Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

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Treatment of OSA

Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a prevalent but under-diagnosed disease. The importance of screening for OSA in every child has recently been re-emphasized by the American Academy of Pediatrics Guidelines.

OSA is a medical condition that is diagnosed by a medical doctor, but can be treated by a dentist with advanced understanding and training of this life threatening breathing disorder. Working with a Sleep Physician, ENT and others is necessary in treating OSA. Adult therapies for the management of OSA are not suitable for children. Therapies such as Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) and Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) have been known to arrest skeletal development of the growing child. The good news is, children are still in developmental stages and when identified with Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders, orthopedic development can provide long term successful results. Proper diagnosis and communication between medical and dental providers are key to the success of the treatment.

Symptoms of Childhood OSA

  • Snoring
  • Mouth breathing
  • Restlessness during sleep
  • Sleeping in odd positions
  • Periods of not breathing
  • Night terrors
  • Mood changes
  • Poor concentration
  • Bed Wetting
  • Headaches
  • Frequent infections

Learn more about what our patients have to say

about the TMJ & Sleep Therapy Centre of San Diego

jody riley
jody riley
2024-01-25
Excellent care!! !!!I feel so much better !! Thank you!!!
Mary Prendergast
Mary Prendergast
2024-01-17
I have been seeing the specialists at La Mesa's TMJ Centre since the mid-1990s when my dentist referred me to Dr. Smith. I am utterly please with the care. My headaches, jaw pain have majorly improved. I feel comfortable and confident in their care and am faithful wearing my appliances. Dr. Smith has retired and the new doctor has the same caring attitude.
Brittany Gasner
Brittany Gasner
2024-01-09
Such a beautiful office, comforting, always welcomed with smiling faces. LOVE coming in weekly for my tmj therapy with Kylee, she is so knowledgeable and listens to my needs as a patient. Great team here! Thanks Dr.Brad and crew!
Renee Wilkinson
Renee Wilkinson
2024-01-06
Wonderful staff. Clean and stylish lobby with very knowledgeable team. Genuinely cares for their patients and anyone that is there to consult with a professional on their issues. Victoria was exceptional and the doctor made me feel comfortable as I have high anxiety going to dentists/doctors.
Andrew Cross, II
Andrew Cross, II
2023-11-10
TMJ is always friendly and very helpful. They are more concerned about “YOU” as a patient and your health, than getting you in and out quickly!
Barbara Blaney
Barbara Blaney
2023-11-10
Doctors are smart, respectful and actually listen to patient needs. Supported by an amazing team of women, from the front desk to behind the scenes, who deal with patients in a kind,considerate way that is not often found at most dr's offices today.
Anthony Delgado
Anthony Delgado
2023-10-30
I recently went thru treatment for some jaw pain and popping, and had great results! I didn't have a referral at first but I was looking around online to see if I could find a professional to check out the problems I was having. You start off with a consultation and go thru several exams and testing which I felt were comprehensive and convinced me to pursue the 3 month treatment. The downside is that insurance may not cover the visits and treatment regiment, but it was definitely worth the money. I would recommend this place to anyone looking for TMJ treatment. The staff and doctor are also very friendly and knowledgeable
m s
m s
2023-10-14
Dr Sainsbury, Victoria, THANK YOU! As a fellow colleague who found herself in urgent need of help with her child, I cannot express enough gratitude or say enough about this office's mission and compassion! Although Dr Sainsbury doesn't usually see patients on Fridays, after Victoria relayed my story to him, he offered to come to the office to see my child and help in any way he could. And that he did! Dr Sainsbury was personable, clearly very knowledgeable and clear on his diagnosis and recommendations. He helped put my teen at ease immediately. Although in this case the diagnosis did not fall squarely into the TMJ realm, the attitude was not one of "sorry can't help you, bye" as is a little too often in healthcare. Dr Sainsbury clearly had a deep understanding of not only his field but the associated fields. He was sympathetic and offered pain relief services as well as take home products, self care advice and suggestions as to next steps. Everything a patient in pain (or parent of one!) would hope to find in their treating clinician! Willing and able to help! Thank you!