Does counting sheep put you to sleep, but you still wake up feeling drained? When it comes to achieving restful sleep, falling asleep is only half the battle. Sometimes, the real issue lies in how well your body rests once you’re asleep, and conditions like sleep apnea can interfere with that process. To help solve the problem, we offer various sleep apnea orthodontic solutions. These treatments improve airflow and address the root causes of poor sleep, helping you breathe easier throughout the night.
The Surprising Relationship Between Orthodontics and Sleep
When you think of orthodontics, is the first thing that comes to mind braces? If so, it may be surprising to hear that an orthodontist can treat sleep apnea and improve the quality of your sleep.
But think of your jaw as a gateway to better sleep. Just as a door needs to open for a breeze to flow through, the position of your jaw impacts your airway’s ability to stay open. When the jaw restricts airflow during sleep, it can lead to conditions like obstructive sleep apnea.
In particular, a recessed lower jaw doesn’t keep the tongue forward enough, so when your throat muscles relax at night, the tongue and soft tissues can fall back, temporarily blocking airflow to your lungs. Over the course of the night, this might happen hundreds of times. These breathing pauses reduce the amount of oxygen you take in and worsen the quality of your sleep. As a result, you may wake up feeling groggy and unrested.
Your jaw structure can also narrow the airway or restrict the nasal cavity, increasing the chances of snoring and breathing pauses. When bone structure contributes to sleep apnea, orthodontic treatment can help create more space and better airflow.
Treating sleep apnea through orthodontics is part of a growing field known as dental sleep medicine. At our practice, we’re proud to offer this specialized care and want you to understand how orthodontic treatment can support better sleep. improve airflow. When you come to any of our offices for a free consultation, we’ll evaluate how your unique facial structure may be affecting your breathing and determine whether treatment can help keep your airway open throughout the night.
Types of Orthodontic Solutions for Sleep Apnea
Is your jaw structure the culprit behind your sleep apnea? Rest assured, we have an arsenal of treatment options at the ready! With orthodontic intervention, we can help improve your sleep and stop disrupted slumber at the source.
For instance, if you have an overbite, we may move your jaw forward to enlarge your airway. Mandibular advancement devices are a common solution for advancing the lower jaw, helping patients improve their health and overcome sleepiness. They’re an effective alternative to CPAP machines that many patients often find easier to tolerate.
Another possibility is that your upper jaw is too narrow, which can limit airflow through the nasal passages. In that case, we might recommend a palatal expander to gently widen the upper jaw and improve breathing.
Whenever possible, we recommend early intervention to take advantage of a child’s natural growth cycle and guide correction as the jawbone grows. When adults come in for orthodontic treatment, their bone structure is more solidified. This means it’s harder to use less-invasive interventions like orthodontic devices. However, we can still treat obstructive sleep apnea with surgical intervention if necessary, opening your airway by surgically changing the position of your jaw.
Sleep apnea might be wreaking havoc on your rest, but at Orthodontists Associates of WNY, we pride ourselves on our knowledge of the relationship between sleep and orthodontic treatments. After evaluating your unique needs, we’ll recommend the most effective and least invasive treatment options to help manage your sleep apnea. With the right care, you can look forward to going to bed and waking up feeling truly refreshed!
Learn More About Sleep Apnea Orthodontic Solutions
Nothing beats a good night’s rest, but sleep apnea might be doing its best to try! At Orthodontists Associates of WNY, we understand the various ways your jaw structure can contribute to sleep apnea. With our custom orthodontic interventions, we can help you breathe easier at night and experience more restful, uninterrupted sleep.
Your trust matters to us, which is why we don’t charge for appointments until treatment begins. Schedule a free consultation at any of our many offices across the region. We have locations in Buffalo, Hamburg, Lancaster, Niagara Falls, Olean, Orchard Park, Dunkirk, and East Aurora.
