Using orthodontic methods to treat Sleep Apnea at Wu Orthodontics

If you’re constantly feeling tired throughout the day and your bed partner complains about your snoring, you may have sleep apnea. A disrupted night’s sleep can affect the mood and concentration of both you and your family, and may damage your health in the long-term. If you or a member of your family suffers from excessive snoring or sleep apnea, it may surprise you to learn that specialist orthodontic treatment can help.

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea, also known as Obstructive Sleep Apnoea, is a disorder caused by the muscles at the back of the throat relaxing too much, partially closing off the airway. This can occur as many as 30 times per hour during sleep, and results in snorting or snoring as your body tries to regain its oxygen levels. Your brain is also alerted to this lack of oxygen, which temporarily wakes you up, thus creating a cycle of poor quality sleep and excessive tiredness throughout the day.

How would I know if I or a family member has Sleep Apnea?

Sleep Apnea can present itself in a variety of ways, but the most common signs include:

  • Loud and excessive snoring at night
  • Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
  • Frequent night waking, feeling short of breath
  • Snorting or choking sounds throughout the night
  • Extreme daytime sleepiness
  • Feeling constantly drowsy throughout the day
  • Morning headaches

Sleep apnea often goes undiagnosed, as no blood tests are available to confirm the disorder, and most doctors cannot detect it during routine assessments.

How Wu Orthodontics can help treat Sleep Apnea

There are many lifestyle changes that can help those who suffer from sleep apnea – these include exercise, weight loss and limiting alcohol intake. However, in more serious cases, the condition can be treated with the help of specialist orthodontic methods.

Dr. Wu is well versed in the field of treating sleep apnea, and, depending on the outcome of your initial assessment, may recommend one of the following options to help treat the disorder:

  • Rapid Palatal Expander – this device is generally used on patients who have very narrow upper jaws and, as a result, struggle breathing through their nose. The appliance expands the jaw and the floor of the nose, creating more nasal volume. This method is particularly effective in treating sleep apnea for children.
  • Distraction Osteogenesis For Maxillary Expansion (DOME) – created at Stanford University, DOME is used to expand the upper jaw in adults. The appliance improves nasal breathing by providing space for the tongue and transforming a narrow, high-arched palate into a dome-shape palate.
  • Orthognathic Surgery – also known as Maxillomandibular Advancement, this surgical orthodontic treatment is recommended for patients with severe sleep apnea. This option is usually combined with braces treatment and has been proven to be the most effective surgical treatment for those suffering with sleep apnea.

For severe cases, we recommend orthognathic surgery in conjunction with braces, which has been proven to be the most effective surgical treatment for sleep apnea.

Sleep easy with Wu Orthodontics

To ascertain what treatment is best to treat your (or a family member’s) sleep apnea, we recommend booking a full in-practice consultation with our Specialist Orthodontist, Dr. Wu. He will undertake a full assessment to understand your needs and ensure a restful night’s sleep is just around the corner.

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What Our Patients Are Saying

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I'm so happy with my new smile! Dr Wu Orthodontist and their team were truly dedicated to achieving the best possible results. From the initial consultation to the final day, the entire experience was positive. The orthodontist and staff were always attentive to my needs and concerns.

Flowerroadbbvip Tueme

My daughter just finished her treatment and the result is just perfect. I was Dr. Wu’s patient long time and am still very happy with my result after many years. That’s why I brought my daughter here when she was ready for the orthodontist treatment. Dr. Wu and his staff are always nice and accommodating. They always explain everything clearly and make sure you understand the purpose of each step, which I like a lot. They are also very accommodating for emergency treatment if the bracket is broken or fall off.

Miao Zhang

Wu Orthodontics Is Conveniently Located In Palo Alto CA

Dr. Eric Wu and his team provide quality orthodontic care with Pitts21 Bracket System and Invisalign® for patients of all ages in the Palo Alto area including Los Altos, Menlo Park, Stanford, Atherton, Mountain View, Woodside, and Redwood City California. Contact our office for your initial “Smile Evaluation” consultation.