Using a combination of orthodontics, dental procedures, and oral appliances, Airway-Centered Dentistry is a more comprehensive approach to oral health, taking into account the importance of a healthy airway for your entire body.
Sleep Apnea & Airway Dentistry
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Airway-Centered Dentistry at Dr. Ian Gray Dental Group
The Key to Health
What happens if your airway never developed properly or becomes compromised in some way? It can have serious consequences for health, including:
Obstructive sleep apnea
Respiratory
problems
Chronic sinus infections
Tooth decay and gum disease
Cardiovascular health risks
Your airway delivers life-giving oxygen to your blood. Without it, your brain, heart, lungs, and other essential organs would simply shut down. That’s how vital your airway is.
Poor Airway Development Affects Adults & Children
We Aim to:
Promote Proper Facial Development in Kids
Improve Dental Health
Boost Sleep Quality
Correct Sleep-Disordered Breathing
Eliminate Facial Pain
Encourage Nose Breathing over Mouth Breathing
Stop Snoring
Eliminate TMD Symptoms
Hear from real patients, just like you!
"Thank you for taking away my pain"
5 years ago, Dr. Gray suggested I start a procedure that would align my jaw, as I was starting to experience some jaw pain and headaches and these would only get worse with time. I did not listen. Fast forward 5 years, my jaw pain was worse, especially through the night, and more frequent headaches. In July, I decided it was time to start the process. Easily within a month, my jaw pain and headaches were not just lessening, but pretty much gone. I would highly recommend anyone experiencing this as well, to definitely go ahead with this process. Thank you to Dr Gray and Felicia for taking away my pain, helping me sleep better again, and the care and concern you’ve shown during my visits.
– Corina L.
"I can't wait to live pain-free"
I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Gray and his team today. Emma and Tooba, thank you for making me feel better going over my treatment plan. I can’t wait to get my smile back and live pain-free from my TMJ pain. Thank you, Dr. Gray for your detailed explanation!
– Nooria D.
"The larger picture we were looking for for our daughter"
We wish we took our 12-year-old here sooner. They care about the airway and breathing health, not just getting the teeth straight. That is the larger picture we were looking for for our daughter. Friendly staff, on time.
– Nervous Mom
Problems Associated with an Unhealthy Airway
Mouth Breathing
If the airway is undeveloped to the point where nose breathing is too difficult, the body compensates by forcing a person to breathe through their mouth. This is a problem because the nose acts like a filter to remove microscopic contaminants and clean the air before it enters the lungs. Mouth breathing also causes the soft tissues inside the mouth to dry out, allowing bacteria to grow because there is no saliva to wash them away. More bacteria means tooth decay, gum disease, and other infections.
Sleep-Disordered Breathing
An underdeveloped airway makes maintaining proper airflow during sleep impossible. The airway may be too narrow or restricted, which causes mouth breathing, loud snoring, frequent waking, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). When sleep quality suffers, quality of life suffers as well. OSA in particular is directly linked to a higher risk of hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
TMJ Disorders
You can’t talk about airway health without addressing TMJ health and jaw development. If the airway is not large enough, the jaw will develop improperly, resulting in extra stress on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Symptoms of a TMJ disorder include frequent headaches, difficulty chewing, jaw tension, facial pain, ear pain, and neck pain.
For more information about Sleep Apnea & Airway Dentistry
Jaw Pain? Let’s take care of that for you!
At Dr. Ian Gray Dental Group, we specialize in getting people out of pain. Just listen to what Asha has to say about her experience.
Jaw pain, neck pain, face pain, ear pain… all of these are common with TMJ disorders. If the pain you experience starts to get worse or spread, you need to contact Dr. Gray ASAP! With the proper treatment, you could be living totally pain free in no time, just like Asha!
Airway health matters to young, developing children
Early intervention ensures that a child’s airway develops properly and prevents potential developmental and breathing problems during childhood, which have health consequences that reach into adolescence and adulthood.
Treating airway deficiencies in young children prevents the need for braces down the road and reduces their risk of developing respiratory problems, including allergies and asthma.