Airway Orthodontics

At Innovative Orthodontics, we believe a beautiful smile is just the beginning. True oral health goes deeper, connecting the structure of your mouth and jaw to your overall well-being.

Airway orthodontics is a specialized approach that focuses on the relationship between your oral anatomy and your ability to breathe properly, both day and night. Our goal is to create not only straight teeth but also a healthy, open airway for a lifetime of better health.

We combine our orthodontic expertise with a deep understanding of facial and airway development. Dr. Spence and our dedicated team are committed to providing comprehensive, airway-focused treatment that can make a profound difference in your or your child’s quality of life.

Understanding the Connection Between Your Smile and Your Airway

The way your jaw and teeth develop has a direct impact on the size and shape of your airway. When the jaw is underdeveloped or teeth are misaligned, it can lead to a narrowed airway. This restriction can cause a range of issues, from minor snoring to more serious conditions collectively known as sleep-disordered breathing.

Airway orthodontics aims to address the root cause of these problems. By guiding the growth of the jaw and aligning the teeth, we can help create a more open and stable airway, promoting healthier breathing patterns and contributing to better sleep and overall health.

What is Sleep-Disordered Breathing?

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is a term for a group of conditions where breathing is partially or completely obstructed during sleep. This can range from habitual snoring to more severe issues like sleep apnea. While many people associate these problems with adults, they are surprisingly common in children and can significantly impact their development and daily life.

Symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing can include:

Loud, habitual snoring
Pauses in breathing during sleep (apnea)
Mouth breathing, both while awake and asleep
Restless sleep, tossing and turning
Bedwetting
Daytime sleepiness or hyperactivity
Difficulty concentrating in school (often misdiagnosed as ADHD)

An airway-focused treatment plan can be a crucial step in managing and correcting the underlying structural issues that contribute to SDB.

Our Approach to Airway-Focused Treatment

At Innovative Orthodontics, your journey begins with a comprehensive evaluation. We go beyond just looking at your teeth. Using advanced diagnostic tools, including 3D imaging, we assess your jaw structure, facial development, and airway. This detailed analysis allows us to determine if an airway issue is present and create a personalized treatment plan.

Our airway orthodontics treatment may involve:

Palatal Expansion: For growing children, a palatal expander can be used to gently widen the upper jaw. This creates more space for teeth and, just as importantly, widens the nasal passages, improving nasal breathing.
Dentofacial Orthopedics: We use specialized appliances to guide the growth of the jaw in younger patients, promoting a healthy facial profile and ensuring an open airway.
Customized Orthodontics: We use braces or Invisalign in conjunction with airway-focused techniques to align teeth in a way that supports proper jaw position and airway function.

Our team collaborates closely with other healthcare professionals, such as ENTs and sleep medicine specialists, to ensure you receive integrated and comprehensive care.

Who Can Benefit from Airway Orthodontics?

Both children and adults can benefit from an airway orthodontic evaluation.

For Children: Early intervention is key. An evaluation around age seven allows us to identify potential airway issues and guide jaw growth during a critical developmental period. This proactive approach can prevent more complex problems from developing later in life and has been shown to improve symptoms associated with sleep-disordered breathing.

For Adults: Many adults who suffer from snoring, jaw pain (TMD), or diagnosed sleep apnea may have underlying structural issues. An airway-focused treatment can help improve symptoms, enhance the effectiveness of other therapies like CPAP, and contribute to better overall health.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between traditional orthodontics and airway orthodontics?

While traditional orthodontics primarily focuses on straightening teeth and correcting bite issues, airway orthodontics takes a broader view. It considers how the teeth, jaws, and facial structures impact the airway and breathing. The goal is to create a beautiful, functional smile that also supports a healthy, open airway.

Is my child's snoring a problem?

Habitual snoring in children is not normal and is often a sign of an underlying breathing issue. It can indicate a narrowed airway and may be linked to sleep-disordered breathing. An airway evaluation with our team can help determine the cause and whether an airway-focused treatment is needed.

Can airway orthodontics cure sleep apnea?

Airway orthodontics can be a critical part of a comprehensive treatment plan for sleep apnea. By expanding the jaws and creating a more open airway, it addresses the anatomical root causes of obstruction. We work with sleep physicians to coordinate care and help patients achieve the best possible outcomes. For some, it can significantly reduce or even resolve symptoms.

Will my insurance cover airway orthodontics?

Coverage can vary depending on your specific dental and medical insurance plans. Our team is here to help you navigate your benefits. We will verify your coverage and discuss all financial options with you during your complimentary consultation to ensure your treatment fits your budget.