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Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) with Target Controlled Infusion (TCI) and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
07:54

Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) with Target Controlled Infusion (TCI) and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Published on: December 6, 2016

[Could mouth breathing lead to obstructive sleep apnea syndromes. A preliminary study]

S Raskin1, M Limme, R Poirrier

  • 1Service d'O.D.F. et Orthodontie, C.H.U. de Liège, Ulg, Belgique.

L' Orthodontie Francaise
|June 6, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Buccal (mouth) breathing in children may lead to obstructive sleep apnea later in life. A simple clinical exam can identify mouth breathers, who show sleep disturbances and skeletal issues.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Orthodontics

Context:

  • Diagnosing pediatric breathing patterns is crucial for identifying potential health risks.
  • Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a growing concern in children.
  • Differentiating between nasal and buccal (mouth) breathing is often challenging.

Purpose:

  • To develop an easy diagnostic method for identifying buccal and nasal breather children.
  • To investigate the potential link between childhood buccal breathing and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.
  • To compare clinical, functional, and polysomnographical findings between the two groups.

Summary:

  • A preliminary study involving 22 children utilized clinical, orthophonic, orthodontic, postural, and polysomnographical assessments.
  • A proposed clinical exam effectively distinguished between buccal and nasal breathers.
  • Buccal breathers exhibited velar issues, mandibular discrepancies, and poorer sleep quality with higher apnea/hypopnea indices.

Impact:

  • This research suggests buccal breathing in children may be an etiological factor for obstructive sleep apnea in adulthood.
  • The findings highlight the importance of early diagnosis and intervention for pediatric breathing disorders.
  • The study provides a foundation for further research into the long-term consequences of mouth breathing.

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