Airway Orthodontics: Dental Care on the Treasure Coast

As sleep apnea and airway-centric dentists, we provide advanced airway orthodontics treatment for patients of all ages. This specialized orthodontics treats issues such as sleep-disordered breathing and airway health, which can lead to numerous immediate and long-term health issues in both children and adults.

While the timeliest treatment for these matters occurs in childhood, adults can also receive this life-changing care for better sleep, breathing, and health.

What is Airway Orthodontics?

Patients know that orthodontic treatment focuses on straightening teeth and restoring attractive smiles. However, airway orthodontics goes beyond straightening teeth.

The jaws, palate, and tongue formation can affect a patient's oral and overall health. If these structural problems exist, patients may have trouble breathing, leading to various health concerns. Airway orthodontics can remedy these anatomical issues using non-invasive techniques.

Symptoms That Could Indicate a Need for Airway Orthodontics

Children:

• Trouble sleeping or nightmares
• Snoring
• Mouth breathing
• Shallow, rapid breathing
• Episodes of interrupted breathing during sleep
• Bedwetting
• Daytime lethargy
• School performance negatively impacted
• ADHD or related symptoms

Adults:

• Observed episodes of stopped breathing at night
• Snoring
• Feeling poorly rested despite a whole night's sleep
• Work (or school) performance negatively impacted
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Falling asleep during daytime activities
• Obesity

Procedures Offered

Palatal Expanders for Children and Adults

Palatal expanders widen narrow jaws. Based on the patient's needs, a retainer appliance is fitted for the roof or bottom of the mouth to gradually widen the jaw, moving the halves of the jawbone apart. A palatal expander gives teeth and tongue room and can help correct breathing issues, misalignment, and poor dental bites.

HealthyStart™ and Myobrace® for Children

These early intervention appliance systems are soft plastic devices worn day and night (based on the child's treatment plan) to help with sleep-disordered breathing and airway issues and influence proper jaw growth. While working to maintain a healthy mouth, they also move and straighten their teeth, which reduces the need for braces later in childhood.

Oral Myofunctional Therapy

A myofunctional therapist is recommended to enhance a successful sleep and airway health outcome. Myofunctional therapy teaches patients proper swallowing, chewing, breathing, and tongue placement. It is like physical therapy for the mouth. Collaborating with an airway-centric dentist who provides airway orthodontic systems and treatments improves patients' outcomes.

Frenectomies

A tight frenum (the band of tissue connecting the tongue or lip to the gum) can cause oral development problems and contribute to obstructive sleep apnea. Laser frenectomies, which are fast, gentle, and have a brief recovery period, are recommended to address this issue.

Traditional (Metal) Braces

Metal braces are durable, versatile, and appropriate for all ages. Airway-centric dentists use traditional braces to correct tooth alignment issues that persist after the first treatment phase. Metal braces effectively move teeth and ensure proper jaw development while maintaining the airway for the best possible breathing outcome.

Invisalign

Many teens and adults prefer Invisalign over traditional braces. Invisalign’s appliance systems are transparent, medical-grade plastic aligners that help move teeth and gently correct minor bite issues. In addition to correcting esthetics and improving a patient's bite, the system is used for proper jaw development, which enhances the airway for better breathing. Invisalign aligners complete airway orthodontic treatment with comfort and discretion.

Advantages of Airway Orthodontics

• Treats the causes of crowded and crooked teeth
• Focuses on expanding the jaws to create more room for the teeth
• Less invasive than traditional orthodontics, with fewer extractions and no surgeries
• Opens the airway and helps prevent TMJ issues
• Early treatment can prevent breathing, sleep, and attention problems later in life
• Adult treatment can be highly effective in reducing symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea and sleep disturbances

Frequently Asked Questions About Airway Orthodontics

Who is a good candidate for airway orthodontics?

Airway orthodontics treatment can begin at any age and is effective in adults and children. Patients with known breathing and sleep issues should discuss them with their dentist and primary care physician.

How can airway orthodontics improve oral and overall health?

Airway orthodontics can have far-reaching effects on your oral and overall health. The treatment can improve respiratory health and combat obstructive sleep apnea. It helps patients sleep better, improving their daily lives. Treating obstructive sleep apnea leads to lower rates of high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease.

Airway orthodontics can also substantially impact oral health. Straighter teeth are easier to clean, lowering gum disease and tooth decay rates. Mouth breathing can lead to bad breath, dry mouth, and tooth decay in children.

An underdeveloped jaw can also lead to low self-esteem in children and adults. Airway orthodontics can promote a more symmetrical smile.

Call Dental Partners of Vero Beach

Airway Orthodontics can not only correct the appearance of your smile but it treats vital health issues below the surface. If you or your child experience problematic breathing and sleep symptoms, airway orthodontics may help. Please call 772-569-4118 today to schedule a consultation.