Identifying the Root Causes of Sleep Disordered Breathing and Their Impact on Treatment Selection

Presented by: Laura Walls, MS, CCC-SLP

Original Publication Date: January 16, 2026 (Midwinter Virtual Institute 2026)

Course Description:

Sleep Disordered Breathing is a multifactorial condition influenced by a combination of structural, functional, and systemic factors that extend beyond airway obstruction alone. Contributing elements may include craniofacial structure, oral posture, neuromuscular coordination, breathing patterns, and inflammatory burden. When these underlying drivers are not adequately identified, treatment outcomes may be inconsistent, and long-term adherence can be compromised.

This webinar presents a root cause-focused framework for evaluating sleep disordered breathing through an oral systemic perspective. Participants will explore how factors such as tongue posture, nasal airway resistance, orofacial muscle tone, swallowing patterns, and sleep-related breathing behaviors interact with systemic health and influence clinical presentation. The discussion will address the limitations of single modality approaches and emphasize the importance of comprehensive assessment in guiding care decisions.

Attendees will gain practical insight into interdisciplinary evaluation strategies and learn how identifying dominant contributing factors supports more appropriate and individualized treatment selection. The session emphasizes improved clinical outcomes, patient compliance, and long-term airway stability through coordinated care across dental, medical, and allied health disciplines.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the structural, functional, and systemic factors that contribute to sleep disordered breathing beyond airway obstruction alone.
2. Explain how oral posture, neuromuscular coordination, and breathing patterns influence sleep-related breathing disorders and treatment outcomes.
3. Apply a root-cause, oral–systemic assessment framework to support individualized and interdisciplinary treatment selection for sleep disordered breathing.

Practical Applications:

1. Screen patients for oral posture, breathing patterns, and neuromuscular dysfunction when evaluating sleep-related breathing concerns.
2. Use root-cause findings to guide referrals and collaboration with dental, myofunctional, and airway-focused providers.
3. Improve patient compliance and long-term outcomes by aligning treatment choices with dominant contributing factors rather than relying on a single modality.

Method: Lecture

Location: Online (Zoom)

AGD Course Code: 730 (Oral Medicine, Oral Diagnosis, Oral Pathology)

Credit Hours: 1

Speaker's Bio:

Laura Walls, MS, CCC-SLP, is a licensed speech-language pathologist with over 30 years of experience specializing in pediatric rehabilitation, myofunctional disorders, and airway diagnostics. A graduate of UC Santa Barbara and CSU Hayward, she has worked across diverse clinical settings—from the VA Hospital in San Francisco to NICUs—focusing on feeding, speech, and cognitive disorders. Laura is the creator of the My Mouthworks® Program and inventor of the FDA-cleared Oral Placement Appliance® (OPA). Her work integrates whole-body approaches to address sleep-disordered breathing, TMJD, and myofunctional concerns in both children and adults.

Conflict of Interest:

Owner/CEO at Innovative Oral Solutions and Innovative Therapy 4 Kids