Children’s bodies and brains are growing, and thus have unique sleep needs that adults do not.
Sleep Apnea Treatment for Children – Westminster, CO
Sleep Apnea Treatment for Children – Westminster, CO
Children’s bodies and brains are growing, and thus have unique sleep needs that adults do not.
Helping Kids Sleep Better, Grow Stronger, and Thrive
Children’s bodies and brains are growing, and thus have unique sleep needs that adults do not. Sleep-disordered breathing, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), can affect their development, learning, behavior, and long-term health. Identifying and addressing sleep problems early can prevent complications and support healthy growth. Here at Elevate Airway TMJ Sleep, we combine medical expertise, airway-focused dental care, and behavioral strategies to help children of all ages achieve restorative sleep.
Recognizing the Signs
Children with sleep apnea or airway obstruction may show:
- Loud or frequent snoring
- Mouth breathing during sleep
- Pauses in breathing or gasping
- Nightmares, bedwetting, or restless sleep
- Difficulty waking or daytime fatigue
- Behavioral or learning challenges
These signs may indicate underlying airway or structural issues that require evaluation and treatment.
Pediatric Sleep Evaluation
A comprehensive assessment is the first step:
- Medical and Developmental History: Understanding growth, health conditions, and sleep patterns
- Airway and Structural Assessment: Evaluating tonsils, adenoids, palate, jaw, and tongue mobility
- Behavioral and Environmental Factors: Reviewing bedtime routines, sleep hygiene, and habits
- Testing Options: Home sleep studies, in-lab sleep studies, and developmental assessments when needed
This multi-faceted approach ensures that our treatment will target the root cause of your child’s disrupted sleep.
Treatment Options for Pediatric Sleep Apnea
Treatment depends on the child’s age, airway anatomy and the severity of the obstruction. There are 4 main approaches:
Airway Focused Dental Care:
- Palatal expansion to create space for proper tongue posture and airway
- Orthodontic guidance to support balanced jaw development
- Tongue-tie evaluation and release when restricted movement affects function
- We perform Myofunctional therapy to retrain oral muscles for proper breathing and posture
Medical and Surgical Interventions:
- We Evaluate for enlarged tonsils and adenoids; and perform an adenotonsillectomy when appropriate
- We optimize your Nasal breathing and manage allergies.
Sleep Support Tools
CPAP or oxygen therapy for children with moderate to severe obstruction when needed.
Invisalign and Palatal Expanders
Invisalign aligners provide a gentle, flexible way to guide teeth into proper alignment, making treatment comfortable and easier for children to wear. Palatal expanders, on the other hand, gently widen the upper jaw, creating space for the tongue and supporting proper nasal breathing. This not only helps improve oral posture but can also reduce the risk of future sleep-disordered breathing.
When used together as part of an airway-focused approach, Invisalign and expanders help establish structural balance in the mouth and jaw. This can positively influence tongue posture, improve breathing, and promote long-term dental and facial health. By addressing alignment and growth early, we give children the best chance to develop strong, healthy smiles while supporting their overall sleep and developmental well-being.
Why Early Intervention Matters
The benefits of treating pediatric sleep apnea early includes:
- Supporting healthy brain and body development
- Reduces the risk of cardiovascular and metabolic issues later in life
- Improves learning, behavior, and attention
- Promotes proper facial growth, airway development, and oral health
Our Approach
We provide gentle, evidence-based care that works for children and families. Treatment plans are developmentally appropriate, family-centered, and designed to integrate medical, dental, and behavioral strategies. Regular follow-ups ensure progress as children grow, helping maintain healthy sleep patterns and preventing relapse. Our team also educates families on nasal breathing, bedtime routines, and long-term habits that support restful, restorative sleep.
Experience the Difference
Our patients choose us because we treat the whole system. Schedule a consultation today and discover a practice that combines expertise, compassion, and a focus on long-term health.
Experience the Difference
Our patients choose us because we treat the whole system. Schedule a consultation today and discover a practice that combines expertise, compassion, and a focus on long-term health.
Meet Dr. Stamm
You don’t come to Dr. Stamm because you’re looking for a quick fix.
Patients often find their way here after something hasn’t quite added up, persistent jaw discomfort, breathing or sleep concerns, or a sense that symptoms are being treated without understanding the full picture.
Dr. Stamm takes a step back. She looks at how the airway, jaw, bite, and overall function work together before recommending anything. Her approach is thoughtful, thorough, and grounded in the belief that better outcomes start with better questions.
What patients appreciate most is that she takes the time to explain why something may be happening, not just what to do next.
Meet Dr. Stamm
You don’t come to Dr. Stamm because you’re looking for a quick fix.
Patients often find their way here after something hasn’t quite added up, persistent jaw discomfort, breathing or sleep concerns, or a sense that symptoms are being treated without understanding the full picture.
Dr. Stamm takes a step back. She looks at how the airway, jaw, bite, and overall function work together before recommending anything. Her approach is thoughtful, thorough, and grounded in the belief that better outcomes start with better questions.
What patients appreciate most is that she takes the time to explain why something may be happening, not just what to do next.
Meet Dr. Chrissy
Dr. Chrissy has a way of making complex concerns feel manageable.
Whether she’s working with parents navigating feeding or development questions, or adults dealing with long-standing sleep or jaw issues, her focus is always the same, helping patients feel heard, informed, and supported.
She believes care should feel collaborative, not rushed. That means listening carefully, explaining options clearly, and guiding patients through decisions with honesty and empathy.
Patients often say they leave their visit feeling relieved, not because everything is “fixed” that day, but because they finally understand what’s going on.
Meet Dr. Chrissy
Dr. Chrissy has a way of making complex concerns feel manageable.
Whether she’s working with parents navigating feeding or development questions, or adults dealing with long-standing sleep or jaw issues, her focus is always the same, helping patients feel heard, informed, and supported.
She believes care should feel collaborative, not rushed. That means listening carefully, explaining options clearly, and guiding patients through decisions with honesty and empathy.
Patients often say they leave their visit feeling relieved, not because everything is “fixed” that day, but because they finally understand what’s going on.