Airway Management Portland
A Healthy Airway Leads to a Healthier You
Your mouth and throat are vital parts of your upper airway. Unfortunately, many people have anatomical abnormalities that interfere with proper breathing, especially at night. If that is true of you or your child, you might benefit from the airway management services available from Dr. Teasdale and our Portland team. What is airway management, and what can you expect from it? Continue reading this page to find out. You are also welcome to contact us to ask questions.
Who Can Benefit from Airway Management?
Airway management can benefit patients of virtually all ages who have a narrow or obstructed upper airway, which may be due to loose tissues in the throat, problems with jaw development, or other factors.
In children, upper airway problems may manifest themselves in symptoms like behavioral issues, dark circles under their eyes, and bedwetting. You may also notice that they snore, sometimes experience pauses in breathing while asleep, or often complain of being tired.
In adults, symptoms can also include snoring, tiredness, and pauses in breathing during sleep (a condition known as sleep apnea). Mood swings, irritability, high blood pressure, sexual dysfunction, and poor reaction times can also occur.
How We Treat Airway Deficiency
Dr. Teasdale and our team want to address the root causes of airway deficiency, not merely address its symptoms. In order to do so, we may recommend one of the following treatments:
- This is a unique oral appliance system that gently reshapes the jaws in order to widen the upper airway. It can also train the lower jaw to rest in the proper position. A full course of treatment may take 1 – 2 years, but it can often provide permanent results.
- QuiteNite laser treatment. This is a non-invasive therapy that uses a laser to tighten loose tissues in the throat. It also stimulates the production of collagen, an important structural protein. Periodic touch-up treatments may be necessary in order to maintain results.
- Braces, clear aligners, and other orthodontic appliances may be necessary in order to bring your oral structures into harmony. This can reduce airway problems during sleep.
Surgical Treatment vs. Appliance Therapy
In some cases, surgical intervention is the best way to address airway abnormalities. For example, a doctor might correct a deviated septum or perform corrective jaw surgery. Such procedures can, in some cases, provide permanent relief from airway problems.
However, it is understandable if you are reluctant to commit to an invasive procedure, especially when more conservative options may be available. Dr. Teasdale and our team can evaluate your airway and formulate a professional opinion on how you can experience the best results with as little inconvenience as possible.
Airway Management FAQs
What Are the Dangers of Breathing and Respiration Being Out of Alignment?
When breathing and respiration are not working as they should, it may lead to a shift in your body chemistry. As a result, you might experience a number of symptoms, including:
- Nausea, vomiting, cramping and bloating in your abdominal area.
- Both acute and chronic fatigue.
- Heart problems, possibly including palpitations.
- Cognitive problems, which may include attention deficit disorders, learning challenges, poor memory, brain fog, and more.
- Poor emotional health. This could be marked by feelings of anxiety, anger, fear, and panic.
- Dizziness, fainting, and a reduction in balance and coordination.
- Muscle pains.
- Low performance at work due to sleep apnea, anxiety, and fatigue.
- Respiratory problems, including shortness of breath, airway resistance, and asthma-like symptoms
- Changes in sensory reactions. This might include changes in vision, dry mouth, and the feeling of sensory overload.
How Does Airway Management Treat Sleep Disorders?
Airway dentistry helps your upper airway to work in harmony with the rest of your body. It encourages the free exchange of vital gases and promotes healthy blood oxygen levels. These benefits can be especially noticeable at night.
For example, obstructive sleep apnea is a disorder where tissues in the throat block the flow of air. Airway dentistry can reduce or even completely eliminate such obstructions, leading to higher-quality sleep. Your partner may also notice that you do not snore as much as you previously did.
When Should Someone Avoid Airway Management Treatment?
When you visit us for a consultation, Dr. Teasdale and our team can let you know whether our airway management services are right for you. First, we will carefully evaluate the positioning of your teeth, jaws, and other aspects of your upper airway. Dr. Teasdale will then provide a professional opinion on what your next steps should be.
If our airway management services may not be suitable for you, we may encourage you to seek treatment from another type of specialist. For example, some patients require surgical intervention to achieve optimum airway improvements.
Additionally, some patients with certain types of airway trauma, or who cannot open their mouth enough for airway access, may not currently be candidates for airway management.
Are There Any Potential Complications to Airway Management?
When airway management services are provided by a qualified practitioner, the level of risk is very low. Dr. Teasdale is an expert in how the upper airway works, and he uses non-invasive, non-pharmaceutical approaches to care that have an impressive track record of success.
Of course, surgical approaches to airway management are a bit riskier. For example, there is a chance of infection. If you require surgery, your care provider can discuss such considerations with you so you can make a well-informed decision about how to move forward.
How Does Airway Dysfunction Affect Oral Health?
If you have bruxism caused by airway dysfunction, you can experience various oral health issues as well. This includes abfractions, or loss of the tooth structure, cracks in the teeth, bone loss, mobility of the teeth, oral discomfort, and early tooth loss. By treating airway dysfunction and reducing or eliminating bruxism, you can prevent it from wreaking havoc on your smile.
How Can I Tell If I Have an Airway Dysfunction or a Sleep Apnea?
It can be difficult to pinpoint the cause of your symptoms. This is because many symptoms can be associated with both conditions. For instance, if you experience constant fatigue, even when you think you have got a good amount of sleep, this isn’t normal. Both sleep apnea and airway dysfunction can result in this symptom. When one has sleep apnea, snoring and waking up gasping for air is common. Frequent headaches and irritability are also common. The best way to determine which condition ails you is to give us a call so we can schedule an appointment to discuss your unique case.
What Is Airway Dentistry?
Airway dentistry is a field of dentistry that has a focus on the function of a patient’s oral structure and its relation to breathing. Your dentist looks for sleep-disordered breathing by detecting mouth breathing while you are sleeping. These indicators include teeth wearing, the position of the tongue, and the condition of the soft tissue of the mouth. This way, a treatment plan can be created to best meet your individual needs and help you get the rest you need at night to thrive during the day.
Can Teeth Grinding Create Airway Problems?
Something many people may not think about is how teeth grinding affects the function of the airway. The nervous system impacts the heart rate, muscles around the jaw, and the nasal passages. Some of the signals that initiate teeth grinding could also increase congestion and airway restriction, resulting in or worsening disordered breathing.