Airway/Sleep Apnea, Jaw Surgery
Why We Look at Airway
Throughout your entire life, your jaw structure development will impact the health of your airway, teeth, and tongue posture. Did you know that healthy breathing requires breathing through your nose? When anatomical variations are present in the nasal passageway, jaw structure, or tongue posture, improper breathing or sleep disturbances can develop. There can be major impacts on your health and quality of life for you or your child.
At aligned. Orthodontics, we offer airway evaluations for children and adults. During airway evaluations we will take and review diagnostic records, including a CBCT scan, photos, and an intraoral scan. Dr. Vanderstelt will then review and discuss any concerns with you related to the jaws, teeth, and airway, along with treatment solutions to address these issues.
Pediatric Airway Health
Airway health is closely linked to jaw development, breathing patterns, and overall well-being. At aligned. Orthodontics, our airway consultations focus on assessing the structure of the jaw, nasal passageway, and soft tissue (tonsils, adenoids, turbinates, tongue function) to identify potential issues like a restricted airway or poor breathing patterns, which can contribute to sleep-disordered breathing and dental crowding. By addressing these concerns early, we can guide proper growth, improve breathing, and reduce the risk of future complications or irreversible changes. Early intervention through orthodontics can help ensure optimal development of the airway and jaws, promoting better sleep and overall health for your child.
Does your child have any of these symptoms?
Common early signs and symptoms of airway issues include:
- Mouth breathing
- Snoring and noisy breathing during sleep
- Frequent waking or restless sleep
- Bedwetting beyond an appropriate age
- Dark circles under eyes
- Trouble focusing or hyperactivity during the day
Treatments that Address Airway in Children
Palatal Expansion: Widening the upper jaw improves nasal breathing, more oxygen is absorbed, air is more filtered and moisturized, and it creates more room for teeth.
Facemask Therapy: Used to bring the upper jaw forward, improving jaw alignment and airway function.
Orthopedic Appliances: Devices designed to guide the growth and development of the jaws to ensure proper airway space and improved bite.
Interdisciplinary Medical Treatments: Collaboration with ENT specialists to address nasal and throat obstructions (tonsils, adenoids, turbinates) and myofunctional therapists to improve tongue posture and oral muscle function for better breathing.
Airway Consultations for Children
60-Minute Airway Consultation — Complimentary for patients 15 years old and younger.
During this comprehensive evaluation, we take and review diagnostic records, including a CBCT scan, photos, and an intraoral scan. Dr. Vanderstelt will then discuss any concerns related to the jaws, teeth, and airways, and potential treatment solutions to address these issues.
Adult Airway Health
In adults, airway issues and obstructive sleep apnea are often connected to underdeveloped jaws and narrow airways, which can easily collapse or constrict during sleep. This is often combined with narrow nasal passages, making it hard to breathe through the nose, both while awake and asleep. At aligned. Orthodontics, our airway consultations for patients 16 and older assess the jaw structure, airway, and soft tissues to identify underlying causes of sleep apnea, breathing difficulties, and associated health concerns. While the jaws are fully formed in adults, orthodontic treatment can still significantly improve airway function, sleep quality, and overall well-being by addressing the underlying jaw structure, soft tissue, and bite issues that affect airflow. Proper treatment can alleviate symptoms and promote healthier breathing patterns, even after growth has ceased.
If you think you might have sleep apnea, it’s a good idea to undergo a sleep study before your orthodontic consultation. This can help with diagnosis and determine whether orthodontic or surgical options are right for you.
Do you have any of these symptoms?
Common signs of airway issues and sleep apnea:
- Loud snoring or gasping for air during sleep
- Chronic fatigue or daytime sleepiness
- Frequent headaches or migraines, especially in the morning
- Difficulty concentrating or memory issues
- Jaw pain or tension, often linked to clenching or grinding
- Dry mouth or sore throat upon waking
- Waking up frequently during the night, often due to difficulty breathing
- Acid reflux
Orthodontic Treatments that Address Airway Issues in Adults
MARPE (Miniscrew Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion): Expands the upper jaw in adults to increase nasal airway volume and improve breathing.
Jaw Surgery (Orthognathic Surgery): Surgical widening of the upper jaw or advancement of the upper, lower, or both jaws to correct proportions, increase airway volume, and idealize the bite and facial profile.
Broadening Arch Forms with Braces and Aligners: Expands the dental arches for improved bite and facial aesthetic, though it does not change the airway volume directly, rather opens room for your tongue to spread out rather than pushing back into your airway.
Airway, Sleep Apnea, or Jaw Surgery Consultation for Adults (16 and older)
Adult airway consultations are $250 and include the following:
20-Minute Records Appointment— During your first visit, you will meet with our Treatment Coordinator, and we will take records, including a CBCT scan, photos, and an intraoral scan.
40-Minute Follow-Up Visit— During your second visit, Dr. Vanderstelt will provide an in-depth review of your diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan. This visit offers a deeper focus on airway issues and orthodontic treatments for jaw structure than our complimentary consultation.