Exceptional Airway Treatment in Upstate, SC
At Palmetto Family Orthodontics, we appreciate the synergistic relationships between ENT, pediatric, and myofunctional providers in Greenville, Spartanburg, and surrounding communities in Upstate South Carolina. We’re proud to provide airway focused orthodontics and work hand-in-hand with these providers to enhance your overall health.
Airway obstruction can affect both children and adults, causing poor sleep quality, obstructive sleep apnea, and other breathing problems. Airway conditions are often multifactorial, which is why at Palmetto Family Orthodontics, we are committed to screening patients of all ages for airway issues and providing comprehensive airway orthodontics, going further than simply straightening teeth.
Airway orthodontics is an orthodontic specialty that focuses on the alignment of the face and jaw and how it relates to proper breathing. Our treatments can promote appropriate breathing, guide healthy jaw growth and teeth alignment, lead to fewer future dental problems, and improve overall health.
Signs You or Your Child May Need To See Airway Focused Orthodontics
For children, early intervention with airway orthodontics can improve quality of sleep throughout the night, encourage better behavior during the day, increase focus and success in school, and improve overall dental health. Airway orthodontics for adults has similar benefits, and can allow you to feel more rested, productive, and attentive during the day.
Symptoms in Children
- Hyperactivity
- ADHD-like symptoms
- Chronic lethargy
- Chronic allergies
- Breathing through the mouth instead of the nose
- Rapid, shallow breathing
- Bedwetting
- Chronic nighttime restlessness, waking, or nightmares
- Periods of not breathing or breath-holding while asleep
- Dental misalignments, such as a crossbite
- Frequent nose bleeds or congestion
Symptoms in Teens and Adults
- Chronic daytime sleepiness despite a full night’s sleep
- Feeling unrested or extremely groggy when waking
- Chronic morning headaches
- Dozing off during daily activities
- Poor school or work performance
- Periods of not breathing or breath-holding while asleep
- Bad breath
- Frequent nose bleeds or congestion
- Hyperactivity
- ADHD-like symptoms
- Chronic lethargy
- Chronic allergies
- Breathing through the mouth instead of the nose
- Rapid, shallow breathing
- Bedwetting
- Chronic nighttime restlessness, waking, or nightmares
- Periods of not breathing or breath-holding while asleep
- Dental misalignments, such as a crossbite
- Frequent nose bleeds or congestion
- Hyperactivity
- ADHD-like symptoms
- Chronic lethargy
- Chronic allergies
- Breathing through the mouth instead of the nose
- Rapid, shallow breathing
- Bedwetting
- Chronic nighttime restlessness, waking, or nightmares
- Periods of not breathing or breath-holding while asleep
- Dental misalignments, such as a crossbite
- Frequent nose bleeds or congestion
- Chronic daytime sleepiness despite a full night’s sleep
- Feeling unrested or extremely groggy when waking
- Chronic morning headaches
- Dozing off during daily activities
- Poor school or work performance
- Periods of not breathing or breath-holding while asleep
- Bad breath
- Frequent nose bleeds or congestion
Benefits of Airway Orthodontics
Airway orthodontics can benefit patients with mild to severe airway and sleep associated issues. Some of these benefits include:
- Feeling more energized during the day
- Getting better sleep at night
- Reducing the number of respiratory infections, asthma attacks, and sleep apnea episodes
- Improvement in school or work performance
- Lessening symptoms of depression and anxiety
For many patients, the difference in their lives before and after airway orthodontic treatment is night and day, with most patients feeling better than ever before.
Our Approach to Airway Orthodontics
At Palmetto Family Orthodontics, we’re here to ensure your overall health. Airway treatment enables us to correct simple behaviors that have a big effect on your overall quality of life. Our goals to ensure best results include:
- Corrected nasal breathing
- Lips that sit together at rest
- Proper tongue posture
- Elimination of lip activity during swallowing
- Optimal facial development
- Straighter teeth without extractions (when possible)
By limiting extractions and addressing airway concerns early whenever possible, we can improve you or your child’s daily life and nighttime sleep.
Team Approach to a Better Airway
When essential functions like breathing, swallowing, and speaking are affected, a collaborative approach to treatment is often necessary. At Palmetto Family Orthodontics, we work with additional providers to take a comprehensive approach to patient care.
Myofunctional therapy focuses on strengthening the muscles of the face and mouth to create a healthy balance between oral-facial structure and function. This therapy may be recommended before or alongside orthodontic treatment. In some cases, additional referrals to ENT specialists, pediatric dentists, or primary care physicians may be necessary to evaluate for soft tissue obstructions or restrictions.
Our team carefully assesses each patient and coordinates referrals as needed to support overall health and well-being.
Get Personalized Airway Treatment in Upstate, SC
If you or your child are experiencing any of the common symptoms of airway obstruction, schedule a free consultation* with Palmetto Family Orthodontics today! One-on-one, personalized care provided by our fantastic orthodontists and staff can help improve your sleep, breathing and overall health.
