Sleep Apnea and Orthodontics
Sleep apnea is a serious condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep due to airway blockages. This disruption can lead to significant health risks, including fatigue, cardiovascular problems, and difficulty concentrating.
Fortunately, orthodontic treatments can play a crucial role in managing sleep apnea by addressing structural issues in the jaw and airway. Specialized orthodontic solutions, such as oral appliances, help realign the jaw and open up the airway, providing a non-invasive and effective way to enhance breathing and improve sleep quality.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
The term “sleep apnea” comes from the Greek words meaning “without breath.” It refers to periods of paused breathing that last 10 seconds or more while sleeping. These interruptions reduce oxygen levels in the blood, forcing the heart to work harder and disrupting sleep cycles.
Common Signs of Sleep Apnea
Recognizing sleep apnea symptoms early can help prevent severe complications. Some common signs include:
Loud snoring that may disturb others
Gasping, choking, or coughing upon waking
Waking up with a racing heart
Morning headaches
Persistent fatigue despite a full night’s sleep
Memory problems or difficulty concentrating
Excessive daytime sleepiness
Unintentional naps or dozing off
Irritability and mood swings
Difficulty losing weight or unexplained weight gain
Acid reflux in adults
ADHD symptoms or bedwetting in children
How Sleep Apnea Affects Your Health
If left untreated, sleep apnea can significantly increase the risk of serious health conditions, including:
High blood pressure
Cardiovascular disease
Obesity
Diabetes
Stroke
Increased risk of accidents due to daytime drowsiness
Sleep apnea occurs due to two main breathing disturbances:
Apneas: Complete pauses in breathing that last for 10 seconds to over a minute.
Hypopneas: Partial airway blockages causing shallow breathing.
During sleep, the tongue and throat muscles relax, causing the lower jaw to fall back and block the airway. This obstruction lowers oxygen levels, prompting the brain to wake the sleeper briefly, leading to a cycle of disrupted sleep. The process often ends with a loud snort, gasp, or body movement before resuming sleep, only for the cycle to repeat throughout the night.
Orthodontic Treatment for Sleep Apnea
Orthodontic interventions offer a non-invasive approach to improving sleep apnea symptoms. Some effective treatment options include:
Oral appliances that reposition the jaw to keep the airway open
Palatal expanders to widen the airway, particularly in children
Custom-fitted mandibular advancement devices (MADs) to prevent airway collapse
By addressing structural causes of airway obstruction, orthodontic treatments can significantly reduce the severity of sleep apnea, leading to better sleep quality and overall health.
If you suspect you or a loved one may have sleep apnea, schedule a consultation with Dr. Mariah Pewarski to explore treatment options personalized to your needs.
