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Good morning.

A compelling 2016 study in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine followed 100 children with obstructive sleep apnea and craniofacial conditions. Researchers found that kids who compliantly used nasal CPAP (nPAP) over 2.5 years experienced midface retrusion, palatal plane rotation, and flaring of maxillary incisors — all signs that facial growth was being negatively altered by the pressure of the mask.

This isn’t just about dental alignment. Midface retrusion can narrow the airway even further, compounding the very condition CPAP was meant to help.

In Today’s Edition:

1. Why CPAP is not a long-term solution for pediatric OSA

2. New research on facial growth changes linked to CPAP use

3. The overlooked role of allergies and nasal obstruction

4. A call to rethink airway care for the next generation

5. Personal reflections from Dr. Bennett

6. CE Opportunities

5-minute read👇

Clinical Corner

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Key Takeaways🔑

🚨 CPAP: A Life Raft, Not a Lifestyle

CPAP can be lifesaving — especially in severe cases — but let’s be clear: it was never intended to be a permanent solution, particularly for children. Even for adults, it’s emergency breathing support — a bridge, not a destination.

And when high pressures are needed just to force air through a congested nose, the strain on the face and tissues increases. That’s why it’s essential to optimize the upper airway by:

• Testing and treating allergies

• Addressing chronic nasal congestion

• Improving nasal breathing and reducing inflammation

Doing so can reduce the necessary PAP pressure and potentially reduce the need for long-term device use altogether.

What This Means for Us

Sleep physicians: Don’t just turn up the pressure — look upstream. Refer for nasal obstruction and allergy management early.
Dentists: Co-manage with ENTs and allergists. Identify mouth breathing and midfacial growth patterns early.
Parents: If your child “hates their mask,” snorts or sniffles through the day, or always breathes through their mouth, there may be a fixable reason. Ask about allergy testing and nasal evaluation.
All of us: Treat root causes, not just airflow. The nose is not optional.

As a grandfather of 10 beautiful grandchildren, my wife and I see this work not just as healthcare, but as a mission for generational wellness. We are fighting for the next generation to live strong, vibrant lives — breathing through their noses, sleeping deeply, and, as needed, remodeling the functional spaces of their faces and airways the way nature intended.

We aren’t anti-CPAP. We’re pro-healing. True healing doesn’t come from masking symptoms — it comes from optimizing airflow, reducing inflammation, and supporting natural growth through interdisciplinary care.

Let’s trade in temporary pressure for long-term progress. Let’s help kids reclaim the night — and their future. Find your “why.”

Something Sweet

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CE Opportunities / Events

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Miscellaneous

😅P.S. … At More Than Teeth, we believe health starts in the mouth, with how we breathe, sleep, grow, and heal. This newsletter isn’t just for dentists. It’s for anyone in healthcare who sees that restorative sleep, airway function, proper nutrition, and early growth patterns are the foundation for lifelong wellness.

If this message resonates with you, please forward it to a colleague — a pediatrician, a therapist, a hygienist, a coach, a teacher, or a parent. Let’s connect the dots across professions. Thank you for being a part of this health revolution!