Three specialists. Three partial views. One child who needs the whole picture.
The developing airway cannot be understood through a single lens. It requires the integration of structure, function and growth — across disciplines that have traditionally worked apart. Pediatric Orofacial Medicine brings these perspectives together into one unified clinical framework.
01 — ENT
Beyond tonsils and adenoids
Paediatric obstructive sleep breathing is still too often reduced to adenotonsillar hypertrophy. But airway development depends on far more than soft-tissue volume — including nasal anatomy, the septum and naso-maxillary growth.
This is where ENT becomes Airway ENT.
“The absence of apnoea doesn’t mean the absence of obstruction.”
02 — Orthodontist
Orthopedics is not orthodontics
Orthodontics has become predominantly tooth-focused. But the developing airway demands a different perspective: one centred on skeletal growth, facial development and breathing function — especially during the early years when growth can still be guided.
This is where Orthodontics becomes Airway Orthopaedics.
“Orthodontics moves teeth. Orthopedics guides the whole facial skeleton.”
03 — Myofunctional Therapist
Muscle work fails before the bone is fixed
Tongue posture, swallowing and orofacial muscle function cannot be understood in isolation. When the underlying skeletal environment is not addressed, functional adaptations can persist — and so can the problem.
This is where myofunctional therapy becomes Airway Myology.
“Muscles and tongue are essential — but can’t be treated until the bone is corrected.”
Founded by Dr. Marisa Santos & Dr. Patrícia Cubells-Ricart