At Grove Health Dental, our approach to airway and functional dentistry looks beyond the teeth to understand how oral health, breathing, sleep, jaw function, and overall health work together in both children and adults. We evaluate airway and jaw development, nasal breathing, oral resting posture, sleep-disordered breathing risks, bite alignment, and TMJ function to help identify concerns that may impact your quality of life. We utilize Home Sleep Tests to evaluate for Obstructive Sleep Apnea or Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome and treat patients with Oral Appliance Therapy using Mandibular Advancement Devices.

An Airway Exam includes:

• 3D CBCT xray to assess the craniofacial respiratory complex and evaluate the size of the airway and note any obstructions (i.e. enlarged adenoids/tonsils, elongated soft palate, deviated nasal septum, enlarged nasal turbinates, nasal swell bodies, skeletal deficiencies in jaw growth/position, TMJ assessment)

• Examination of extraoral craniofacial/nasal structures and intraoral soft and hard tissues to assess common oral signs/symptoms of airway restrictions and sleep-disordered breathing:

  • narrow, v-shaped arches

  • tooth crowding

  • tethered oral tissues/tight tongue and lip ties

  • low/elongated soft palate

  • scalloped tongue

  • macroglossia

  • mouth breathing

  • tongue resting posture

  • tooth wear from bruxism

  • tooth erosion from acid reflux

  • tooth occlusion/crossbites

  • enlarged tonsils/adenoids

  • chronic congestion

  • mouth breathing

  • snoring

  • chronic ear infections

  • morning headaches

  • poor quality and/or quantity of sleep

  • waking frequently or inability to get back to sleep

  • night anxiety or waking up with heart racing

  
  

• Home Sleep Test order to further evaluate your sleep and check for obstructive sleep apnea

• Referral/s to any specialist needing to be involved in your personalized care (airway orthodontist, TMJ specialist, myofunctional therapist, physical therapist, chiropractor, and/or craniosacral therapist)