Breathing is the single most important action you do every day. The air you breathe supplies your body with the oxygen that you need to survive, to thrive, and to function optimally. Millions of people of all ages aren’t breathing well due to airway insufficiencies. Airway insufficiencies cause disordered breathing and result in an inadequate oxygen supply to every cell of your body.

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Disordered breathing is usually most pronounced during sleep. Approximately 42 million American adults suffer from sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). An alarming 75% of severe SDB cases go undiagnosed.   

Our bodies can’t function properly without enough oxygen. When left untreated, disordered breathing can cause or aggravate a long list of potential symptoms and serious health complaints.  

 

Dr. Wonder is dedicated to the oral health and overall physical well-being of our patients. She practices Airway-Centered Dentistry to address a wide range of concerns that impact the oral health and everyday quality of life of patients of all ages. Dr. Wonder has been specially trained in the areas of Sleep and Airway Dentistry. She is also a VIVOS integrated dental practitioner completing intensive certification courses to treat children and adults with biomimetic appliances and guides. 

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The science of Airway-Centered Dentistry continues to develop, focusing on how we breathe and what factors are leading to common sleep problems. The mechanics of natural breathing rely on an open airway that is supported by stable oral health, functional jaw joints, and unrestricted airflow through our nasal passages. When a component of this natural process is compromised in some way, it can lead to health effects that are often chronic. As a dentist, Dr. Wonder has an in-depth understanding of the tissues in the mouth and throat that facilitate airflow. She has advanced training in the diagnosis of oral conditions that impact airway and a range of therapies and treatments for children and adults.  Dr. Wonder uses the airway-centered approach to your care in our office to identify the underlying structural cause of a sleep issue and resolve symptoms.

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Airway dentistry focuses on addressing common and complex concerns related to the structure of the bite and palate, which affects how you breathe. The science of Airway Dentistry has shown that many adult sleep issues are related to undiagnosed oral development concerns. Malocclusion, jaw structure abnormalities, and tooth alignment can affect our growth and our ability to breathe deeply and comfortably in our sleep. What may begin as mouth breathing when we are young can lead to sleep apnea and upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS).

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Treating the effects of sleep issues as early as possible is important for healthy growth and development in children. In adults with sleep problems, treatment is designed to resolve symptoms, restore improved oral health, and overall physical health & well-being.

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What Can Airway Dentistry Treat?

Dr. Wonder uses the airway-centered approach to treat a growing list of oral and overall health concerns that can be tied to sleep issues.  

• In adults, oral appliances can be used to treat obstructive sleep apnea and upper airway resistance syndrome as an alternative to CPAP.

• In young children, sleep disturbance caused by an airway issue can lead to behavioral problems, bedwetting, and chronic allergies. Airway dentistry could minimize the need for a pharmaceutical approach to a behavioral problem such as ADHD.

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Dr. Wonder works with adult and pediatric patients to evaluate their breathing and the structure of the jaw and palate. Using a range of therapies or treatments to restore better breathing and sleep is the key to addressing problems with lasting results.

 

Airway dentistry seeks to address the airway structure problems using oral appliances, orthodontics and other minimally invasive dental treatments. The treatments that we provide are: 

• Snore Guards to help reduce or eliminate snoring

• VIVOS Guides to help guide jaw development and tooth eruptions in children

• VIVOS DNA Appliances to help treat dentofacial abnormalities in teens and adults

• VIVIOS mRNA Appliances to help provide permanent treatment for mild to moderate sleep apnea

• Mandibular Advancement Devices (MADs) to help treat mild to moderate sleep apnea

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Benefit of Functional Breathing

Functional breathing gives your body what it needs for vibrant, healthy living. The benefits you’ll experience from airway treatment can profoundly enhance your overall health and your daily quality of living. Those benefits include:

• Reduced and eliminated snoring, teeth clenching, and obstructive sleep apnea

• Enhanced appearance and alignment of teeth and dental arches

• Pain relief

• Better posture  

• Restorative sleep

• Mood boost

• Increased energy, focus, and mental acuity

• Improved cardiovascular, metabolic, and hormonal health

• Ability to achieve and maintain a healthy weight

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Do You Suffer From Any of These Signs or Symptoms?

• Do you suffer from clenching, grinding, or gritting your teeth?

• Do you have crowded teeth or a small jaw?

• Does your tongue have teeth marks on it from pressing it up against the teeth all the time?

• Do you snore?

• Have you been diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)?

• Do you wake yourself up from sleep with gasping or choking?

• Do you suffer from chronic headaches, neck aches, or backaches?

• Do you notice that your jaw pops or clicks when you open and close your mouth?

• Do you have a history of high blood sugar, high blood pressure, or thyroid disease?

• Are you struggling with your weight?

• Have you had teeth extracted to make room for braces?

• Do you have trouble with GERD or heartburn?

• Do you have a history of depression and/or anxiety?

• Do you have difficulty with falling and staying asleep?

If any of these apply to you, you should determine whether airway issues are involved. Call us today at (360) 779-1566 for a complimentary screening.