Orthodontic Treatment for Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by disruptive breathing while the affected person is asleep. In most cases, sleep apnea is caused by the soft tissue in the back of the throat relaxing when it shouldn't, blocking the affected person's airway. However, sometimes sleep apnea isn't caused by soft tissue but actually the affected person's bite.
Overlapping and crooked teeth in combination with a small jaw can sometimes make it difficult to breathe. This is because a small jaw can impact the way your tongue rests, which can interfere with the way your throat's soft tissue functions. As a result, your breathing can become obstructed by your soft palate and throat tissue as a result of your bite, leading to obstructive sleep apnea. A professional orthodontist at the Orthodontic Wellness Center can help treat overcrowded teeth and jaw misalignments to improve your breathing and help treat your
sleep apnea.