Editorial: Airways and malocclusion: etiology and treatment outcomes

The correlation between the upper airway and malocclusion is still a controversial issue. Craniofacial abnormalities and dental malocclusions, such as mandibular retrusion, maxillary constriction, and vertical skeletal discrepancies, are strongly associated with reduced airway patency and increased pharyngeal collapsibility. This relationship underscores the importance of evaluating craniofacial morphology in both the diagnosis and management of OSAS. Treatment aims not only to reduce apneic events and improve sleep quality but also to restore normal breathing dynamics and prevent long-term cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurocognitive complications. Achieving these goals requires a multidisciplinary approach that integrates orthodontics, surgery, otolaryngology, and sleep medicine to provide effective and long-term outcomes.