A Beautiful Smile But A Foundation For Lifelong Health And Wellness: Airway Orthodontics for Children

Airway Orthodontics goes beyond traditional braces to ensure optimal facial and airway development, breathing, and sleep health in children. By focusing on optimizing airway health, this method aims to prevent and reverse issues like sleep apnea, TMJ disorders, and improper facial growth early on. Unlike conventional orthodontics, which primarily addresses teeth alignment, Airway Orthodontics targets the root cause of dental and facial irregularities, offering a holistic approach to dental health and overall well-being.

What Is The Difference Between A Poorly Developed Airway and a Healthy Airway?

A poorly developed airway can collapse during sleep, limiting oxygen and affecting sleep quality. A healthy airway, in contrast, allows for proper breathing and prevents sleep disruptions, promoting healthy long-term growth & development.

Poorly Developed Airway

Healthy Airway

Consequences of a Poorly Developed Airway in Children

A poorly developed airway can lead to significant health and developmental issues in children. Without proper intervention, it may result in obstructive sleep apnea, impaired cognitive and physical development, and increased risk of behavioral problems, affecting their overall quality of life.

Symptoms to Watch Out For:

FAQs

What causes a poorly developed airway in children?

Environmental factors, mouth breathing, and poor oral habits such as thumb sucking can contribute to a poorly developed airway.

How is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) related to a poorly developed airway?

A narrow or compromised airway can collapse more easily during sleep, leading to OSA, which disrupts normal breathing patterns.

Can a poorly developed airway affect a child’s behavior?

Yes, sleep disruptions from a compromised airway can lead to daytime sleepiness, affecting concentration and leading to behavioral issues.

What are the long-term effects of not addressing airway problems?

Long-term effects include chronic sleep deprivation, cardiovascular issues, impaired growth, and developmental delays.

How can early orthodontic treatment help with airway problems?

Early treatment can effectively expand and advance the jaw, enlarge the airway, and enhance breathing and sleep quality, thereby improving overall health.

Are there specific signs parents should look for to indicate airway issues?

Signs include snoring, mouth breathing, restless sleep, daytime fatigue, ADD/ADHD – like symptoms and frequent awakenings at night.

What age should children be screened for airway issues?

Screening can begin as young as 2 to detect and address potential airway issues early.

Can a poorly developed airway be corrected?

Yes, with early intervention and airway focused treatments, including Orthotropics® ,it’s possible to optimize airway development.

Do tonsils and adenoids affect a child’s airway?

Enlarged tonsils and adenoids can obstruct the airway, contributing to sleep apnea and breathing issues.

Where can I find help for my child’s airway problems?

A pediatric dentist or orthodontist specializing in airway issues can provide assessment and treatment options.

Dr. Jim Bieneman’s UNIQUE Approach

Dr. Jim Bieneman’s focus on “airway” orthodontics, distinct from traditional methods, prioritizes the health and development of the entire body. His emphasis is on ensuring proper oral posture and airway expansion. He avoids extracting permanent teeth and using retractive forces for orthodontic purposes. His approach integrates myofunctional principles and holistic orthodontic techniques which help the face grow forward, targeting the root causes of TMJ disorders, sleep apnea, and breathing issues.

This approach aims for a beautiful smile as a visible result, with the primary goal being optimal facial growth, healthy airway development, and overall well-being.

Achieving optimal facial development and airway health by starting as early as possible

Our Solutions

Starting treatment as early as possible (we see patients as young as 2 years of age), especially those showing signs of sleep/breathing problems or TMJ issues, is crucial. This early approach uses appliances to expand and advance the upper and lower jaws, laying the foundation for a healthy airway and proper jaw development. Such preventative measures not only address immediate symptoms like mouth breathing, crooked teeth, and sleep disruptions but also guide the child towards long-term health and well-being.

MyoBrace:

MyoBrace focuses on correcting harmful oral habits that can lead to developmental issues. This preventative orthodontic treatment aligns teeth and jaws, promoting natural growth and the proper development of the oral cavity. By encouraging nasal breathing, correct tongue positioning, and swallowing, MyoBrace aids in preventing the need for more invasive treatments later.

Healthy Start:

Healthy Start is an innovative system designed for children that addresses sleep-disordered breathing, guides the development of the jaw and airway, and straightens teeth without braces. It uses soft, removable dental appliances that are worn at night to promote proper jaw alignment, enhance airway openness, and encourage healthy oral habits, contributing to overall health and well-being.

ALF (Advanced Lightwire Functional):

The ALF appliance is a holistic approach to dentistry, focusing on improving the structure and function of the oral cavity. By gently guiding the growth of the jaw and facial bones, the ALF device helps create a wider airway, reducing the risk of sleep apnea and TMJ disorders. This method supports the body’s natural ability to self-correct, leading to balanced facial development and improved overall health.

Orthotropics®:

Orthotropics® represents a non-extraction method of guiding facial growth and airway development, emphasizing the positioning of the jaws to enhance breathing, sleep, and facial aesthetics. This approach not only aims for a broad, healthy smile but also focuses on improving the structural foundation of the face. Orthotropics® encourages proper oral posture and functional growth, making it a comprehensive treatment for developing a strong profile and optimal oral health.

Each of these treatment options embodies our commitment to early intervention and holistic care, targeting the root causes of oral health issues to ensure a lifetime of benefits.

Informational Video Library

Dive deep into the principles of airway orthodontics with our video library, featuring Dr. Jim Bieneman discussing key topics that illuminate the benefits and processes of adult orthodontic treatment.