Airway Orthodontics in Katy, TX

Dr. Ney & Dr. Ozge are airway orthodontists. In addition to straightening teeth and enhancing appearance, airway orthodontics aims to optimize the airway to enhance breathing and general quality of life of children adolescents and adults when the source of the problem is the jaw development. A deficient jaw development can affect the way we breathe.

Symptoms of breathing disorders in children and adolescents:

Snoring

Bed Wetting

Night Terrors

Teeth Grinding

Disorder Breathing

Mouth Breathing

Odd Sleep Positions

Frequent Infections

Restlessness

Mouth breathing is associated with:

Narrow upper jaw (V shaped)
Crowded teeth
Congested nose
Changes in direction of facial growth
Low Tongue posture
Tongue tie
Open mouth posture
Snores/clench/grind, especially not normal in children
Recurrent tonsilitis
Reduced chewing function
A number of significant health conditions like sleep apnea

Symptoms of breathing disorders in adults may include:
Snoring heavily, mouth breathing, waking with choking sensation or gasping for breath, nighttime restlessness, heartburn, high blood pressure, clenching or grinding the teeth or feeling exhausted after a full night’s sleep.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a chronic disorder caused by repetitive collapse of the upper airway during sleep. Episodes of complete (apneas) and partial (hypopneas) cessation of airflow can lead to two main consequences: arousals from sleep and oxyhemoglobin desaturations. OSA has been directly connected to larger health concerns such as high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, anxiety and depression, obesity, ADHD and more.

How to Solve Airway Problems With Orthodontic Care

The maxilla (upper jaw) involves the roof of the mouth which is also the floor of the nose. The most common malocclusion associated with breathing disorders is a narrow maxilla. A narrow maxilla is usually associated with a posterior crossbite. The maxillary expanders (aka palatal expanders) are used in children and early adolescents to widen the upper jaw allowing more room for the teeth and the tongue and improving the nasal passage which helps with airway problems and restores an ideal facial growth and development.

When the upper jaw (palate) completes its bone maturation in late adolescents and adults, the expander of choice is a Microimplant Assisted Rapid Palatal Expander (MARPE). The Maxillary Skeletal Expander (MSE) is one type of MARPE which allows a more posterior and superior expansion that leads to improving breathing disorders symptoms. Dr. Ney & Dr. Ozge have several research publications on this topic.

Maxillomandibular Advancement (MMA) surgery, is typically reserved for patients who cannot tolerate CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) or have severe anatomical issues causing sleep apnea. This procedure surgically moves the upper and lower jaws forward along with the soft tissues of the tongue and palate, opening the upper airway. For some patients, the MMA is the only technique that can create the necessary air passageway. Our Doctors work closely with an Orthognathic Surgeon, for the planning, orthodontic preparation and post-surgical orthodontics.

Benefits of Airway Orthodontics

It can provide a good night’s sleep without any struggle to breathe while sleeping.
It can help healthy facial development for young ones who get treated at that age.
It reduces or helps in eliminating the need for jaw surgery in the future.
It can help breathing and performance in all aspects of life (school, sports, work, etc).

Our doctors offer much more than just leveling, aligning, and minor bite correction, which is what traditional orthodontists only do! Their areas of expertise include diagnosing and treating airway issues, facial deviation, jaw disharmony, slanted smile lines, gummy smiles and excessive or deficient vertical facial dimension that are either not diagnosed or avoided by traditional orthodontists.