Do you have difficulty breathing freely? Sleep apnea is a condition in which the sleeper’s airways are repeatedly blocked or collapse during the night. This can lead to insufficient oxygen levels in the blood, leaving you feeling tired, cranky, and confused during the day.
The airway system is composed of a complex network of muscles, tendons, and ligaments. A properly aligned jaw and teeth play a significant role in sustaining a clear airway. Orthodontic treatments from Dr. Kelley Mingus often help in the correction of airway issues and the relief of certain symptoms associated with sleep apnea.
About Sleep Apnea
The term “sleep apnea” refers to an occasional interruption of breathing throughout the night. There are three types of sleep apnea: obstructive, central, and complex. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common and is often related to an anatomical problem, such as a deviated septum or a narrow airway.
During an episode of sleep apnea, the muscles of the upper airway relax, which causes the throat to collapse. The airway becomes blocked, depriving the brain of oxygen. This can disrupt sleep, causing you to feel tired or fatigued the following day, and can also increase the risk for chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Obesity, aging, and certain medical conditions such as hypertension and cognitive impairment can also contribute to a higher risk of developing sleep apnea.
Orthodontics and Airway Development
The catylastic airway is responsible for both breathing and chewing, which is one of the reasons some orthodondists, like Dr. Kelley Mingus, focus on airway development as their main goal. The teeth, tongue, palate, and nasal airways all work together to clear the airway. Any deviation from their normal anatomical position can hinder their function and lead to chronic airway obstruction.
A misaligned jaw can impede airway development, with the most common example being a retrognathic mandible that forces the tongue to fall back and obstruct the airway. Other major airway issues that orthodontists help to intercept include chronic mouth breathing, palatal issues, and enlarged adenoids and tonsils.
Orthodontics is not just about straightening teeth, it is about determining the best position for the teeth and aligning the jaw properly. This is an important part of correcting airway development and improving airway function overall.
Orthodontic Treatments for Airway Obstructions
Dr. Kelley Mingus can help to intercept and correct airway obstructions before they potentially become a problem. A somatic interpretation and a Vojta method are both used in our approach to address the needs of a patient with airway-related issues. Vistascan and T-scan technology can determine the exact forces exerted on the teeth, TMJs and overall oral and facial health by detecting how the teeth fit together and radiographical imaging helps to assess the overall structure of the airway and jaw.
While some of our orthodontic treatments may seem similar to those used in traditional orthodontics, our team of specialists often use smaller forces and a variety of newer technologies to improve airway health. In some cases, devices such as palatal expanders may be required to help align the jaw and to improve air passage.
Conclusion
It is important to have your airway assessed by an experienced sleep laryngologist and to seek the advice of an orthodontist if there is a concern regarding your airway. With the various tools provided by Dr. Kelley Mingus and the focus on airway development, we can help intercept airway deficiencies before they become an issue. Investment in orthodontic treatments may lead to improved quality of life for many individuals suffering from sleep apnea and airway congestion. Don’t let airway obstructions negatively impact your life, contact Dr. Kelley Mingus today!