Airway health plays a critical role in overall well-being, yet it is often overlooked when addressing dental and orthodontic issues. Airway orthodontics focuses on identifying and treating problems that impact breathing, ensuring that patients enjoy optimal health and functionality. This blog will explore what airway orthodontics is, what affects the airway, when to get an airway evaluation, and how orthodontists can address and improve airway-related issues.
What Is Airway Orthodontics?
Airway orthodontics is a specialized approach to orthodontic care that focuses on improving the structure and function of the airway. This involves assessing and addressing issues with the nasal passages, throat, and other structures that impact breathing. By correcting underlying skeletal or dental issues, airway orthodontics can help alleviate conditions like mouth breathing, snoring, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and other health concerns tied to compromised airflow.
Unlike traditional orthodontics, which primarily targets alignment and aesthetics, airway orthodontics also prioritizes functionality and long-term health benefits, such as better sleep, improved energy, and enhanced quality of life.
What Affects the Airway?
Several factors can compromise airway health, including:
- Skeletal and Dental Development:
- Constrictions in the size of the maxilla (upper jaw) and the nasal bones can limit airflow through the nose. The position of both jaws, teeth alignment (occlusion), and the size and harmony of soft tissues—such as the tongue, neck, and surrounding muscles—are all critical factors. Issues like a small or narrow maxilla, a retruded mandible (lower jaw), reduced vertical dimension due to a deep bite, or enlarged soft tissues can all contribute to airway obstruction, leading to breathing difficulties. Proper development and alignment are essential for maintaining a healthy airway.
- Mouth Breathing:
- Chronic mouth breathing can alter facial and jaw development, resulting in a recessed chin, long facial structure, or narrow dental arches.
- Tongue Position and Function:
- A tongue that rests improperly or lacks proper mobility can block the airway or prevent natural palate expansion during growth.
- Obstructive Conditions:
- Enlarged tonsils or adenoids can physically block the airway, causing breathing problems, especially in children.
- Poor Habits:
- Prolonged thumb sucking or pacifier use during early development can contribute to abnormal jaw and palate growth.
- Sleep-Related Issues:
- Conditions like sleep apnea or habitual snoring often result from airway obstructions linked to structural problems.
Example of an obstructed airway
When Should Someone Get Their Airway Examined?
An airway evaluation should be considered if any of the following signs are present:
- In Children:
- Persistent mouth breathing
- Snoring or noisy breathing during sleep
- Difficulty focusing or symptoms resembling ADHD
- Speech difficulties or a high, narrow palate
- In Adults:
- Snoring or diagnosed sleep apnea
- Chronic fatigue or poor-quality sleep
- Jaw pain, teeth grinding, or TMJ disorders
- Recurring headaches or sinus issues
Early evaluation is critical, especially in children, as it allows orthodontists to intervene during developmental stages when treatments are most effective.
What Orthodontists Can Do to Fix Airway Issues
Orthodontists use a variety of treatments and strategies to improve airway health. These may include:
- Orthodontic Procedures
- Palate Expansion:
- A narrow palate can restrict the airway. Palatal expanders create more space in the upper jaw, which can improve nasal airflow and overall breathing.
- Non-Extraction Treatment (Braces or Aligners):
- Traditional orthodontic appliances can correct dental crowding or alignment issues that may be contributing to a restricted airway.
- Orthognathic Surgery: In some sleep apnea cases, jaw surgery can reposition the jaws to enhance airway size and function.
- Functional Appliances
- Myofunctional Appliances:
- Devices like the Myobrace encourage proper tongue posture, nasal breathing, and correct jaw alignment. These are particularly effective in children.
- Mandibular Advancement Devices (MADs):
- For adults, these appliances reposition the lower jaw forward, increasing airway space and reducing sleep apnea symptoms. Below is an example of a dorsal fin appliance.
- Healthy Habits and Education
- Breathing Exercises:
- Orthodontists may recommend breathing retraining techniques, such as Buteyko breathing, to encourage nasal breathing and improve airflow.
- Tongue Exercises:
- Orofacial myofunctional therapy can strengthen tongue muscles and improve proper resting posture to optimize airway function.
- Collaboration with Specialists
- Orthodontists often work with ENTs, sleep specialists, and myofunctional therapists to address airway concerns comprehensively. This multidisciplinary approach ensures that both structural and functional issues are resolved.
The Long-Term Benefits of Airway Orthodontics
By addressing airway issues, patients can experience a wide range of benefits, including:
- Better sleep quality and reduced snoring
- Improved focus and cognitive function
- Enhanced facial and jaw development in children
- Reduced risk of chronic conditions linked to poor airway health, such as heart disease and diabetes
- A better quality of life with improved energy and reduced fatigue
Airway orthodontics is a transformative approach that goes beyond straightening teeth to improve overall health and well-being. Whether it’s correcting a narrow palate, addressing mouth breathing, or alleviating sleep apnea, orthodontists play a key role in optimizing airway function for patients of all ages.
If you or your child exhibit signs of airway issues, don’t wait—schedule an evaluation with our team at Daia Orthodontics today. Let’s work together to create not just a beautiful smile, but a healthier, happier life.
