric airway dentist is providing information about this treatment plan that could help your child get a better night’s sleep, which would give us all something to smile about …
What is pediatric sleep apnea?
Much like sleep apnea in adults, childhood sleep apnea is a disorder characterized by pauses in breathing or shallow breaths during sleep. The condition can present itself in children due to various factors, including enlarged tonsils or adenoids, obesity or craniofacial abnormalities.
Treating childhood sleep apnea with the Vivos Appliance
How we choose to treat an individual child’s sleep apnea depends on the severity of the case. The Vivos Appliance is a cutting-edge, non-surgical treatment for sleep apnea that works by addressing the underlying causes of sleep-disordered breathing, particularly those related to craniofacial development. Unlike traditional treatments such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines or surgery, the Vivos Appliance offers a more holistic approach that focuses on long-term correction instead of simply managing symptoms.
How does the Vivos Appliance work?
The Vivos Appliance employs a patented technology known as VivosDNA (Daytime-Nighttime Appliance), which is custom-designed for patients. The appliance is worn during sleep and gently guides the growth and development of the upper airway, jaw and facial structures. By promoting proper alignment and expansion of these tissues, the appliance helps to improve airflow and reduce breathing disturbances during sleep.
Let’s break it down a bit further:
- Facial growth guidance — The Vivos Appliance exerts gentle pressure on specific areas of the mouth and jaw to encourage natural growth and development of the craniofacial structures, including the upper airway, jaw and surrounding tissues.
- Expansion and alignment — Over time, the Vivos Appliance helps to expand the dental arches and improve the teeth’s alignment. This expansion creates more space within the mouth, reducing crowding and allowing for better airflow during sleep.
- Airway support — By promoting proper alignment and expansion of the upper airway, the Vivos Appliance helps to keep the airway from collapsing or becoming obstructed during sleep. This reduces the frequency and severity of breathing disturbances associated with pediatric sleep apnea.
- Gradual adjustment — The Vivos Appliance is typically adjusted over several months as the craniofacial structures adapt and respond to the treatment. This gradual adjustment minimizes discomfort and allows for optimal results.
- Long-term correction — Unlike temporary solutions, the goal of the Vivos Appliance is to achieve long-term correction of sleep-disordered breathing by addressing the root causes of the condition. By promoting natural craniofacial development, the appliance aims to provide lasting improvements in sleep quality and overall health.
PEDIATRIC SLEEP APNEA TREATMENT IN SCOTTS VALLEY, SANTA CRUZ, AND LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
We want to make sure your child receives the best night’s sleep possible, and the Vivos Appliance is one proven way to do it if your child suffers from sleep-disordered breathing. If you’re curious to know more, or if you have any questions, call us at Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry, (831) 824-5111, or reach out to us online today.
