Airway Orthodontics for Better Breathing

Orthodontics isn’t just about straight teeth and beautiful smiles—it’s about helping you or your child live better, sleep better, and thrive. At Marshall Orthodontics, we understand that oral health is directly connected to long-term systemic health. That’s why we evaluate airway function as part of our diagnostic process. Certain oral habits and jaw development issues can contribute to Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB)—conditions that affect your health and quality of life.

What Is Airway Orthodontics?

Airway orthodontics refers to a type of orthodontic care that focuses on improving breathing and overall health, not just aligning the teeth. Using treatment methods like jaw expansion or jaw advancement, Dr. Robert Marshall can help open the airway to treat or reduce the effects of OSA and SDB.

What Are Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB)?

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a common condition where the muscles of the throat—like the soft palate and tongue—relax during sleep and block the airway. This results in repeated pauses in breathing, often accompanied by snoring, choking, or gasping for air. These interruptions:

• Lower oxygen levels in the blood

• Increase carbon dioxide buildup

• Trigger the release of cortisol, the body’s stress hormone

• Raise heart rate and blood pressure

Though you may not fully wake up, your body reacts like it’s running a marathon all night. This chronic sleep disruption leads to the following:

• Daytime exhaustion

• Mood changes, irritability, or depression

• Memory issues and difficulty concentrating

• Weight gain and increased appetite

• Higher risk of hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes

In children, these sleep disorders can lead to:

• Learning difficulties or poor academic performance

• Behavioral problems (often mistaken for ADHD)

• Bedwetting, night terrors, and poor growth