PEDIATRIC OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA AND FUNCTIONAL APPLIANCES: A NARRATIVE REVIEW

F. Melloni¹, P. Montagna¹, P. Faccioni¹, L. Berviglieri¹, J. Stevanin¹, B. Olivato¹, N. Tomizioli¹, L. Tarabini¹, G. Colapinto^1*, A. Sammarco¹ and B. Mattei²

¹Head and Neck Department, Department of Surgery, Dentistry, Pediatrics and Gynecology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy;
²Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery Unit, University Hospital of Modena, Modena, Italy

*Correspondence to:
Gianluca Colapinto, MD, DDS
Head and Neck Department,
Department of Surgery, Dentistry, Pediatrics, and Gynecology,
University of Verona,
Verona, Italy
e-mail: gianluca.colapinto@univr.it

Received: 11 March, 2026 Accepted: 13 April, 2026

ISSN 2975-044X (online) ISSN 2038-4106 (print) Copyright © by LAB PUBLISHERS 2026 This publication and/or article is for individual use only and may not be further reproduced without written permission from the copyright holder. Unauthorized reproduction may result in financial and other penalties. Disclosure: All authors report no conflicts of interest relevant to this article.

ABSTRACT

Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is frequently associated with craniofacial abnormalities, including mandibular retrusion. Mandibular advancement appliances (MAAs) have emerged as a non-surgical therapeutic option, although their clinical effectiveness remains debated. This review critically synthesizes and discusses current evidence on the effects of mandibular advancement appliances on respiratory outcomes, airway morphology, craniofacial changes, and clinical symptoms in children with obstructive sleep apnea.

KEYWORDS: sleep apnea, obstructive, mandibular advancement, orthodontic appliances