What Is Airway Orthodontics?

At Buena Vista Orthodontics, we utilize cutting edge orthodontic treatment to straighten crooked teeth, align misaligned jaws, and improve the overall beauty of our patients’ smiles. Additionally, we consider the patient’s airway and breathing as that is a vital part of health! Airway orthodontics—a specialized branch of orthodontics—involves strategizing ways to address breathing difficulties and improve sleep quality in conjunction with orthodontic treatment. Airway orthodontics focuses on improving breathing and airway function while straightening teeth and aligning the jaw. This method considers how the position of teeth, jaw development, and oral structures affect airway space and breathing patterns, particularly during sleep. Treatment often involves expanding the palate, advancing the jaw, or using specific appliances to create more room for the tongue and improve overall respiratory health alongside traditional orthodontic goals.

What are sleep breathing disorders or Sleep Apnea and how do Adults know if they have this?

Sleep apnea often goes undiagnosed because many symptoms happen while you’re sleeping or feel like other common problems. The most obvious sign is loud, chronic snoring followed by periods of silence where you stop breathing, then gasping or choking sounds as you start breathing again – though a partner usually notices this more than you do.

What you might feel during the day: Waking up exhausted even after a full night’s sleep, morning headaches, difficulty concentrating or remembering things, falling asleep during quiet activities like watching TV, reading, driving, and feeling irritable or depressed. Many people also wake up with a very dry mouth or sore throat.

What happens at night: Frequent trips to the bathroom, tossing and turning, grinding your teeth, or waking up feeling like you’re choking or can’t catch your breath. Some people wake up sweating or with their heart racing. . A sleep study is the only way to get a definitive diagnosis.

How do Parents know if a Child is having airway or Sleep breathing disorders like Sleep Apnea?

Nighttime signs: Children may snore loudly, breathe through their mouth, toss and turn restlessly, sweat excessively while sleeping, or have frequent nightmares and bedwetting past the typical age. Daytime symptoms: Chronic tiredness, difficulty waking up in the morning, hyperactivity or attention problems (often misdiagnosed as ADHD), mood swings, and poor school performance or concentration issues.

Physical signs: Mouth breathing during the day, dark circles under their eyes, frequent colds or ear infections, and poor appetite or slow growth compared to peers. Why it’s often missed: Parents may think snoring is cute or normal, and daytime symptoms like hyperactivity or poor focus are often attributed to behavioral issues rather than sleep problems, leading to missed diagnoses.

After

Addressing Airway Disorders Through Orthodontics

At your initial evaluation and throughout treatment, let the doctors know if you feel that you are having airway or sleep breathing issues. During your initial airway or orthodontics consultation, we will go over your overall health history and do a clinical exam. If needed, we will recommend will necessary records or imaging or referrals. X-rays, 3D imaging and other records may be ordered to further identify the root causes of airway problems. After this evaluation, we will create your personalized treatment plan so you have the chance to breathe easier!

What Sets Us Apart

• Over 30 years of experience and 10,000+ smiles treated
• Advanced technology for precise, faster results
• Clear, esthetic metal braces options (including soft silver and champagne colored braces), Pitts and Damon braces.
• Platinum Provider of Invisalign®
• Welcoming, Comfortable, modern office environment with state of the art sterilization procedures
• Compassionate care and tailored treatment plans