Our team at Floss & Co. would love to meet you and your family and provide you with the dental care you deserve!
Airway Expansion in Garfield Ridge, Chicago
The path to better breathing begins with understanding what might hold you back. If you or your child frequently experiences interrupted sleep, chronic mouth breathing, or struggles with conditions like sleep apnea, the underlying cause may not be what you think. These symptoms often signal airway restrictions that can impact overall health, development, and quality of life for children and adults, but they may be resolved with your dentist’s help.
At Floss & Co., we specialize in addressing airway concerns with innovative expansion techniques that can dramatically improve breathing function. Our dedicated team brings advanced airway expertise, providing treatment options, such as palate expansion, orthodontics, and myofunctional therapy, that focus on the root cause of breathing difficulties rather than just managing symptoms. With our high-quality, inclusive services for all patients, including older clients and the LGBTQ+ community, you can start breathing and living better!
How Airway Expansion Works in Dental Treatment
Airway expansion takes a transformative approach to addressing breathing difficulties. Unlike treatments that only target symptoms, airway expansion in dentistry addresses the fundamental structural issues that can cause breathing problems.
The process begins with a comprehensive evaluation of your airway structures and breathing patterns. Using advanced diagnostic tools, we can identify specific areas of restriction that may be impacting your ability to breathe properly. This precise diagnosis allows us to develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your unique needs.
Effective Airway Expansion Treatments We Offer
Our trusted practice provides several treatments for airway expansion to improve your breathing and sleep quality. We tailor your solution to the specific types of restrictions and needs to include one or more of the following:
Airway-Focused Orthodontics
Traditional orthodontics often focuses primarily on straightening teeth, but our airway-focused orthodontic approach prioritizes proper jaw development and positioning to optimize breathing pathways. By addressing the relationship between dental alignment and airway function, we can improve aesthetics and breathing capability at the same time. Utilizing braces or clear aligners with specific modifications, we can help expand your dental arches and create more space for proper tongue positioning and airflow.
Rapid Palatal Expansion (RPE)
For children and adolescents with narrow palates, RPE utilizes a specialized orthodontic appliance to gradually widen the upper jaw. This expansion creates more space for proper tongue positioning and increases the volume of the nasal passages, significantly improving airflow. The treatment works with a child’s natural growth patterns to achieve lasting results.
Maxillary Skeletal Expansion (MSE)
MSE offers a solution for older adolescents and adults who need palatal expansion but have completed their growth phase. This technique uses micro-implant assistance to achieve skeletal changes, resulting in improved nasal breathing without major surgery. Micro implants are small screws placed in the jawbone to achieve precise movement.
Mandibular Advancement Devices
These custom-fitted oral appliances reposition the lower jaw forward during sleep, preventing the tongue and soft tissues from collapsing into the airway. They can be particularly effective for sleep apnea, which affects about 30 million people in the U.S., or chronic snoring issues, providing a comfortable alternative to CPAP therapy.
Myofunctional Therapy
This therapeutic approach focuses on retraining improper muscle function that can contribute to airway issues. Through specific exercises, you or your child learn to correct dysfunctional breathing patterns, tongue positioning, and swallowing habits that may impact your airway health.
When to Consider Airway Expansion Treatment
It’s not always easy to know if you or your child needs airway expansion-focused treatment. Our knowledgeable team at Floss & Co. can help you understand the following signs that indicate it’s time to contact us for an evaluation:
- Symptoms in children: Persistent mouth breathing, snoring, bedwetting beyond the typical age, restless sleep, and behavioral challenges that might stem from poor sleep quality.
- Symptoms in adults: Chronic fatigue despite sufficient sleep hours, morning headaches, frequent dry mouth upon waking, or diagnosed sleep apnea.
If you recognize these patterns in yourself or your child, scheduling an airway assessment could be an important step toward better health. Early intervention can be particularly valuable, potentially preventing more serious issues down the road.
Effective Airway Expansion Treatments We Offer
There are several types of dental bridges, each suited to specific needs. Traditional bridges are the most common, using crowns on neighboring teeth to support the artificial tooth. Cantilever bridges, on the other hand, are used when there is only one supporting tooth next to the gap. While less common, they are still effective in cases where a double anchor isn’t possible.
Maryland bridges use a metal or porcelain framework bonded to the backs of adjacent teeth, offering a conservative option that doesn’t require crowns. Lastly, implant-supported bridges are anchored to dental implants, providing maximum stability and longevity. Each type of bridge has unique benefits, and at Floss & Co., we work closely with you to determine the best option for your specific needs.
Our Approach to Airway Expansion at Floss & Co.
At Floss & Co., we take a holistic approach to airway expansion that considers your overall well-being, not just your oral health. We design our non-invasive treatment to work with your body’s natural development.
Our focus on long-term solutions rather than temporary fixes sets our approach apart. We aim to address the underlying causes of airway restrictions, potentially eliminating the need for continuous intervention, like CPAP machines.
Our team stays at the forefront of airway dentistry through ongoing education and implementing the latest techniques. This commitment ensures you receive the most effective and current treatment options available.
Learn More About Airway Expansion With the Caring Team at Floss & Co.
Are you tired of getting low-quality sleep due to a narrowed airway? You’re not alone! Many struggle with breathing issues affecting their sleep, energy, and happiness. Fortunately, better breathing is possible with airway expansion-focused treatments personalized to your needs, oral health, and the root cause of your concerns.
We’re passionate about helping our community breathe better and smile brighter! At Floss & Co., you’ll find a friendly team ready to welcome you like family. We’ll take the time to listen to your issues, answer all your questions, and create a plan that works for you. Discover the difference proper breathing can make by calling (773) 586-5522 or dropping us a message through our contact form. Let’s take that first breath toward a better you together!