Landmark FDA Cleared Technology

25,000+ Children Treated with Vivos Appliances

With the only FDA-cleared oral appliance indicated to treat obstructive sleep apnea in children ages 6–17, Vivos offers a non-surgical approach designed to support healthy jaw development and improved breathing during sleep.

The Surprising Connection

Why Sleep Problems Look Like Behavior Problems

A child peacefully sleeping on a desk in a classroom with blurred background.

The Warning Signs We’re Missing

Tired Kids Don’t Act Tired

When adults don’t sleep well, they feel sleepy the next day. Children are different. When children don’t sleep well, they often become hyperactive, cranky, or have trouble focusing. Many children have been diagnosed with ADHD or other behavior problems when the real cause is that they cannot breathe well at night.

It Starts With Breathing

How Does This Happen?

Think about what happens when you pinch a straw. Not much water gets through. The same thing happens to a child’s airway when their jaw is too small. Their tongue has nowhere to go, so it blocks their throat while they sleep. The child wakes up over and over, sometimes without knowing it, and never gets deep, restful sleep.

The next day, that child’s brain is exhausted. But instead of yawning and wanting a nap, the child might bounce off the walls, have meltdowns, or struggle to pay attention in school.

A doctor conducts a patient consultation in a bright, modern medical office.

Signs to Watch For — Parent’s Checklist

Does your child show any of these signs? Check all that apply:

Sign	What It Means
☑︎ Snoring	Even quiet snoring can be a sign that something is blocking your child’s airway.
☑︎ Mouth Breathing	Humans are meant to breathe through their nose. Mouth breathing can mean the nose or airway is blocked.
☑︎ Bedwetting	When oxygen drops during sleep, the brain signals the kidneys to release fluid. This can cause bedwetting.
☑︎ Teeth Grinding	The body may grind teeth to push the jaw forward and open the airway during sleep.
☑︎ Hyperactivity or Focus Issues	Sleep deprivation in children often looks like ADHD. Many children are misdiagnosed.
☑︎ Crooked or Crowded Teeth	Crowded teeth often mean the jaw is too small, which also means the airway may be too narrow.
☑︎ Dark Circles Under Eyes	“Allergic shiners” can be a sign of chronic poor sleep, not just allergies.
☑︎ Restless Sleep / Night Terrors	Tossing, turning, and waking up frightened can be signs of disrupted breathing.

If you checked two or more boxes, your child may benefit from a sleep and airway evaluation.

Why This Happens

It Starts with the Jaws

Many children today do not develop their jaws fully. Researchers believe this may be related to modern diets (softer foods that don’t require as much chewing), pacifier use, thumb sucking, and other factors. When the jaw doesn’t grow enough, there’s not enough room for the tongue and the airway stays narrow.

The Good News

Children Are Still Growing. Unlike adults, children’s bones are still developing. This means there is a window of opportunity to guide jaw growth in the right direction, before the problem becomes more difficult to address.

Pediatric Solutions

DNA Appliance

Category	DNA Appliance
Age Range	Ages 6-17 \| FDA Cleared (K234089)
What They Are	A custom-made dental appliance designed for your child’s unique anatomy.
How They Work	The ONLY oral device FDA-cleared to treat moderate-to-severe pediatric OSA. No other oral appliance has this clearance for children.
Best For	Children ages 6-17 with diagnosed sleep apnea or significant airway concerns.

What to Expect — A Parent’s Guide

Step 1

Evaluation

Your child’s provider will examine their mouth, teeth, and jaw. They may recommend an at-home sleep test to measure how well your child breathes during sleep. This test uses a simple ring sensor worn on the finger, no hospital visit needed.

Step 2

Treatment Planning

If treatment is recommended, a 3D scan of your child’s mouth helps the provider choose the right appliance and create a personalized treatment plan.

Step 3

Getting the Appliance

Your child will be fitted with their custom appliance. The provider will show you and your child how to wear it properly.

Step 4

Wearing the Appliance

Most children wear their appliance during sleep, about 8 to 10 hours each night. Some appliances are also worn for a few hours in the evening.

Step 5

Regular Check-Ups

Your child will visit the provider regularly (usually every 4-6 weeks) to check progress and make any needed adjustments.

Step 6

Completion

Treatment typically lasts 12 to 24 months. The goal is for your child’s jaw and airway to develop properly, providing benefits that can last a lifetime.

Parent Frequently Asked Questions

Your Questions Answered

No. Braces are fixed to the teeth and primarily focus on tooth alignment.
The Vivos DNA appliance is removable and designed to support changes in the structure of the jaws and dental arches over time. This approach may also support improvements in airway function as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

If your child is put in braces while experiencing a sleep and breathing disorder such as OSA, mouth breathing, bedwetting, insomnia, etc. then you should immediately consult with your dentist or orthodontist. If they dismiss your concerns, then you should seek a second opinion from a dentist with experience in pediatric sleep disorders. You may have to make a difficult decision. Many parents opt to prioritize their child’s overall health and wellness over a cosmetic benefit that may relapse with time.

Dental insurance with orthodontic benefits will most likely provide coverage up to the individual policy limits, just as with orthodontics. In addition, medical insurance coverage may also be available in certain cases based on the policy and the medical necessity as determined by your doctors.

Pediatric cases are highly dependent on a number of factors such as the age of the child at the onset of treatment and the severity of the condition. The primary treatment objective in pediatric treatment with Vivos oral appliances is to establish proper nasal breathing. Once that objective is met, then the proper development of the dental arches and airway become paramount. In a growing child, that process can take place over several years. Fortunately, after the initial phase of treatment, there is often very little need for formal intervention by the treating dentist beyond an annual or semiannual checkup.

Individual results vary. Consult your healthcare provider for personalized medical advice.