At Robert Stoner Orthodontics, we deploy orthodontic treatment to straighten and align teeth, improve bite, and improve appearance. However, we also use a special branch of orthodontics, called airway orthodontics, to correct breathing anomalies and improve sleep quality.
A healthy airway is important for oral and facial development. Uncovering the underlying causes of the problem instead of treating symptoms is the best way to achieve permanent relief. At Robert Stoner Orthodontics, we work with all kinds of patients in need of airway orthodontics treatment, from adults to young children.
What Is Airway Orthodontics?
Airway Orthodontics is an aspect of orthodontic care that addresses the underlying causes of obstructed breathing. The focus is to ensure you or your child can breathe properly without little or no effort.
Airway obstruction affects swallowing, posture, tongue placement, and the appearance of the teeth and jaw.
In airway orthodontics, a team of professionals works together to uncover the cause(s) of breathing obstruction and map out a treatment plan. At Robert Stoner Orthodontics, our airway orthodontics team includes an ENT specialist, a speech therapist, and an orthodontist. The insight from each of these professionals will help solve your breathing problems.
Quality airway orthodontics treatment doesn’t just correct sleep-disordered breathing and obstructive sleep apnea. It also ensures proper jaw development, thus reducing or eliminating orthodontic and health complications.
What Is Sleep Disordered Breathing?
Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) encapsulates all breathing difficulties that occur during sleep. SDB comes in different forms, including frequent loud snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a disorder where the upper airway repeatedly collapses during sleep. It is the most common SDB, affecting more than 18 million American adults and 5% of children.
During OSA, the muscles supporting the soft palate and the tongue relax, causing the airways to narrow or close up. This leads to a temporary pause in breathing.
Common symptoms of OSA include:
- Snoring
- Restless sleep
- Narrow jaws
- Swollen tonsils
- Mouth breathing
- Daytime drowsiness
Treating Airway Disorders with Orthodontic Procedures
At Robert Stoner Orthodontics, we do more than straightening teeth for our clients battling airway disorders. We provide a holistic treatment that incorporates industry-leading approaches to treating airway blockages and sleep disorders.
We analyze nasal passages, sinuses, jaw development, and facial structural alignment. Our integrative orthodontics approach increases the chance of permanent relief.
Treatment plans that hinge heavily on using anti-snoring devices are effective, but they are often not enough. These plans don’t address the underlying cause of SDB or OSA. Combining these devices with approaches such as frenectomy and other treatments for narrow palates, arches expansion, and more will yield better results.
During your first airway orthodontics consultation, we will evaluate your oral structure and facial muscles through X-rays, 3D imaging, and visual inspections to establish the underlying causes of SDB and OSA. After the consultation, we’ll create your personalized treatment plan.
The treatment plan will span a few weeks to a few months depending on the diagnosis.