[Interpretation of "sleep-disordered breathing and orthodontics: an American Association of Orthodontists white paper update"].

In 2024, the Board of Trustees of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) established a special task force consisting of AAO members, academics, and clinicians deeply engaged in the field of dental sleep medicine to evaluate and update the content of the 2019 White Paper entitled Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Orthodontics. This paper presents a professional interpretation of the updated white paper. By integrating the national contextual differences in orthodontic clinical practice between China and other countries, it clarifies the core positioning and professional boundaries of orthodontists in the management of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). Meanwhile, based on the actual clinical situation in China, it provides practical guidance for orthodontists to implement the concepts of the white paper and standardize clinical practices.