The management of obstructive sleep apnea accompanied with mandibular retrognathia across the lifespan from orthodontic perspective

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a complex disease with complex etiology, which requires multidisciplinary cooperation in diagnosis and treatment. Mandibular retrognathia is strongly associated with OSA. Orthodontists can either correct the mandibular retrognathia of pediatric OSA via various kinds of orthodontic appliances, following adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy, or enlarge upper airway by mandibular advancement device (MAD) through repositioning the mandible and tongue of adult OSA patients. This mini review was to investigate the therapy of MAD to adult OSA as well as orthodontic treatment to pediatric OSA.