Adults also benefit from jaw expansion with clear aligners and expansive devices, Frenectomies, and Myofunctional Therapy. In addition to several treatments and procedures, custom-fitted dental sleep appliances may be recommended for individuals based on their needs.
Airway-centric dentists’ treatments and procedures are not just about immediate results but about providing long-term health benefits. Airway-centric dentists aim to improve the aesthetics of your smile and the functionality of your airway and jaws, contributing to your overall health and well-being.
Speak to your dentist to determine the right sleep and airway success treatment plan. To Find a Sleep and Airway Specialist near you, go to Airway Dentist Locator.
Early Intervention Orthodontic Appliances
Early intervention orthodontic treatment systems allow young patients to begin on their path to being the best version of themselves. These systems, Myobrace® and HealthyStart™ are recommended for children between the ages of 3 and 15. As an adjunct to be used in combination with traditional orthodontics or alone, these innovative orthodontic systems work to promote natural jaw growth, proper tongue placement resulting in airway expansion while moving crowded and crooked teeth into proper alignment. The early intervention systems work in conjunction while addressing sleep-disordered breathing, snoring, teeth grinding, and mouth breathing. These soft, comfortable devices are non-surgical, non-pharmaceutical, pain-free, non-invasive, and typically only worn at night.
Palatal Fixed and Removable Expanders
Palatal expanders are devices that are used for both adults and children based on their diagnosis and needs. They widen the upper and lower jaws to make room for crowded teeth by stimulating the mouth and jaw to grow properly. These expanders may be fixed or removable. Since the roof of the mouth is also the floor of the nose, the palatal expansion will increase nasal volume and increase the patient’s ability to breathe. Expanders are typically not used alone but in combination with other orthodontic appliances such as Invisalign, braces, or myofunctional appliances such as Myobrace or Healthystart.
Orthodontics
Carriere Brackets are traditional braces used in an expansive airway approach to straighten teeth. Braces are never used alone but in combination with fixed expanders. This system is typically used when compliance with a removable orthodontic system, such as Invisalign, is not possible or a child prefers the aesthetics of the traditional metal braces.
Invisalign™ Clear Aligners
Invisalign™ is a system of custom-made clear aligners that not only shift teeth into their proper position but can also expand the mouth and jaws at the same time. This treatment is used for a variety of esthetic, airway issues, and sleep disorders. Invisalign™ is popular with teens and adults looking for a discreet virtually invisible orthodontic system due to their thin clear plastic. The precise movements of each tooth are planned out after scanning the mouth, teeth, and smile. Aligner sets are worn a minimum of 22 hours each day. Approximately every two weeks new aligners are provided until a perfect smile and a healthy mouth are achieved. Not all Invisalign treatment is done the same as it is customized based on the specific doctors philosophy and training therefore when seeking treatment using Invisalign is in important to use a dentist with an expansive airway technique that will broaden the arches and make more room for the tongue instead of constricting. When done properly, no extractions or removal of tooth structure should be needed.
For additional information please go to https://www.invisalign.com/
Adult Sleep Appliance Therapy
Mandibular Advancement Appliances for nighttime are used to treat Mild to Moderate Sleep Apnea. These appliances are most successful for adults if moderate to mild obstructive sleep apnea has been diagnosed. To determine if these appliances are a good treatment option for you a comprehensive examination and diagnostic testing will be conducted. These customized appliances address numerous physical health issues including snoring. They work by pushing or pulling the lower jaw forward. The tongue is then kept in a position that will not block the airway. With the tongue in the proper location, airway obstructions may be significantly reduced and or eliminated for better breathing, little to no snoring, and a better night’s sleep.
For additional information please go to https://prosomnus.com/ and https://somnomed.com/en/
Frenectomies
How Can A Frenectomy Help Prevent Sleep Apnea and Breathing?
There are two types of oral frenums – one that connects your lips to your gums, and one that connects your tongue to the floor of your mouth. When a frenum is too short, thick or tight, movement and function are restricted. In children having a restricted lip or tongue may contribute to growth and development delays. Having a tight lip tie can put pressure on the upper jaw, holding it back and restricting its proper forward growth. Having a tight tongue tie prevents the tongue from moving properly. When a tongue is restricted, it is unable to put the proper pressure on the roof of the mouth (or palate) during development thus leading to a narrow or small upper jaw. With a small upper jaw, the lower jaw can get stuck inside making it narrow and retruded (back). This combination leads to underdeveloped jaws and a small home for that tongue in the mouth causing it to drop back and block the back of the throat. If the tongue obstructs the throat then it can cause snoring and even choking episodes at night (Obstructive Sleep Apnea/OSA). It is important to be evaluated by an airway trained Dentist or a Myofunctional therapist to evaluate if your tongue and/or lip is not only clinically tied but functionally restricting growth and contributing to muscle dysfunction. If the tongue or lip frenum needs to be adjusted, it can be performed through a minor surgical procedure using a laser. Dr. Schwibner uses the CO2 laser called the “light scalpel” to accomplish this.
At Foundation First Dentistry we believe that when it comes to airway health and proper jaw growth and development it is all about the tongue. Please read Dr. Schwibner’s articles that was published in the Florida Focus September 2023 journal for the Academy of General Dentistry: https://www.flagd.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Florida-Focus-Sept-2023-v.5.pdf
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Myofunctional Therapy
Oralfunctional Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) addresses disorders that interfere with the function of the muscles of the face and mouth in patients of all ages. It has been described as physical therapy for your mouth. They are trained to recognize, assess, and treat orofacial myofunctional disorders. Therapists work with patients to help with proper tongue placement, tongue positioning, swallowing, chewing, and breathing. Myofunctional therapists work closely with healthcare providers addressing the diagnosed issues and guiding them, many times before the start of treatment and after, through a comprehensive therapy plan to enhance the treatments of oral appliances, braces, and frenectomy procedures. For additional information go to https://myoair.com/
