Airway Orthodontics

What is Airway Orthodontics?

For our practice, Orthodontics is a lot more than just straight teeth and a beautiful smile, we are focused on the overall long-term health of our patients. When a child presents with a crowded or crooked smile, this is a sign that the jaw is not growing properly. Certain oral habits and jaw deformities can lead to Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB). Airway Orthodontics refers to orthodontic treatment methods used to expand a patient’s airway in order to treat OSA and SDB.

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB)?

Obstructive Sleep Apnea occurs when the airway closes off sufficiently during sleep that breathing stops. Although the person may not actually wake, they are driven from deep restorative sleep to “catch their breath”. Once they begin to relax to the deeper levels of sleep, it happens all over again.

This is hard on the body – like running a race all night long. You wake up exhausted and unrested, but more importantly, prolonged levels of increased cortisol negatively affects the immune system, normal hormone production, insulin function, gastric acid production, learning and memory retrieval, and a host of other organs and body functions.

Symptoms of OSA & SDB

Causes

The most common and significant are:

• Obstructive tissues (enlarged tonsils, adenoids, turbinate bones (in the nose), deviated septum)
• Lack of room for the tongue (narrow jaw)

Treatment

• Growth-oriented Orthodontics (jaw expansion, advancement of upper and/or lower jaws to create room for the tongue and open the airway) rather than pulling teeth.
• Reduction of obstructive tissues (Remove Tonsils/Adenoids, allergy correction) under the care of an Ear Nose and Throat Doctor

When to Assess and Treat?

As soon as 7-8 years of age, or when the permanent upper front teeth erupt. Contact our office today for a free consultation.