Airway Focused Dentistry
Supporting Healthy Breathing, Day and Night
Airway dentistry is one of Dr. Palmer’s specialites, focusing on how the structure of your mouth and jaw can affect your breathing. Our team looks at the big picture, screening for sleep-disordered breathing and signs of mouth breathing while you sleep. At KP Dentistry, our dentists work to improve your airway health using oral appliances, orthodontics, and other minimally invasive dental treatments designed to support better breathing and overall wellness.
Understanding Sleep Apnea: The Symptoms and Treatments
If you snore loudly or struggle to breathe while sleeping, you could be showing signs of sleep apnea, a serious condition where your breathing is interrupted during rest. Because your body and brain rely on a steady supply of oxygen, it’s important to recognize the symptoms and understand the different types and treatment options for sleep apnea.
Types of Sleep Apnea
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): The most common form, OSA happens when your airway becomes blocked, often due to the soft tissue at the back of the throat collapsing while you sleep.
- Central Sleep Apnea (CSA): This form occurs when the brain doesn’t send the proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. Problems with the respiratory control center are usually the cause.
Signs of Sleep Apnea
Identifying the presence of sleep apnea is the first step toward managing it. Watch for these common signs that may indicate the condition:
- Snoring
- Choking sounds (as if you are restarting your breathing pattern)
- Headaches upon waking up
- Falling asleep easily during the day
- Waking up short of breath at night
- Extreme drowsiness
- Insomnia or other difficulty sleeping
Technology and Treatments
Treatment for sleep apnea varies depending on each individual’s needs. Simple measures, like losing weight, quitting smoking, or sleeping on your side, may help reduce symptoms. If these approaches aren’t enough, oral devices can be used to gently reposition the lower jaw, helping to keep the airway open during sleep. At KP Dentistry, we use a variety of tools to help identify sleep apnea, including working with physicians to conduct sleep studies when needed.
Myofunctional Therapy
Myofunctional therapy is an exercise-based approach for the muscles of the mouth, tongue, and face, think of it as physical therapy, but for these areas. Our dentists can guide you through targeted exercises designed to improve breathing, speaking, chewing, and swallowing.
By practicing these techniques, you can train your body to rest in a more natural way, which may help:
- Treat mouth breathing
- Change your posture while your lips are closed
- Change your position while your teeth are closed
- Change your tongue muscles when resting against the top of your mouth
Ultimately, with Myofunctional Therapy, you can transform your appearance, narrowing the arches, and lengthening your facial structure to help with overall better breathing and airway control.
Make KP Dentistry your dental home.
We focus on overall health benefits, beyond dental and oral health. Our dentists at KP Dentistry complete extra courses and training to integrate dental health into your overall health. The base of proper oral care is so important, but it doesn’t stop there! From routine preventive cleanings, exams, x-rays, airway-focused dentistry, and restorative dental repairs, there is a lot of education that goes into making sure all these dental services are executed properly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What insurance do you accept?
KP Dentistry can bill most other insurances. Our staff is happy to answer any of your insurance questions, and we offer a complimentary benefits check. Please call the office for specific insurance questions.
What should I do in a dental emergency?
If you find yourself in a dental emergency, please call or email our office as soon as possible. We will do everything we can to help you in your time of need.
Are you accepting new patients?
Yes, we are accepting new patients in Williamston, MI, and Lansing, MI. If you need Preventive Dentistry, Family Dentistry, Airway Focused Dentistry, and other dental services, KP Dentistry is here to help!
Why should I choose KP Dentistry for my dental needs?
At KP Dentistry, we strive to be different by focusing on overall health benefits, beyond dental and oral health. Our dentists at KP Dentistry complete extra courses and training to integrate dental health into your overall health. The base of proper oral care is so important, but it doesn’t stop there!
What should I do if I lose a dental crown?
Depending on what type of dental crown you have, things happen, and they can come off on a rare occasion. If your crown does come off, please try to keep it and bring it with you to your appointment.
What is Airway Focused Dentistry?
Airway dentistry is a passion of Dr. Palmer’s, which focuses on the structure of the mouth and impacts your breathing. Our dentists take a big picture look for sleep disordered breathing, including looking for signs of mouth breathing while you're sleeping. At KP Dentistry, our airway dental specialists seek to address the airway structure problems using oral appliances, orthodontics, and other minimally invasive dental treatments.
Do you offer facial esthetics, such as Botox in your office?
Yes, Dr. Palmer is a certified Botox® provider and can use this treatment method to reduce or eliminate TMJ symptoms. Rising in popularity, Botox® is injected into the facial muscles and works to temporarily reduce muscle activity, helping to relieve jaw tension. Botox is considered a non-surgical procedure, and patients often report improvements within days of their first treatment. Botox may be your answer to TMJ pain, so contact us today to schedule your consultation.
What should I do if I crack a tooth?
KP Dentistry Dentists understand that a cracked tooth is painful! Please contact us to give us details on your cracked tooth right away!
About KP Dentistry:
KP Dentistry offers a full range of dental services. Alongside some of the best dentists in Williamson, MI, our goals are to uphold professionalism, provide care, and promote the education of our patients about oral health, all while helping our patients love their smiles!
Contact Us:
Phone: 517-655-2993
Fax: 517-580-5113
Info@KP-Dentistry.com
Call, Email, or use our appointment request form to book a consultation with our team.
Office Hours:
Monday: 7am - 4pm
Tuesday: 7am - 4pm
Wednesday: 7am - 4pm
Thursday: 8am - 4pm
Friday: Closed
Office Location:
1284 W Grand River Rd
Williamston, MI 48895