101 Signs an Airway-Focused Dentist Could Help You With Your Poor Facial Growth or Sleep Issues
What is Airway Orthodontics?
Airway orthodontics is a relatively new and expanding branch of orthodontics that focuses on improving an individual’s airway by addressing any underlying problems with the jaw, teeth, or tongue position.
Airway Orthodontics aims to optimize the upper airway, allowing for proper breathing. Many patients experience tremendous improvements in symptoms related to sleep-disordered breathing, such as snoring and sleep apnea.
The courses of treatment often involve a combination of orthodontic appliances, such as braces or clear aligners, and orthopedic appliances, such as splints or functional orthopedic appliances, to reposition the jaw and enhance the airway. Because every case is unique, our dentist will provide you with a customized treatment plan that addresses your particular goals.
Airway Orthodontic Treatment
One of the very first questions patients ask when starting Airway treatment is how long it will take. We advise our patients that the length of airway orthodontic treatment can vary depending on the severity of the problem and the type of treatment we are using.
On average, treatment can last anywhere from 6 to 24 months. The more complex cases may take longer. Another determining factor of the length of treatment is the patient’s cooperation and compliance with wearing their appliances as prescribed.
For the most successful treatment, regular follow-up visits with our Airway Orthodontist are necessary so that we may monitor your progress and adjust the treatment as needed. Below we discuss one of the most common airway treatment offerings, the Myobrace System.
“Dr. Dawn uses a research-based, exceptionally effective approach to dentistry/orthodontia that I haven’t seen anywhere else. My spouse and I both had extensive orthodontia as children and young adults, so when I heard Dr. Dawn talk about her approach, I was intrigued enough to take my children for an evaluation. The techniques she uses have helped my children’s mouths (and bodies) grow appropriately. When things don’t go smoothly or as expected, Dr. Dawn has a seemingly limitless list of ideas and tools. I heartily recommend giving Dr. Dawn and her approach a try!”