Should I See an Orthodontist for My Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea affects about 30 million people in America. It can lead to a range of health issues, from fatigue and headaches in adults to behavioral problems and trouble focusing in kids.

If you or your child is struggling with sleep apnea, you might wonder what to do about it. Maybe you’ve heard that an orthodontist can help. As holistic orthodontists and innovative bite correction experts, Foundations Orthodontics focuses on addressing the entire oral and facial system — for both aesthetic and health benefits. In other words, orthodontic treatment with us is more than achieving straight teeth. It’s also about a strong, functional, and stable oral system that contributes to your overall well-being. This includes the functioning of your airway.

That’s why our board-certified orthodontists, Dr. Moran and Dr. White, offer airway treatment orthodontics tailored to our patients’ needs. We believe that a healthy bite and a clear airway are essential for overall well-being — especially for kids who are still growing and developing!

A Little Background About Sleep Apnea

Did you know that there are three types of sleep apnea? The one we’ll focus on here—and the one that can be improved by airway treatment—is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This is when muscles in the back of the throat intermittently relax and interrupt the airway. OSA is the type of sleep apnea you have when the airway becomes blocked during sleep, causing breathing to stop and start repeatedly. It can lead to fragmented sleep and decreased blood oxygen levels to the brain. This can happen in both adults and children.

Do you notice your child's mouth breathing when they sleep? Do you hear snoring or notice your child has periods of quiet, then a big snorting or gasping of air? Those are symptoms of sleep apnea.

How Orthodontics Can Help

How can airway orthodontics play a role in alleviating obstructive sleep apnea? At Foundations Orthodontics, our airway treatment uses orthodontic techniques and appliances to align the jaws and open up the palate. Airway-focused orthodontics addresses the entire mouth and jaw structure to improve breathing and overall health. We focus on creating harmony among the teeth, bite, jaw joints, tongue position and facial structure so any part of the oral system does not obstruct the airway.

Maxillary Expansion for Airway Treatment

One orthodontic treatment for sleep apnea is maxillary expansion. This technique involves using an orthodontic expander to widen the upper jaw (maxilla) and palate, which is essentially the floor of the nose, with the goal of creating more space in the airway. 

A palatal expander is typically recommended for children because the right and left sides of their upper jaw aren’t fused yet, therefore, it expands easily at this young age. For patients in their mid-teens and early 20s, we may suggest a mini-implant-supported expander, and for older adults, maxillary expansion treatment may include surgery to open up the upper jaw midline and help appliances correct more effectively.

Bite Correction For An Overbite To Help Alleviate Sleep Apnea

It’s normal for the upper teeth to overlap the lower teeth a little bit. However, a problematic overbite (or overjet) occurs when the lower teeth are set back too far compared to the upper teeth. This bite can contribute to sleep apnea because the lower jaw is positioned toward the throat, narrowing the airway. In contrast, orthodontics that align the bite can address an overbite/overjet and help with sleep apnea by helping promote lower jaw growth.

The Role of Braces in Sleep Apnea Treatment

So now you might wonder, "Can braces help sleep apnea?" The answer is yes. Braces can be an essential part of a comprehensive obstructed airway treatment plan. By realigning the teeth and jaws, braces can help open the airway, creating a more forward position for the tongue and so it doesn’t obstruct the airway when relaxed. 

At Foundations Orthodontics, we offer LightForce custom ceramic braces  and Angel Aligners™ for both kids and adults. At your consultation, Dr. Moran or Dr. White will discuss which type of appliance works best for your airway orthodontics treatment, lifestyle, and budget.

And What Is The Treatment For Severe Airway Obstruction? 

For severe cases of airway obstruction, we may recommend multi-step obstructed airway treatment. For example, we may start with an orthodontic expander to open up the palate and then move to braces and possibly even double jaw advancement surgery. Whether your airway treatment and sleep apnea could benefit from one technique or a combination, you can be sure that you’re in expert hands with Dr. Moran and Dr. White and you’ll receive personalized treatment designed just for you.

Airway Treatment with Your Denver Orthodontists

If you’re suffering from sleep apnea, seeing an orthodontist could be crucial for finding relief. At Foundations Orthodontics, our airway obstruction treatment can help you breathe easier and sleep better. 

Schedule a consultation at our Centennial, Denver, Winter Park or Granby office to learn how airway orthodontics can help you or your child find relief from sleep apnea and achieve healthier, more restful sleep.

Renee Moran