What Makes an Airway Dentist Different from a Regular Dentist

An airway dentist focuses on the connection between oral health and proper airway function, offering a unique approach to dental care that goes beyond traditional treatments. While a regular dentist primarily addresses oral health issues such as cavities, gum disease, and tooth alignment, an airway dentist specifically targets the underlying factors affecting breathing and airway obstruction. Evaluating and treating the airway as part of a patient's overall health can help alleviate sleep apnea, improve breathing, and enhance the quality of life.

The role of an airway dentist

An airway dentist specializes in recognizing and treating conditions that impact the airway, particularly those that can lead to breathing problems during sleep, such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). An airway dentist's role is to diagnose and treat issues related to the airway, including assessing how the teeth, jaw, and mouth structures affect breathing. Airways dentists often collaborate with sleep specialists, orthodontists, and other healthcare providers to ensure comprehensive care for patients suffering from breathing-related problems.

Airway dentists use various diagnostic tools to evaluate the patient's breathing patterns and jaw structure. They may employ advanced imaging techniques, such as 3D scans, to assess the alignment of the jaw and teeth, which can impact airflow and enhance the patient's quality of life.

The role of a regular dentist

A regular dentist, or general dentist, performs routine dental care, including diagnosing and treating oral diseases and conditions and addressing cosmetic concerns. This includes cavity fillings, root canals, tooth extractions, teeth whitening, and preventative services such as cleaning exams. The focus of a regular dentist is to maintain the health and function of teeth and gums while also preventing oral diseases. These practitioners generally provide comprehensive dental care and focus on preserving oral health through regular checkups and cleanings.

However, they do not focus on the airway or how it may impact overall health. If a patient presents with breathing or sleep issues, the dentist may refer them to a specialist, such as an airway dentist or an ear, nose, and throat doctor (ENT).

Key differences between an airway dentist and a regular dentist

While airway and regular dentists are in the same field and may offer similar services, there are a few differences that patients should be aware of, including:

Focus on airway health

While airway and general dentists focus on maintaining overall oral health, airway dentists go further by evaluating the airway's role in overall health. They can identify signs of airway obstruction, such as improper bite, jaw misalignment, or other structural issues affecting breathing. This proactive approach allows airway dentists to diagnose sleep apnea and other breathing issues that may not be immediately apparent in a standard dental exam.

Treatment of sleep apnea

According to the official CPAP website, sleep apnea is the second most common sleep disorder in the world. It is characterized as a condition that causes a person to repeatedly stop and start breathing while asleep, leading to a range of health issues. According to the American Medical Association, or AMA, roughly 30 million American adults currently have the disorder, but only six million have a formal diagnosis. Airway dentists are skilled in diagnosing sleep apnea and other breathing disorders, offering solutions such as oral appliances to keep the airway open during sleep. These oral devices reposition the jaw or tongue to prevent airway collapse and improve sleep quality. A regular dentist, on the other hand, may refer patients showing signs of sleep apnea to an airway dentist or sleep specialist for formal diagnosis and subsequent treatment.

A comprehensive approach to oral and systemic health

An airway dentist looks beyond the gums and teeth. They understand that dental health is intricately linked to overall health, particularly how the airway affects breathing and sleep patterns. An airway dentist may recommend treatments that enhance oral health and overall well-being, such as therapy to improve jaw alignment or recommendations for lifestyle changes that improve breathing during sleep. Regular dentists, however, primarily focus on treating dental issues such as cavities, fillings, and preventative care without addressing the airway's impact on systemic health.

Focus on jaw and facial structure

Airway dentists often specialize in the relationship between the jaw, facial structure, and airway health. They assess how misalignment of the jaw or other issues like temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder can contribute to breathing problems. Through treatments like orthodontics, dental appliances, or surgery, airway dentists aim to align the jaw and improve airflow, addressing any structural issues that could lead to difficulty breathing. A regular dentist may not have the skill set to address specific structural concerns unless they are directly related to oral health.

Consult a Onalaska airway dentist

An airway dentist provides specialized care that goes beyond the traditional scope of a regular dentist. While regular dentists focus on maintaining oral health, airway dentists address the critical link between oral health and airway function. Contact our Onalaska office to learn more or schedule a consultation.

Request an appointment here: https://siegertdental.com or call Siegert Dental at (608) 394-3943 for an appointment in our Onalaska office

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