What is airway dentistry?

What is airway dentistry?

The breathing air supplies the oxygen which needed by the body to survive, thrive, and function optimally. When the body does not get enough oxygen, it can be detrimental to overall health and quality of life.

Airway dentistry is a relatively new and growing field that focuses on the mouth (the jaw and palate) structure and how that impacts person's breathing. Sleep-disordered breathing can be identified by looking for signs of mouth breathing when person is sleeping. Airway dentists look for tooth wear, the position of the tongue and the condition of the soft tissue in the mouth. Airway dentistry addresses a plethora of oral issues that impact breathing and mainly sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea. Besides correcting sleep disorders, airway dentistry also seeks to improve overall health and lifestyle.

The key approach of the airway dentistry is using a range of therapies or treatments such as oral appliances, orthodontics and other minimally invasive dental treatments to resolve the airway structure problems to restore better breathing and sleep.

Why does person need airway dentistry?

Some common signs when person needs treatment of airway dentistry are:

•  If person has sleep apnea

•  If person is snoring loud at almost al nights

•  If person is repeatedly gasping for air at night

•  If person is a mouth or chest breather

•  If person is not getting restful sleep frequently

•  If person is tired during the day time frequently

•  If person has morning headaches frequently

•  If person has chronic fatigue syndrome

•  If person is concerned about the wellness of the teeth and health

How is airway dentistry performed?

Various advanced technologies, approaches and therapies are used in airway dentistry depending on the type and severity health conditions. These treatments can include:

Different systems and approaches can help resolve sleep apnea. It depends on the severity and nature of your condition. Treatment generally consists of protocols that can help strengthen the oral muscles, targeting the lips, tongue, jaw, dental arches, and airways.

Cone-beam CT (CBCT):  This scan is used to assess the airway, TMJ and nasal cavity.

Digital Scanning:  This scan is used to evaluate the size of the arches in the mouth and the amount of tooth structure lost.

Digital x-ray:  This scan is used to evaluate the tooth and supporting areas.

Pulse oximeter:  A high-resolution pulse oximeter is used to evaluate your sleep quality. Capnometry to evaluate your breathing.

Oral devices for obstructive sleep apena:  Oral devices are one of the noninvasive treatment option for people with certain anatomical features and less severe obstructive sleepa apnea (OSA). Various types of mouthpieces are available to wear while sleeping. These devices can help hold the jaw and tongue in a specific position that keeps pressure off the windpipe. CPAP is more reliably effective than oral devices but oral devices might be easier and comfortable to use. These oral devices often do not improve breathing as much as PAP therapy but they can reduce snoring issue.

Remodeling mouth bones:  This appliance can target the bones in the mouth to encourage optimal orthopedic development. Its role is to gradually expand the jaws and dental arches to create ample space in the mouth for all oral features. The device helps comfortably accommodate the tongue by remodeling the facial and oral bones.