Sleep apnea influences someone’s quality of life, resulting in long-term health issues. Despite its pervasiveness, effective treatments are often hard to find. Fortunately, recent advancements in orthodontic technology and science have brought revolutionary solutions for managing the effects of this condition: sleep smarter strategies. Through this post, you will learn more about the treatment for sleep apnea with an orthodontic approach and what advantages this specialized form of dental sleep apnea treatment provides you.
What Is Sleep Apnea Disorder?
Sleep apnea is a repeated stop of breathing during sleep. It is when the throat muscles relax and partially or completely block the airway, preventing oxygen from reaching the lungs. As a result, the person experiences periods of shallow or paused breathing for several minutes, which occur hundreds of times each night. This disorder causes periods of oxygen deprivation, leading to reduced sleep quality and an overall decrease in health.
When an individual with sleep apnea sleeps, their body’s natural defence system kicks in by briefly waking them up to return breathing to normal. While the person may not remember these brief awakenings, they can lead to poor sleep quality and leave the person feeling unrested during the day.
The Role of Sleep Apnea Orthodontists
Orthodontists play an essential role in the treatment of sleep apnea. Key roles that orthodontists should be aware of include:
Orthodontic Evaluation
Orthodontic evaluation includes assessing the patient’s bite, facial structure and airway. This assessment would help to identify any potential problems causing or contributing to the sleep apnea disorder.
Screening
Orthodontists ask about their sleeping habits and lifestyle and conduct a physical examination. The patient will keep a sleep diary for two weeks to provide a clear picture of their sleep patterns.
Diagnosis
After evaluation and screening, a specialist will assess and make an official diagnosis of sleep apnea disorder.
Treatment Approaches
Based on the diagnosis, an orthodontist can develop a specific treatment plan for the patient’s sleep apnea disorder. This plan may include using certain appliances or other devices to reduce snoring and improve breathing during sleep.
Management of Sleep Apnea
Orthodontists can also provide ongoing management of the patient’s sleep apnea disorder to ensure it is properly treated and monitored. It may involve regular follow-up visits, changing treatment plans if necessary, and providing advice on lifestyle changes which could help improve the patient’s condition.
Orthodontic Issues of Sleep Apnea
When it comes to sleep apnea, orthodontic issues such as tooth and jaw misalignment, as well as dental arch problems, can have a significant impact on airway obstruction. Tooth and jaw misalignment can cause the upper and lower jaws to fit unevenly together, which results in an unnatural position of the tongue or soft palate in the airway. It can lead to airway narrowing, increasing the risk of obstructive sleep apnea.
Dental arch issues, such as an overbite or crowded teeth, can also decrease the size of the airway and increase the risk of obstruction. In addition, when patients suffer from sleep apnea, they often develop tension in the jaw muscles, leading to clenching or grinding of their teeth and further aggravating existing orthodontic issues.
Orthodontic Approaches to Sleep Apnea
Orthodontic interventions can be used to treat certain forms of sleep apnea.
Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD)
MAD advances the lower jaw, or mandible, during sleep to keep the airway open and prevents obstruction of breathing. It is an alternative treatment for mild to moderate forms of sleep apnea.
Tongue Retaining Mouthpiece (TRM)
The TRM works by gently suctioning the tongue forward during sleep. Like MAD, it is also often used as an alternative treatment for mild to moderate forms of sleep apnea.
Orthodontic Braces
Orthodontic braces may gently stretch the lower jaw, or mandible, forward to keep the airway open during sleep. It is usually employed as a last-resort treatment for severe cases of sleep apnea.
Maxillary Expansion
The maxillary expansion involves widening the upper jaw to open up the airway. It is a primary treatment for mild cases of sleep apnea or as an adjunct treatment in more severe cases.
Orthognathic Surgery
Orthognathic surgery surgically manipulates the upper and lower jaw to open the airway. This type of surgery is usually a last resort in severe sleep apnea cases and can effectively reduce symptoms.
Palatal Expansion Surgery
Palatal expansion surgery widens the soft palate to create more airflow space. It treats mild to moderate cases of sleep apnea and may be performed alone or in conjunction with other treatments.
For children, treatment may include:
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Non-surgical Maxillary Expansion
Non-surgical maxillary expansion is expanding the upper jaw to allow air to flow. It treats mild cases of sleep apnea in children and may be employed as a primary treatment or adjunct therapy.
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Orthodontic Functional Appliances
Orthodontic functional appliances move the lower jaw forward, increasing airway size and improving breathing during sleep for children.
Final Thoughts: Orthodontics as an alternative solution for sleep apnea
Sleep apnea is a serious condition with potential long-term physical and mental health implications. With the help of revolutionary new approaches such as orthodontic technology and science, however, effective treatments have become more accessible. If you’re interested in exploring your options to combat sleep apnea, remember that orthodontic treatment is an excellent solution that can provide you with the tools to target your sleep patterns and position the correct way.
With this approach, you can focus on improving your quality of life while knowing that the risk of developing further occurring conditions is much lower than before. Get proactive by consulting your doctor or dentist in Sydney, Australia, about orthodontic treatments for managing sleep apnea!
