How can this be solved?
Orthodontic treatment can relieve sleep apnea and reduce airway problems
Sleep apnea is a serious disorder in which a person involuntarily stops breathing during their sleep cycle. This lack of oxygen can cause symptoms such as severe headaches, chronic fatigue and snoring, and can have a significant negative impact on your quality of life. At Martín Goenaga Clinic, Drs. Martín and Aznar offer treatments for patients suffering from sleep apnea and airway problems. Because several risk factors for sleep disorders include the positions of the oral and maxillofacial structures, orthodontic treatment offers long-term success for many patients. There are many treatment options available and the method will depend on the individual.
Sleep apnea not only causes a multitude of health problems for the patient, but it is also detrimental to their partner. Someone suffering from sleep apnea may not realize the noise and commotion that is often a byproduct of sleep interruption. Typically, after holding their breath for an extended period of time, the sleeper will partially awaken and take deep, forceful breaths. This can be worrisome for a sleeping partner, who often stays awake to make sure their partner is still breathing.
Risk factors for sleep apnea
Sleep apnea can be caused by genetic factors, environmental factors, or a combination of both. If any of these indicators are true, you may have an increased risk of developing a sleep disorder:
Age: if you are over 40, you have an increased risk of developing sleep apnea.
Gender: the likelihood of sleep apnea is more likely in men.
Hard and soft tissue position: the structure of your soft palate and airway can directly affect your breathing. Narrow airways are in many cases insufficient for a large volume of air to pass through. The size of soft tissues can also negatively affect sleep, such as enlarged tonsils or an oversized tongue. Oral and maxillofacial structures, such as the jaw and temporomandibular joint, contribute to the shape and size of the airway.
Mouth breathing: Chronic mouth breathers bring too much air into the lungs, which causes increased negative pressure in the airways. This also leads to the development of severe dry mouth, which keeps tissues inflamed and results in discomfort.
Sleeping on the back: Sleeping position plays an important role in patients with sleep disorders. When lying on the back, there is an increased intake of air, which can lead to snoring. This sleeping position also stimulates relaxation of the lower jaw, which decreases the diameter of the upper airway.
Sinus problems: congested nasal passages or chronic sinus problems can interfere with normal breathing.
Obesity: overweight patients have an increased risk of developing sleep disorders, due to enlargement of the soft tissues in the back of the throat.
Large necks: the risk of airway collapse increases in patients with thicker necks. The average neck circumference is 17 inches in male patients and 16 inches in female patients.
Symptoms of sleep disorders
Sleep apnea can present a variety of warning signs. If you notice one or more of these symptoms, you may have a sleep disorder:
Snoring
Interrupted sleep
Frequent trips to the bathroom during the night.
Morning fatigue
Nighttime asthma
Dry mouth
Intense coughing or wheezing upon awakening
Treatment approaches for sleep apnea
Orthodontic treatment can play a vital role in alleviating sleep disorders. In determining the most practical treatment for you, Drs. Martin, Aznar and Arias Camison will evaluate how your teeth occlude, jaw joint movement and jaw position, among other factors.
Treatment options for sleep apnea range from simple to complex. Your treatment will be determined by your individual needs. Many patients have experienced significant improvement with these solutions.
