Sleep Apnea and Orthodontics (5 EPIC FACTUALS)

Last Updated on February 22, 2022 by Gio Greenard

In the USA today, 18 million adults and a large number of children suffer from a disorder that affects sleep and health. It is called Sleep Apnea and affects breathing during the sleep cycle. The condition can range from disruptive to unhealthy. In this post, we’ll take you through what sleep apnea is and why orthodontics can help disrupt the disruptive condition. Let’s get going.

What is Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea, sometimes called sleep apnoea is common in the USA. It is classed as a sleep disorder. This disorder pauses breathing during sleep. Sometimes it causes shallow breathing instead. Each pause can last seconds or minutes and occurs multiple times a night.

It is common that apnea follows a snoring session both of which affect the person with the disorder and those close to them. The partner that shares the bed generally cannot avoid the noise and commotion caused by snoring and breathing.

Different Types of Sleep Apnea

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form of apnea. This is when muscles in the throat relax to an extent that the airways narrow, in turn making breathing difficult. These muscles support the tongue, soft palate and tonsils.

The narrowing event tells the brain to breathe via the nose and it the transition from mouth to nose that affects sleep. There is no strict number of times this can happen in a night, but it is common for it to occur multiple times a night.

Central Sleep Apnea

Central sleep apnea is a less common form and is a lack of effort to breathe. The brain fails to connect the orders to the muscles. Because of this breathing stops. It is important to note, this only occurs for a small amount of time.

The brain fails to connect the orders to the muscles.

Complex Sleep Apnea

Complex sleep apnea is a combination of obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea.

What are the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?

The main symptom is snoring. All adults have snored at some point and is common across cultures. Snoring doesn’t mean you have the condition. This condition is common and is not deadly. The main health issues with sleep apnea are side effects. Side effects like:

• Strokes
• High blood pressure
• Heart attacks or heart failure

People with pre-existing heart conditions will find the disorder worse than those without. The worst known side effect is tiredness. Chronic tiredness affects the whole health spectrum and even if adequate sleep is achieved, the person still suffers tiredness. This is due in part to the quality of sleep. Bad quality sleep will build up over time leaving ‘sleep debt.’ The lack of sleep also affects the partner, who will also suffer insomnia type effects.

Orthodontics and Sleep Apnea

Orthodontics can play a part in this issue. It could be a jaw or tooth alignment issue. It could be something more serious. This issue can be fixed by braces fitted by an expert orthodontist. The ortho will know your jaw and mouth and what is needed to correct the issue causing this disorder.

Traditional braces or clear aligners will be great for those with minor to moderate malocclusions. These devices will slowly and gently move the teeth into alignment. Traditional braces will pull teeth with wires and bands. This correction may well ease the breathing issues.

Aligners use a set of plastic trays that gradually push teeth into place. Invisalign is a popular treatment for teens and adults or those with oral health issues. These methods are for sleep apnea as well as other oral health issues.

A rapid palate expander may be used to treat obstructive sleep issues in children. This device is fixed to the upper molars. It is done with cemented bands or bonding. It bridges the upper jaw, thus, widening the space.

A mandibular advancement splint is a custom-fit brace worn during sleep. It sounds scary but it is not. The movement of the lower jaw in a forward and downward direction will occur. A widening of the airway will stop sleep apnea symptoms.

Dr Patricia Panucci

Dr Patti Panucci attended the University of Louisville School of Dentistry for four years, where she graduated with a DMD degree (May 2000) among the Top 10 in her class. Following that, she headed west to Los Angeles to complete her three-year residency at one of the top-ranked orthodontic programs in the country – the University of Southern California.

Along with her certificate in orthodontics, Dr. Panucci earned a master’s degree in craniofacial biology. During those three years, she fell in love with Southern California beach life and decided that this was where her future lay.