At Lake Forest Smiles, we are at the forefront of integrating the latest advancements in dental care with our comprehensive approach to oral health. Understanding the critical link between oral health and overall well-being, we are proud to introduce our dedicated airway dentistry services.
This innovative field focuses on addressing breathing-related issues that can affect your sleep, health, and quality of life. Our expert team is committed to identifying and treating conditions such as sleep apnea, snoring, and other airway obstructions, using state-of-the-art technology and personalized care plans. Join us at Lake Forest Smiles, where we believe in treating more than just teeth—we’re here to improve every aspect of your well-being.
What Is Airway Dentistry?
Airway-focused dentistry is focused on the oral health and structure of the mouth in understanding the development and treatment of disordered breathing. Many problems like mouth breathing, snoring, and obstructive sleep apnea result from underlying structural causes. Because of this, dentists—like our skilled team at Lake Forest Smiles—are in a position to identify and treat causes of breathing issues.
Though breathing problems are most apparent when you are asleep, your oral health still tells the story. Where your tongue rests, the condition of your gums and other soft tissues, and even the wear patterns on your teeth can give clues to how your airways are functioning.
Dentists trained to look for these things can play a pivotal role in the care of individuals grappling with sleep-related breathing disorders. Beyond conventional dentistry, they possess a unique ability to identify patients at greater risk and address the root cause of disordered breathing.
By embracing an airway-centered approach, these dental experts offer solutions that treat the disorder at its source, providing lasting relief and fostering overall well-being.
Solutions for Disordered Breathing
Our dentists, Dr. David Schmidt and Dr. Tracy Hughes, navigate the path to better well-being using minimally invasive approaches. Their depth of knowledge and arsenal of treatments seeks to address airway structure problems without undue disruption to your lifestyle, and can include:
Orthodontic care
such as traditional braces, Invisalign® aligners, or retainers to help align the mouth.
Mouth guards
to protect your teeth from grinding and causing other issues like TMJD/TMJ.
Custom sleep apnea appliances
such as the MicrO2™, to hold your tongue and/or jaw in place, opening up your airway
Myofunctional therapy
is a series of exercises to help your facial muscles, tongue, lips, and mouth rest in the correct positions for optimal breathing.
Restorative dentistry
to replace missing teeth using crowns, bridges, or dentures.
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) therapy
for easing jaw clenching so the mouth can properly rest.
With a deep understanding of the intricacies of airway health, we strive to provide solutions that not only improve your oral health but also enhance your ability to breathe easier, sleep better, and live a healthier, more vibrant life.
Innovative Treatment at Your Fingertips with Lake Forest Smiles
While you may not think of airways when you think of what your dentist can do for your health, our team at Lake Forest Smiles would be honored to show you how this innovative approach to holistic well-being can improve your health. Call today to schedule a consultation.