What is airway focused orthodontics?
Airway focused orthodontics uses custom-crafted oral appliances to resolve airway, temporomandibular joint (TMJ), or cosmetic concerns. Specifically, it uses metal braces or removable plastic aligners to improve the position and appearance of your teeth and jaw.
If you have misaligned teeth or a malpositioned bite, it increases the risk of more serious oral health problems like cavities and gum disease. Orthodontic treatment can significantly reduce the risk of these and other issues.
What factors affect the size and appearance of the jaw?
There are several factors that affect the size and appearance of your jaw, including genetics, how you breathe, and what you eat.
Habits like thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, and mouth breathing can also affect the development of your jaw, increasing the risk of potentially serious alignment issues.
What types of issues can airway focused orthodontic treatment address?
Dr. Koch uses airway focused orthodontic treatment to address various alignment issues, including:
- Crooked teeth
- Crowding
- Overbite
- Underbite
- Crossbite
- Overjet
- Jaw misalignments
You might also benefit from orthodontic treatment if you have visible gaps or spaces between your teeth.
What are the types of airway focused orthodontic treatment?
At Advanced Dental Care of East Texas, Dr. Koch offers airway focused orthodontic treatment with ClearCorrect® removable aligners and the Tréz MaxComfort system.
These types of orthodontic treatment are unique in that they never require extractions. Instead, they use custom oral appliances to place gradual pressure on your teeth and jaw, slowly moving them into the optimal position over time.
ClearCorrect aligners and the Tréz MaxComfort system are easy to adjust to. They fit snugly over your teeth and require no pre-preparation or extractions.
What does airway focused orthodontic treatment involve?
Airway focused orthodontic treatment begins with a comprehensive oral exam. During the exam, Dr. Koch assesses several factors, including your:
- Lip posturing
- Sleep habits
- Jaw development
- TMJ function
- Swallow pattern
- Speech
- Tooth alignment
- Facial growth aesthetics
- Range of jaw motion
Dr. Koch also analyzes your nasal and oral airways.
If Dr. Koch determines that you’re a good candidate for airway focused orthodontic treatment, he takes a series of digital impressions using an intraoral scanner. Dr. Koch uploads your scans to a computer design program and develops a custom care plan that aligns with your individual needs.
After approving an orthodontic treatment plan, he sends your designs to a dental laboratory that manufactures your first set of aligners. About a week later, you return to the office and try them on. Dr. Koch then provides you with a list of care instructions.
How long does airway focused orthodontic treatment take?
The length of time that airway focused orthodontic treatment takes depends on the issues being treated and your adherence to Dr. Koch’s plan.
Most people complete treatment in 24* months but it can take up to 36 months. To encourage a positive outcome, wear your aligners for 20-22 hours each day, only removing them to eat or brush your teeth.
Dr. Koch’s goal is to create physical harmony and symmetry that yields an attractive smile while providing space and balance for airway functionality.
To learn more about orthodontic treatment, make an appointment at Advanced Dental Care
of East Texas, by calling the nearest office or clicking the online booking feature.
*Individual results may vary.
