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How can an orthodontist help me sleep better?

If you suspect your partner suffers from obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), let us help YOU sleep better! Your partner’s sleep should not come at your expense of yours.

Sleep apnoea is a multi-factorial problem and MyBracesClinic works with trained Sleep Medicine Clinicians and specialists (ENT, Paediatric Doctors and Oral Surgeons) to ensure proper diagnosis and management. Management of OSA should always start by diagnosing the causes of your OSA, and then formulating a plan to address the cause and level of airway blockage.

An Orthodontist can help Adults with Obstructive Sleep Apnea by:

  1. Referring to a trained Sleep Medicine Clinician like Dr Elaine Ng for screening and management of  non-surgical management of Obstructive Sleep Apnea using Mandibular Advancement Devices(MAD).
  2. Teamwork with Specialist Oral Surgeons to manage telegnathic jaw surgery to physically alter the face’s dimensions and open the airway.

An Orthodontist can help Children with Obstructive Sleep Apnea by:

  1. Palatal Expansion to widen the palate, which improves tongue positioning and nasal airflow.
  2. Mid-face Protraction in Growing Kids to advance retrusive/ small maxilla
  3. Lower jaw advancement (Mandibular advancement) in growing kids and teens

Management of Telegnathic Jaw Surgery for OSA:

Jaw surgery for sleep apnoea is an option when conservative alternatives have been unsuccessful or are too cumbersome and troublesome for patients to use on a long-term basis. When patients present with a short lower jaw and a retrusive chin, jaw surgery for sleep apnoea can target such contributing factors. Patients with moderate to severe OSA may require Telegnathic Surgery to permanently advance both the upper and lower jaws, as well as the chin. This achieves a dramatic, PERMANENT airway opening to help patients breathe better.

With telegnathic jaw surgery, your teeth need help to bite together in the new jaw position. Sometimes, your bite needs to be modified by an orthodontist to maximize the effect of telegnathic surgery. Therefore, an orthodontist‘s role in OSA management is coordinating with our highly experienced specialist oral surgeons to help you breathe, sleep, look, and bite better!

Non-Surigcal Management of OSA:

By working with a trained Sleep Medicine Clinician like Dr Elaine Ng, to screen the potential causes of your OSA, she can pinpoint the best way forward.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure is the go-to non-surgical route for OSA, but it is not the most comfortable nor easy machine to adapt to. Mandibular Advancement Devices (MAD) are good alternatives for moderate OSA as these devices are worn to sleep in the mouth like a retainer. MAD’s are portable, do not require electrical input, and you can turn around in your sleep. Make an appointment with Dr Elaine Ng to ascertain if you are a suitable candidate.

Related topics

Do I Need Jaw Surgery?

Do I Need Jaw Surgery?

If you have a skeletal jaw imbalance, your life may be affected in many ways. When the skeletal jaw imbalance becomes so severe that it is beyond the healthy. ‘Safe’  boundaries of camouflage orthodontics, such as corrective jaw surgery, are certainly an option.
Children and Teen Sleep Apnea

Children and Teen Sleep Apnea

Children and teens must get enough good quality sleep for optimal physical and mental development. Sadly, studies have shown that approximately 1-5% of children and teens have sleep apnea.

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