Did you know that orthodontics is not strictly about straight teeth? While a child’s teeth may appear aligned and straight, there could be underlying issues that need to be addressed to prevent more serious problems from developing.
An orthodontist can identify abnormalities earlier in a child’s life when teeth and jaws are easier to manipulate. Early orthodontic treatment is the ideal way to locate and address any issues within a child’s developing mouth.
From an orthodontic perspective, airway-focused orthodontics addresses issues that arise when maintaining the airway’s physiological function. Dr. Cheba refers to airway-focused orthodontics as a slow and gentle approach. This approach is introduced early on as preventative treatment when the child is growing and developing versus later developmental years when it may be too late or complexity of treatment increases.
So, what exactly is airway-focused orthodontics? Orthodontists can look beyond teeth to the nose, throat, tongue, face, and neck. All aspects of our bodies work together and orthodontic issues can sometimes cause or accelerate health problems in the rest of our bodies. This is especially true in terms of breathing issues. Dr. Cheba believes he must help with more than just oral health as he is committed to his patient’s overall health.
Ultimately, the airway-focused approach is important because it helps improve early hard and soft tissue development while avoiding major issues in the future. It allows increased space for the tongue to come forward while improving speech and avoids complications like disordered breathing and recurrent infections.
Symptoms associated with airway issues include mouth breathing, frequent urination, dark circles or bags under the eyes, loss of concentration, recurrent tonsillar infections, severe overbites, low tongue posture, and lips staying apart while the mouth is resting.
With new technology, tools are available that allow orthodontists to incorporate airway analysis on a day-to-day basis including 3D imaging and analysis capabilities. Dr. Cheba notes that it’s important to rely on experience and to tap into the network of other trained dental professionals in your area to collaborate on available treatment options.
If the airway is clear and properly aligned, it is much easier for the patient to breathe. It reduces the chance of sleep apnea and assists with a healthier sleep pattern. Encouraging nasal breathing promotes natural jaw structure and dental development, which helps to avoid long-term sleep and breathing problems like snoring.
As previously mentioned, early intervention can help patients avoid more serious conditions later in life as a preventative solution. Airway-focused orthodontics is one of Dr. Cheba’s offered treatments that can change your overall health and well-being.