PEDIATRIC SLEEP DISORDERS AND CRANIOFACIAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT: WHERE DO THE DOTS CONNECT?
Dr. German Ramirez Yañez, DDS, Pedo & Ortho Cert, MDSc, MSc, PhD, FRCD(C)

As it is known today, Sleep and Breathing Disorders may be associated to deviations in the Craniofacial Growth and Development. In this lecture, Dr. Ramirez will present insights of Craniofacial Growth and Development to intercept developing malocclusions in children at a very early age. He will also put in context how developing a correct structure of the mouth and proper oral functions give the basis for producing a better airway. Therefore, Dr. Ramirez’s lecture will give the basis to understand how a deviation in craniofacial growth may impact the airway in children as well as to envision the importance of a myofunctional approach when intercepting a developing malocclusion at an early age, which may be associated with a sleep and breathing disorder.

Objectives:

• To recognize the association between craniofacial structural and functional disturbances with sleep and breathing disorders.
• To comprehend the differences between Obstructive Sleep Disordered Breathing (oSDB) and Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
• To expound the consequences of mouth breathing, as a chronic problem on the patient’s general health.

Dr. Ramirez obtained his DDS degree from the Javeriana University in Colombia. He completed a Pediatric Dentistry Diploma in Mexico and trained in Orthodontics in Brazil. He completed a Master of Dental Sciences and a PhD in Oral Biology in Australia. He also holds a Master degree focusing in Craniofacial Pain and Sleep Apnea from Tufts University, USA. Dr. Ramirez has been an academic in USA and Canada. He is a fellow of the Royal College of Dentist of Canada and has his practice in Aurora, Ontario. Dr. Ramirez is the author of two books, “Early Treatment of Malocclusions: Prevention and Interception in Primary Dentition” and “Pediatric Airway-Focused Myofunctional Orthodontics.” He investigates on Craniofacial Growth and Development, the Patho-Physiology of Functional Disorders in the Cranio-Cervico-Mandibular System and how the Craniofacial Structures are modified by functional appliances. In 2021, Dr. Ramirez, as invited professor, incepted the course “Sleep Dental Medicine” in the Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry specialties at the Dental School, Loma Linda University in California. Dr. Ramirez is advocated to preventing before treating.

1 CE credit available to AAPMD members