Quick Answer
Airway dentistry looks at how oral and facial development may relate to breathing, sleep, and everyday function. The treatment process may include dental evaluations, custom appliances, myofunctional therapy, and collaboration with other healthcare providers based on each patient’s needs.
What could your breathing, tongue posture, and jaw development possibly have to do with a dental visit? More than you might think. Your teeth are only one part of your oral health, and the way your facial structures develop and function can play a role in breathing, sleep, and everyday comfort.
If you are exploring airway dentistry in Albuquerque for yourself or your child, understanding these connections can make the process feel a little less unfamiliar. Here is a closer look at what airway care involves and how it works here at Maven Dentistry.
What Is Airway Dentistry?
Airway dentistry takes a broader look at how oral and facial development may relate to breathing, sleep, and oral function. Along with caring for your teeth and gums, your dentist may evaluate factors such as jaw development, dental arch width, tongue position, and bite alignment when signs of breathing issues are present.
What Problems Can Airway Dentistry Address?
There are many reasons you may be referred for specialized airway dental care. Some common signs or issues that may prompt an evaluation include:
- Mouth breathing
- Snoring or other sleep-related breathing concerns
- Narrow dental arches or crowded teeth
- Teeth grinding
- Tongue posture or swallowing difficulties
- Jaw and bite development issues
- Pre-orthodontic or orthodontic needs
Noticing these signs is a good reason to take a closer look. An assessment can help us understand the bigger picture and recommend the next step based on what we find.
How Does Airway Dentistry Work?
Airway dentistry considers different factors that may be contributing to what you or your child is experiencing. While the process varies from patient to patient, care may include:
Screening and Health History
Your dentist will start by learning about your health history and what brought you in. This may include questions about your lifestyle, habits, and symptoms to better understand your experience.
Structural Evaluation
Your dentist will take a closer look at your bite, dental development, tongue position, and other factors related to oral function. This can help identify areas that may need further attention.
Dental Imaging
In some cases, specialized dental imaging can provide information that is not visible during a regular exam. Your dentist may use these images to better understand facial development and guide treatment planning.
Collaboration With Other Providers
Airway care may involve ENTs, sleep physicians, myofunctional therapists, or other healthcare professionals. Each provider can address a different part of the picture based on the patient’s needs.
Personalized Care Planning
Based on the evaluation and, when appropriate, input from collaborating providers, your dentist can discuss treatment options tailored to your specific findings and needs.
Ongoing Monitoring and Adjustment
Growth, development, and oral function can change over time. Follow-up visits allow your care team to monitor progress and make adjustments when needed.
Common Airway Treatment Options
Airway treatment can include appliances and devices that address certain dental or developmental factors, as well as therapeutic techniques and medical procedures when appropriate. These may include:
- Oral Appliances: Custom dental appliances may be used to address certain factors related to jaw positioning, dental arch development, or oral function. Options may include appliances such as the ALF (Advanced Lightwire Functionals) or May Appliance.
- Orthodontic Care: Expanders, braces, and other orthodontic treatments can address narrow dental arches, bite alignment, and tooth positioning. Depending on the patient’s needs, treatment may also be planned with tongue space and dental or jaw development in mind.
- Myofunctional Therapy: Myofunctional therapy uses guided exercises and techniques to address patterns involving tongue posture, swallowing, oral habits, and breathing habits.
- Medical or Surgical Referrals: When factors such as enlarged tonsils, adenoids, nasal restriction, or other medical issues may be involved, your dentist may recommend an evaluation with an ENT or another appropriate healthcare provider.
The treatment recommended will depend on your individual needs and the guidance of the providers involved in your care.
How Maven Dentistry and ABQ Myofunctional Therapy Support Patients Through Airway Dentistry in Albuquerque
Airway care can involve different areas of expertise depending on what you or your child needs. That is why our team here at Maven Dentistry works collaboratively with ABQ Myofunctional Therapy to look at both development and everyday oral function. At Maven Dentistry, your care may include dental treatment or appliances to address certain developmental and orthodontic needs, while myofunctional therapy can focus on tongue posture, swallowing patterns, oral muscles, and habits.
When both development and function need attention, these approaches can work together as part of your care plan. You can also learn more through ABQ Myofunctional Therapy here.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my child should see an airway dentist?
Signs such as frequent mouth breathing, snoring, teeth grinding, crowded teeth, or certain jaw and bite development issues may be worth discussing with an airway dentist. An evaluation can help determine whether dental or oral factors may be involved and whether additional care or a referral is appropriate.
What age should a child have an airway evaluation?
There is no single age that is right for every child. An evaluation may be appropriate when issues involving breathing, oral habits, dental development, or jaw growth arise, and your child’s dentist can help determine when a closer look may be helpful.
Can an airway dentist diagnose sleep apnea?
An airway dentist can screen for signs and symptoms that may be associated with sleep-related breathing disorders, but diagnosing sleep apnea requires appropriate medical evaluation and testing. If screening indicates that further evaluation may be needed, your dentist may recommend working with a sleep physician or another qualified medical provider.
How do I know whether an appliance or myofunctional therapy is needed?
That depends on whether your evaluation identifies developmental factors, functional patterns, or a combination of both. Your care team can recommend an appliance, myofunctional therapy, another form of care, or a combination based on your individual findings and needs.
Explore Your Next Steps With Maven Dentistry
If you have questions about signs or issues that may be related to your airway, an assessment is a great place to start. Schedule an appointment with us today to learn more about airway dentistry in Albuquerque and the options available for you or your child.
Key Takeaways
- Airway dentistry considers how oral and facial development may relate to breathing, sleep, and everyday function.
- Treatment varies by patient and may include dental appliances, orthodontic care, myofunctional therapy, or referrals to other healthcare providers.
- Signs such as mouth breathing, snoring, teeth grinding, crowded teeth, and certain developmental issues may prompt an airway evaluation.
- Collaboration between dental, myofunctional, and medical providers can help address different factors involved in a patient’s care.
