Sleep Apnea TreatmentIn Eastvale & Ontario
At Trident Orthodontics, we believe orthodontic care extends far beyond straightening teeth and creating beautiful smiles. It's about supporting your overall health and well-being, including how you breathe. For both children and adults, we routinely screen for and address common conditions like Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Sleep-Disordered Breathing (SDB). Jaw development issues and certain oral habits can negatively affect the airway and contribute to these conditions, making it essential to identify and address them as early as possible.
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Sleep-Disordered Breathing (SDB)?
OSA and SBD are conditions in which the airway becomes blocked during sleep. When this happens, the body responds by entering survival mode, releasing cortisol, raising the heart rate, and engaging muscles to restore normal breathing. This disrupts deep, restorative sleep as the body repeatedly struggles to catch its breath before relaxing, only for the cycle to start again. Over time, this constant strain takes a significant toll on the body and can negatively impact quality of life by affecting immune function, hormone regulation, memory, learning, and other essential bodily processes.
Jaw structure can also play a role in airway health. A narrow upper jaw or underdeveloped lower jaw can leave insufficient room for the tongue to rest properly, causing it to fall back during sleep and contribute to snoring and breathing difficulties.
Airways Therapy for Young Patients
If your child is experiencing breathing difficulties during sleep, their doctor may identify a potential airway blockage and recommend further testing to confirm. Custom oral appliances are a commonly recommended solution, and an orthodontist can design a device tailored to your child's needs such as a palatal expander (RPE/MARPE) or mandibular advancement device (MAD). That said, these appliances aren't the right solution for every child, and other options such as tonsil or adenoid removal, or treatment for allergies, may be more appropriate in some cases.
Because every situation is unique, a collaborative, team-based approach is essential. Your doctor will partner with you to identify the most suitable and effective course of treatment for your child's sleep apnea.
Did you know…
Did you know that sleep apnea was not officially recognized as a medical condition until the 1960s? Before that, people who snored loudly or stopped breathing during sleep were often just told they were "heavy sleepers." Today, it is one of the most common sleep disorders in the world, affecting an estimated 1 billion people globally!
Signs & Symptoms
Children
- Snoring
- Teeth grinding
- Mouth breathing
- Hyperactivity and trouble concentrating, similar to ADHD
- Daytime sleepiness
- Irritability
- Poor or stunted growth
- History of recurring ear infections
- Ongoing allergies, nasal congestion, or obstruction
- Dental crossbite
- Crowded baby teeth
- Anterior open bite (front teeth that don't overlap)
Adults
- Snoring
- Gasping during sleep
- Teeth grinding
- Frequent nighttime waking
- Morning headaches
- Mouth breathin
- Difficulty managing existing health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, or obesity
- Trouble concentrating
- Daytime sleepiness
- Irritability
The Benefits of Sleep Apnea Treatment
Restored, Restful Sleep
Untreated sleep apnea can lead to a range of issues, including irritability, difficulty concentrating, and even dangerous drowsiness behind the wheel. Effective treatment helps you get back to sleeping soundly, so you wake up feeling genuinely refreshed after a full night's rest.
Reduced Health Risks
Addressing sleep apnea also lowers your risk of developing serious health conditions such as headaches, diabetes, heart attack, and stroke. By allowing you to breathe consistently and without interruption throughout the night, treatment supports your long-term overall health and wellbeing.
Better Daily Functioning
Treating sleep apnea can significantly improve your quality of sleep, which in turn enhances how you feel and perform each day. With more restorative rest, you'll notice a boost in energy and vitality, making it easier to engage fully in life without the burden of constant fatigue.
The Sleep Apnea Treatment Process
Sleep Test And Diagnosis
We'll start by discussing your sleep habits, breathing patterns, and any related symptoms, then review your medical history and conduct a thorough examination of your breathing, teeth, gums, mouth, and throat. A facial scan will be taken to evaluate your airway. If a blockage is suspected, additional testing will be ordered to confirm the diagnosis, and you may be referred to specialists such as an ENT doctor, sleep specialist, or myofunctional therapist.
Treatment Discussion
Your care plan will be tailored to your specific needs and may involve lifestyle adjustments, orthodontic treatment, or custom oral appliances. An orthodontist can design devices like a palatal expander (RPE/MARPE) or mandibular advancement device (MAD) to target the underlying issue. Though it's worth noting these aren't the right fit for everyone, and other approaches may be recommended instead. Whatever path is chosen, Dr. Phanwill guide you through each step so you have a clear understanding of how the treatment will benefit your health.
Follow-Up Care
Ongoing follow-up appointments will be encouraged to monitor your progress and ensure your treatment plan is effectively improving your airway health. Referrals to additional providers may be made as needed to ensure you're receiving comprehensive care. Your doctor will work collaboratively with you to find the most suitable and effective approach for managing your or your child's sleep apnea.
Before & Afters
A smile is worth 1,000 words.
See real patient success stories.
Ed T
Frequently Asked Questions
Check out these frequently asked questions, or call us to speak with our team.
