Orthodontics for Airway Expansion - Melissa, TX
Breathe Easier and Enjoy a
Healthier Smile with Orthodontics
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Get StartedAirway Orthodontics Correct More than Misaligned Smiles
Advancements in dentistry and medicine have reinforced the crucial connection between the airway and systemic health. As a holistic and functional dentist, Dr. Kathleen Schuster has a dedication to understanding the connection between orofacial issues and whole-body health. Both her grandfather and dad struggled with sleep apnea, so getting to the root cause and helping patients conquer this potentially dangerous condition is near and dear to her heart. As a mom of two young children, she also has a special place in her heart for helping infants thrive and children live healthier by performing frenectomies (tongue-tie and lip-tie surgeries) and offering myofunctional therapy.
Dr. Kathleen Schuster has a dedication to understanding the connection between orofacial issues and whole-body health.
While orthodontics is a tried-and-true method for correcting malocclusion and aligning teeth, orthodontics at Magnolia Ridge Dentistry plays an important role in alleviating disordered breathing and sleep. Dr. Schuster has an in-depth understanding of every aspect of oral structures—from dental and jawbone health to the mouth’s soft tissues, throat, and airway. She has a proven track record helping patients of all ages expand their airways with orthodontics in Melissa, TX, for a restored daily life and better overall long-term health!
Restoring a Healthier Life Starts
by Getting to the Root of the Issue
Nothing is more central to a healthy human life than breathing, yet few dentists focus on this aspect of their patient’s health. The nasal airway is the air passageway through your nose, while the pharyngeal airway goes down your throat into your lungs.
If you can’t breathe properly through your nasal airway, you must breathe through your mouth. Unlike the nasal airway, which is outlined by hard tissues, the pharyngeal airway is lined by soft tissues, including the back surface of your tongue and the back of your throat, making it vulnerable to collapse.
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Craniofacial Structure Issues That Can Impact More than Oral Health
Your ability to breathe naturally relies on an open airway, functional jaw joints, proper bite alignment, and stable oral health. Various oral structure abnormalities can cause soft tissue to collapse, block your airway during sleep, and cause sleep apnea. Tongue-tie (a restrictive lingual frenum) is commonly associated with breastfeeding or bottle-feeding issues, speech problems when children speak, and limited tongue mobility.
But when left untreated, it can lead to maxillary jaw underdevelopment, malocclusions (e.g., open bite or crossbite), mouth breathing, and an elevated risk of pediatric sleep apnea. A lip-tie (restrictive labial frenum) is also associated with a smaller palate (roof of the mouth) and reduced space in the upper airway. In general, the most common oral structure issues related to disordered breathing and obstructive sleep apnea include:
- Large tongue, tonsils, or adenoids
- Narrow maxilla (upper jawbone)
- Excessively short maxilla (upper jaw too far back)
- Narrow maxilla and mandible (lower jawbone)
- Excessively short mandible
Orthodontic Airway Expansion Options
Palatal Expanders
A palatal expander is attached to the upper first molars on both sides with special glue. It is gradually enlarged by turning a screw joint until the desired expansion is achieved. A palatal expander is often used to correct crossbites and crowding in children. At Magnolia Ridge Dentistry, we use palatal expanders to increase patients’ airway openings, thereby lessening mouth breathing and preventing or alleviating snoring and sleep apnea.
For optimal results, maxillary expansion should be done before age 12 because the mid-palatal suture hasn’t yet fused, and the jawbone is more malleable. Children as young as age seven may be ideal candidates for palatal expansion. Several types of palatal expanders are available, each of which is effective for specific issues. Dr. Schuster determines the best option based on the degree of palate constriction and the patient’s age. For example, extra force is required in adolescents and young adults to expand the jawbone, so mini-screw-assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE) is typically recommended.
Clear Aligner Therapy
While Invisalign® clear aligners are a proven method for correcting various types of malocclusions, they can also be effective for correcting airway constriction. A 2022 study found that patients who underwent clear aligner therapy experienced a significant increase in airway volume. More than 60% of patients experienced a positive change in tongue position and its relationship to their incisors and palate.
Dr. Schuster strongly believes in Phase 0 and Phase 1 orthodontics in young children and using minimally invasive Invisalign in Melissa, TX, to help expand airways, restore normal breathing, and reduce or eliminate associated symptoms.
Can Airway-Centered Orthodontics Help Your Child or You?
Dr. Schuster evaluates patients based on their oral anatomy, symptoms, and diagnostic imaging. A frenectomy in infants and young children can often prevent the need for other procedures. Orthodontics for airway expansion in Melissa, TX, can reduce or eliminate the following symptoms.
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Irritability and difficulty focusing on tasks
- Bedwetting and behavioral problems in kids
- Dry oral tissue, snoring, and obstructive sleep apnea
- Narrow jaws, crooked teeth, open bites and crossbites
- Extensive tooth wear caused by bruxism (tooth grinding/clenching)
- Frequent headaches or migraines
- Excessive gum tissue (gummy smile)
Improve Your Breathing and Day-to-Day Life!
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