Airway Orthodontics
Many individuals suffering from sleep apnea have internal airway issues, particularly in the oral cavity, that traditional forms of treatment simply can’t address. Airway orthodontics kills two birds with one stone by addressing both your aesthetic dental issues while also reshaping the inside of your airway for improved breathing. Get a great smile and get back to a good night’s sleep with a complete round of treatment.
What is Airway Orthodontics?
Airway orthodontics is a specialized approach to orthodontic treatment that considers the relationship between the airway and the development and alignment of the teeth and jaws. It recognizes the significant impact that the airway can have on overall health and aims to improve both dental and respiratory function.
The concept behind airway-focused orthodontics is that certain structural abnormalities, such as narrow dental arches, overcrowded teeth, or misaligned jaws, can contribute to restricted breathing and compromised airflow. These issues can lead to sleep-disordered breathing conditions like snoring, sleep apnea, and other health problems.
Traditional orthodontics primarily focuses on straightening teeth and achieving an aesthetic smile. But orthodontics for the airway takes a more comprehensive approach by considering the interplay between the airway, facial growth, and dental occlusion (a.k.a. your bite). It aims to address the underlying causes of airway obstruction and improve the overall balance and harmony of the face and jaws.
The treatment in airway orthodontics typically involves a combination of orthodontic techniques and interdisciplinary collaboration with other healthcare professionals. Dr. Hana Khan, our resident expert in airway orthodontics, works closely with specialists such as sleep medicine physicians, ENT doctors, and myofunctional therapists to diagnose and manage your airway-related issues.
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Components of Airway Orthodontics
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Diagnosis and evaluation
Airway-focused orthodontics begins with a comprehensive evaluation of the patient's airway, facial structure, dental occlusion, and breathing patterns. This may involve the use of various diagnostic tools such as cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), cephalometric X-rays, and sleep studies. -
Treatment planning
Based on the evaluation, a personalized treatment plan is developed. The aim is to optimize the growth and development of the face and jaws while improving the patient's breathing and overall health. Treatment may involve a combination of orthodontic appliances, myofunctional therapy exercises, and, in some cases, collaboration with other specialists for surgical or medical interventions. -
Orthodontic appliances
Airway orthodontics may utilize specific orthodontic appliances designed to promote proper facial growth and improve airway function. These appliances can help widen the dental arches, correct jaw relationships, and improve nasal breathing. Examples include palatal expanders, functional appliances, and orthopedic growth appliances. -
Myofunctional therapy
Myofunctional therapy involves exercises that target the muscles of the face, tongue, and throat to improve swallowing, tongue posture, and overall orofacial function. Myofunctional therapy is often integrated with airway orthodontic treatment to address oral habits and improve the balance of oral muscles. -
Follow-up and monitoring
Regular follow-up appointments are necessary to monitor the progress of treatment, make adjustments to appliances, and ensure the patient's airway health is improving. Collaboration with other healthcare professionals may continue throughout the treatment process.
Airway-Centered Orthodontics in Flower Mound
Airway orthodontics is an evolving field that recognizes the importance of the airway in overall health and well-being. By addressing airway-related issues, orthodontists trained in airway-focused techniques aim to improve not only the quality of your smile but also the quality of your breathing and overall systemic health.
Why choose us over traditional orthodontics? At TMJ and Sleep Therapy Centre of North Texas, we believe that achieving a great smile is just one aspect of orthodontic treatment. We go beyond aesthetics and prioritize your overall well-being, aiming to provide you or your child with the opportunity for a healthy and pain-free life. Our approach involves a thorough and thoughtful analysis of your anatomy, breathing patterns, physiology, and neurology, ensuring that we create the most effective treatment plan. Unlike traditional orthodontics, where the focus is primarily on straightening teeth and improving smiles, we recognize the importance of addressing skeletal changes that may be necessary. Our treatment plans consider not only proper breathing but also enhancements in posture, spine alignment, neurological balance, and muscle function. By prioritizing whole-body wellness, we aim to optimize brain function and promote your overall health.
Many adults believe that their orthodontic choices are limited because their facial structure is no longer growing. They may also think that certain corrections they desire are no longer achievable. Whether you’ve experienced relapse from previous orthodontic treatment or were dissatisfied with the results, Dr. Hana Khan offers refined techniques that can address skeletal and airway deficiencies, even in non-growing patients. Through these innovative methods, we can stimulate new bone growth and enhance both facial aesthetics and your dazzling smile, even in adulthood. Additionally, for those seeking more discreet options, clear or tooth-colored braces are available.
Dr. Hana is also certified in techniques such as Invisalign, providing further flexibility for simpler dental corrections. If you have experienced minor tooth shifting after previous orthodontic treatment or misplaced your retainers, Dr. Hana can assess your smile and suggest simpler alternatives to resolve cosmetic and hygiene concerns.
Contact Us
Interested in learning if you’re a candidate for airway orthodontics to treat your sleep apnea? Contact us today to learn more.