Top Orthodontist in Falcon, Peyton, Calhan,Limon, Colorado Springs and beyond.
Airway Orthodontics
What is Airway Orthodontics?
At Falcon Orthodontics, we believe orthodontics goes beyond just straightening teeth and creating beautiful smiles. We prioritize the overall health of our patients, with a special focus on airway health. When a child has crowded or crooked teeth, or a narrow upper jaw, it can indicate improper jaw growth. These issues, along with certain oral habits and jaw deformities, can contribute to Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Sleep-Disordered Breathing (SDB). Airway Orthodontics involves orthodontic treatments designed to expand a patient’s airway, addressing and preventing the harmful effects of OSA and SDB.
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB)?
Obstructive Sleep Apnea occurs when the airway partially or fully closes during sleep, causing breathing to stop. This triggers the release of cortisol, the body’s “fight or flight” hormone, which raises heart rate and activates muscles to restart breathing. Although the person doesn’t fully wake up, they are pulled out of deep restorative sleep repeatedly throughout the night. This constant interruption is taxing on the body, akin to running a race all night long. It leaves you exhausted and can lead to prolonged elevated cortisol levels, which negatively impact the immune system, hormone production, insulin function, digestion, memory, and more.
Symptoms of OSA & SDB
- Snoring
- Mouth Breathing
- Enlarged Tonsils/Adenoids
- Facial & Jaw Deformities
- Restless Sleep & Daytime Drowsiness
- Moodiness
- Short Attention Span or ADD/ADHD
- Bed Wetting
- Tooth Grinding/Clenching
Causes
The primary causes of OSA and SDB include:
- Obstructive tissues, such as enlarged tonsils, adenoids, or turbinate bones in the nose, and deviated septum
- Poor tongue posture and tongue thrusting
- Anatomical issues like narrow jaws, recessed jaws, or tongue-tie
Airway Assessment
Dr. Jacob Zitterkopf performs a thorough airway evaluation during every orthodontic consultation, which includes:
- Measuring the airway using 3D X-ray imaging
- Checking for symptoms of OSA & SDB
- Evaluating tonsils and adenoids for enlargement using 3D X-rays and clinical examination
- Assessing oral and tongue anatomy, including checking for tongue or lip ties
Treatment
We address airway-related issues with the following treatments:
- Growth-Oriented Orthodontics: Focusing on expanding the jaw and advancing the upper and/or lower jaws to create space for the tongue and open the airway, rather than extracting teeth.
- Tongue-Tie Release: Performing a procedure to correct moderate to severe tongue ties that impact tongue posture and contribute to mouth breathing.
- Reduction of Obstructive Tissues: Collaborating with specialists to remove obstructive tissues like tonsils or adenoids, and addressing allergies or other contributing factors. Research shows that combining these approaches yields the best results.
When to Assess and Treat?
It’s important to address airway issues as soon as they are identified. While ages 7-8 are crucial for orthodontic correction, significant improvements can be made in children as young as 3-6 years old with timely intervention. Dr. Jacob Zitterkopf is dedicated to airway-focused treatment, working as a team to provide optimal care for pediatric and adult patients. They often collaborate with ENT specialists, myofunctional therapists, and speech pathologists to ensure comprehensive care and will refer to these specialists as needed. Contact our office today for a complimentary consultation and airway exam!