Orthodontics for Sleep Apnea
Do you or a loved one have trouble sleeping, or constantly wake up short of breath in the middle of the night? This could be a serious condition called sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can be a very dangerous medical issue that can have profound effects on your health. In this video, experienced Buffalo orthodontist Dr. Steven J. Hietanen explains how orthodontics for sleep apnea can help resolve airway obstructions and help you get a better nights sleep. If you are considering orthodontic care for yourself or a loved one, please contact our office today to arrange a free Orthodontists Associates of WNY consultation.
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- When evaluating a patient for orthodontic treatment, we can often identify airway obstructions that contribute to other problems. Because the upper jaw is connected to the nasal cavity, our treatments can increase the width of the upper jaw. As a result, this will decrease resistance in nasal airflow. We might also consider the horizontal relationships between the jaws because treatments that bring jaws forward can enlarge an airway.
- When our youngest patients come in, we prefer to keep our approach to their treatment conservative. We also try to protect the airway rather than restrict it. These corrections are much harder to make on adult patients. If an adult patient has problems with sleep apnea, while orthodontics help them, other measures may also be necessary. Many adult patients could benefit from a surgical intervention that brings their jaws forward, further opening their airways.
- Future orthodontists may be asked to do these types of things more frequently because sleep apnea, or airway obstructions, or breathing problems while sleeping have become a rampant problem in the United States. Not only that, but it has also become a billion-dollar industry. Moving forward, orthodontists should be more concerned with making sure we’re not contributing to those problems.
Orthodontists Associates of Western New York is proud to offer braces for all ages throughout Buffalo, Lancaster, Olean, Hamburg, Orchard Park, and Dunkirk, East Aurora, and Niagara Falls New York. If you are considering orthodontic treatment for yourself or a loved one, please contact one of our 7 convenient orthodontic offices to arrange a free consultation.
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At Orthodontists Associates of Western New York, our reputation as a leader in orthodontic care is based on one thing… Making a Healthy and Beautiful Smile