Your Path to Optimal Breathing
Our comprehensive approach to orthodontic care includes evaluating and addressing airway issues to ensure optimal breathing function and promote overall health.
Let's explore the importance of airway screenings and the treatment options available to improve breathing function
Understanding Airway Issues
The airway refers to the passage through which air travels from the nose and mouth to the lungs. Issues with the airway can arise due to various factors, including:
- Nasal Obstruction: Blocked nasal passages can result from structural abnormalities, allergies, or other underlying conditions, making it difficult to breathe through the nose.
- Restricted Airways: Narrow airways, whether due to anatomical factors or soft tissue obstruction, can lead to restricted airflow during breathing.
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): OSA is a sleep disorder characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep, often due to a collapse of the airway.
The Impact of Airway Issues
Untreated airway issues can have significant implications for both oral health and overall well-being, including:
- Poor Sleep Quality: Airway issues such as OSA can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to daytime fatigue, irritability, and impaired cognitive function.
- Impaired Growth and Development: Chronic mouth breathing and restricted airflow can affect facial and dental development, leading to issues such as malocclusion (misaligned teeth) and narrow dental arches.
- Systemic Health Risks: Untreated airway issues have been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, and other systemic health conditions.
The Importance of Airway Screenings
At Bocklet Orthodontics, we prioritize airway screenings as part of our comprehensive orthodontic evaluation process. By assessing the function and structure of the airway, we can identify potential issues early on and implement appropriate interventions to optimize breathing function and promote overall health.
Treatment Options for Airway Issues
Depending on the nature and severity of the airway issue, treatment options may include:
Maxillary Expansion
Correcting a narrow upper jaw with maxillary expansion can drastically improve airway problems that are the result of a constricted nasal airway. We correct this problem in children with a rapid palatal expander and in adults we use either a MARPE or a SARPE procedure.
Myofunctional Therapy
Myofunctional therapy involves exercises and techniques designed to strengthen the muscles of the face, tongue, and throat, promoting proper breathing patterns and oral function.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Therapy:
For individuals diagnosed with OSA, CPAP therapy may be recommended to keep the airway open during sleep and prevent breathing interruptions.
Surgical Intervention
In severe cases of airway obstruction, surgical procedures may be necessary to address anatomical abnormalities or remove obstructions obstructing airflow.
Schedule Your Airway Screening Today
Ready to prioritize your breathing health and overall well-being? Schedule an airway screening with Bocklet Orthodontics today! Our experienced team will evaluate your airway function, discuss any concerns or symptoms you may have, and recommend personalized treatment options to improve breathing function and promote optimal health.
Take the first step towards better breathing and overall wellness with airway screenings and treatments at Bocklet Orthodontics. Contact us today and breathe easier tomorrow!