woman missing sleep from dental care issues

Common Sleep Therapies in Orthodontics

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People will often see an orthodontist to treat snoring, particularly if it poses a problem with their breathing or if they have a partner who is kept awake by it. We’ll look at the most common sleep therapies in the industry and how they work to correct the issue.

What Are Some Common Sleep Therapies?

Here are a few sleep therapies in Solon, OH, that are widely used in orthodontics:

  • MAD: A mandibular advancement device (MAD) will pull the lower jaw from the back to the front. This happens at night, and the gentle movement is designed to open the airway and improve breathing.
  • Dilators: A dilator can be placed inside the nose to keep the passages open.
  • TRD: A tongue retaining device (TRD) will keep the tongue forward, which will again widen the airway.
  • Surgery: In some cases, surgical intervention is needed to pull the lower jaw forward or to widen the upper jaw.

The best treatment for you will depend on the severity of the problem. A dilator is not effective with moderate snoring but can be very effective with mild or occasional occurrences.

Finding an Orthodontist in Shaker Heights, OH

Airway-focused orthodontics starts with finding an orthodontist in Shaker Heights or Solon, OH, with enough experience to treat a variety of conditions. At McGuire Orthodontics and Facial Orthopedics, our staff is equipped to treat adults and children who have breathing problems during the night. Restful sleep is not a luxury, it’s a necessity for anyone who wants to maintain their sanity and productivity. If sleep apnea of any severity affects your quality of life, contact us today to learn more about our techniques and which would be the most helpful for you.

What Is Airway Orthodontics?

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Orthodontics can do many things to help patients in need. Orthodontics can straighten teeth and improve a smile. Did you know that orthodontics can also widen your airway for improved health? It’s true. Here’s what you need to know about airway orthodontics from your orthodontist in Shaker and Solon, OH.

What Is Airway Orthodontics?

Jaw deformities can lead to a constricted airway, resulting in dangerous health problems like sleep apnea. Airway orthodontics is the treatment of the jaw deformity to open up the airway and improve patient breathing. In this way, airway orthodontics can treat problems like sleep apnea and sleep disordered breathing.

Who Needs Airway Orthodontics?

You may benefit from airway orthodontics if you have sleep disordered breathing or if you suffer from sleep apnea. If you snore at night, wake up exhausted, and feel restless and sleepy during the day, it’s possible that you have a sleep disorder that could be treated through airway orthodontics.

While some people use a CPAP machine to treat these problems, a machine of this type only treats the sleep apnea, not the underlying problem that causes the sleep apnea. Airway orthodontics can help eliminate these problems by eliminating the underlying cause.

Do you think you could benefit from airway focused orthodontics in Shaker and Solon, OH? Don’t delay treatment. Problems like sleep apnea can be dangerous as well as hard on the body. Get help from an expert who can help you find the right treatment for your condition.

Contact McGuire Orthodontics and Facial Orthopedics. We can help you determine whether this type of orthodontic treatment can help you. Call today to make an appointment.

Why It’s Critical That Sleep Apnea be Treated

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Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by interrupted breathing during sleep. This happens when the muscles in the back of the throat fail to keep the airway open, despite the effort to breathe. These interruptions in breathing can last for several seconds to a minute and may happen multiple times throughout the night, leading to fragmented and poor-quality sleep.

The Dangers of Sleep Apnea

Untreated sleep apnea poses significant risks to one’s overall health and well-being. It can lead to daytime sleepiness, fatigue, and irritability, affecting work performance and relationships. More alarmingly, sleep apnea has been linked to serious health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and even depression. The repeated episodes of decreased oxygen levels in the blood can strain the cardiovascular system, leading to long-term health consequences. Therefore, addressing sleep apnea is essential to maintaining good health and avoiding potentially life-threatening complications.

Airway-Focused Orthodontics For Sleep Apnea

One effective treatment approach for sleep apnea is airway-focused orthodontics in Shaker Heights, OH. This method involves using dental appliances or orthodontic treatments to improve the structure of the oral cavity and airway. By repositioning the teeth and jaw, these treatments help create a more open and stable airway, reducing the occurrence of apneas during sleep. Some of the common airway-focused orthodontic treatments include mandibular advancement devices, which reposition the lower jaw forward, and palatal expanders, which increase the width of the upper jaw to create more space for airflow.

It’s crucial to take sleep apnea seriously and seek treatment as soon as possible. If you suspect that you or a loved one is suffering from this sleep disorder, consult with your orthodontist in Shaker Heights, OH, who is experienced in airway-focused orthodontics. Contact us today to book your appointment.