Airway Development

Normal Airways & Normal Breathing

Dentists at FDG have specific training and know-how that enables them to play a prominent role in managing the craniofacial formation and airway development and in growing children. We are deeply involved in managing the care and airways of patients of all ages with impaired respiration and sleep-related breathing disorders.

Airway Obstruction

It is a well-known fact that airway obstruction impairs one’s respiration. Upper airway obstruction can be subtle in children, but it can have long-term consequences, including failure to thrive, behavioral disturbances, sleep disorders and delayed development. Normal well-developed airways allow normal breathing through the nose with the mouth closed. Nasal breathing is important because it is now known to be vital to good health. Research has shown that air breathed through the nose is quite different to the body than air breathed through the mouth.

The benefits of nasal breathing begin within hours of birth when nasal nitric oxide gas can first be detected. Nitric oxide is a potent gas and a key component of human health. It is known to prevent bacterial growth and helps the lungs absorb oxygen. Nitric oxide also increases oxygen transport throughout the body and is vital to all body organs. A good airway and normal nasal breathing is important because nasal airway obstruction has profound effects on the whole body.

Early Treatment

Early dental diagnosis and treatment of airway dysfunction and craniofacial malformation starting early in life is essential. Current findings show that early orthodontic and orthopedic treatment has a positive impact on the airway and breathing, which can absolutely lead to a healthier and longer life.

Craniofacial Growth

Craniofacial growth is 80 to 90 percent complete by age twelve, so most formation and/or deformation occur by that age. Unfortunately, age 12 is still the average age that orthodontic and orthopedic treatment starts for most children, and the craniofacial problems that lead to airway dysfunction must be recognized and treated much earlier than in order to be dealt with most effectively. More attention needs to be placed on routine craniofacial examination, diagnosis and treatment beginning around age three.

Chronic Mouth Breathing

By the age of two or three, subtle dental signs of nasal obstruction and mouth breathing can be detected upon examination. Chronic mouth breathing has been shown to be four times more common in children with orthodontic abnormalities. Recognition and prevention of nasal incompetence in children and its treatment are important steps needed to ensure proper orthodontic stability and craniofacial growth. Early treatment is essential to normalizing growth and development and maximizes the success of corrective orthodontics and orthopedics.

Airway, Breathing and Malocclusion

Our Dentists are in the unique position of being able to screen young children for the recognizable signs and symptoms of mouth breathing, malocclusion, craniofacial anomalies and conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea. Early diagnosis of airway obstruction and the identification and treatment of its causes is essential in order to prevent severe growth abnormalities in young children. Early treatment of these conditions can be much more effective, simpler, and less expensive than later age care. For example, we utilize certain dental orthodontic appliances that can provide rapid maxillary expansion, a simple, conservative method of treating impaired nasal respiration in patients as young as three years old. The younger the patient is treated, the better the long-term results.

We will be happy to examine your young children to detect any airway related issues and propose the most effective method of resolving them- thus insuring the well-being of your child and proper treatment of any problems before they become more complicated and expensive to resolve.

Go back to Dental Services