Long term sleep solution: Orthodontics… not just for crooked teeth

When sleep shortages are keeping you from being productive during the day, orthodontic solutions may be considered.

Because your jaw growth is a gradual process, your upper and lower jaws may develop at different rates. This may directly affect your breathing and in turn, contribute to your sleep deficiency. Aside from a mismatched jaw due to conflicting growth rates, the positioning could have also been affected by an injury or it could have been a birth defect – gone undetected. Additionally, a deep overbite or buck teeth can be an indicator of a sleep apnea problem. 

You may potentially benefit from orthodontic treatment through the re-positioning and re-alignment of your jaw. This is usually achieved by expanding the upper and lower jaw and ultimately widening your breathing airway. Broadening narrow arches and opening an over closed bite makes more room for the tongue and opens up the airway.

In children and young adults, palate widening orthodontic appliances can create more breathing room in the nasal passages to make it easier to breathe through the nose.

What results can I expect?

Orthodontics can help change the pattern of your teeth and bite.

The objective of an orthodontic treatment is to correct of a variety of facial and jaw irregularities, resulting in an improved ability to breathe and consequently, sleep. This can be achieved both with and without surgery – depending on the severity of the jaw placement.