Orthotropics: What You Need to Know

When children have trouble sleeping and seem to struggle in school, these two issues may be connected. In addition, the source of these trouble could be connected to their smile, particularly, the development and growth of their jaw and oral structures. To help children in Livonia, MI, with these issues, we may prescribe orthotropic treatment.

Try Our Childhood Questionnaire

On our website we have a Child Sleep Health Questionnaire. Simply print and fill out the for, which asks questions about your child’s sleep habit. We can then take a look and assess how at risk your child is of developing, or suffering, from a serious sleep disorder. We will then perform a thorough examination. The questionnaire only takes a few minutes to fill out. Common warning signs of sleep trouble include:

  • Difficulty breathing/cessation of breathing during sleep
  • Exhaustion, moodiness, and trouble concentrating/focusing during the day
  • Sleep walking/talking/screaming and movement during sleep
  • Teeth grinding, headaches, and issues at school
  • Falling asleep in school and waking up in the night
  • Difficulty waking in the morning or going to bed at night

The Treatment Process

Often, these issues develop due to trouble breathing. When problems occur with the growth and development of our jaws and oral structures, then children may struggle to breath and subsequently, sleep. In order to offer treatment, we will create a custom-made orthotropic appliance. The device will be worn as the child sleeps, much like a nightguard. The device actually guides the growth and development of the jaw and oral structures, while also ensuring uninterrupted breathing.

The Long Term Benefits

Over time, treatment helps reduce the risk of sleep apnea and other sleep disorders. Children are also less likely to be diagnosed as ADD or ADHD. If you have any questions, contact our team today!

Does Your Child Need Orthotropic Solutions?

Using a custom-made oral appliance, we can often provide a solution to your child’s sleep difficulty. James Stewart, DDS, and our team serve patients from Livonia, MI, as well as Farmington Hills, Farmington, Plymouth, Northville, Novi, Dearborn Heights, Dearborn, Garden City, Westland, Redford, and the surrounding communities. To schedule a consultation, call our office today at (734) 425-4400.