Airway Orthodontics in Walnut Creek, CA
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Contact UsWhat Is Airway Orthodontics?
At Life Dental & Orthodontics, our team is committed to looking beyond the surface of dental care. Airway orthodontics goes beyond just addressing the misalignment of your teeth or bite but aims to treat underlying issues that can affect your overall health and well-being. Our dental office in Walnut Creek, CA offers airway orthodontics to both adults and children, helping patients in our community discover and effectively treat underlying issues linked to a restricted airway. To learn more about our unique approach to orthodontics, connect with a member of our team without delay to schedule a consultation.
What Are the Benefits of Airway Orthodontics?
Airway orthodontics offers a range of benefits that can improve both your health and quality of life. By focusing on proper jaw alignment and breathing, this treatment provides lasting results that go beyond a straight smile. Some of the benefits of airway orthodontics at Life Dental & Orthodontics include:
- Enhances airflow for easier breathing
- Reduces snoring and sleep apnea symptoms
- Improves sleep quality and energy levels
- Promotes better facial development in children
- Decreases the likelihood of future dental or health issues
Who is a Candidate for Airway Orthodontics?
A candidate for airway orthodontics at Life Dental & Orthodontics may include individuals who experience symptoms of airway obstruction, such as chronic mouth breathing, snoring, or sleep apnea. Children with developmental issues related to their jaw or facial structure, which may contribute to airway problems, are also prime candidates. Those with improper tongue posture, difficulty sleeping, or frequent fatigue during the day may benefit from this treatment as well. Airway orthodontics aims to address these concerns by improving the structure of the jaw and airway to promote better breathing and overall health.
How Does Airway Orthodontics Work?
Airway Orthodontics – Our Unique Approach
Because the position of the jaws and teeth can dramatically affect the function of the airway, typical orthodontic treatment can result in a smaller, restricted airway, with less room for the tongue. Restricted airways can cause a host of health concerns, including snoring, sleep apnea, and fatigue, which can eventually cause strokes, high blood pressure, depression, and more.
Conversely, in our office, any treatment done will ensure that we preserve or improve the airway function. Each patient with a restricted airway will have a customized treatment plan created for them to address this problem. By combining moving teeth, widening the dental arches, and/or guiding facial growth (Orthotropics®), the airway can be preserved and in some cases, even enlarged.
The office of Life Dental & Orthodontics offers several orthodontic treatments. We take the unique approach of treating you in such a way that your airway remains clear, improving both your smile and your ability to breathe. We want to address the root of the problem, not just provide you with appliances. Our treatments are available to children and adults with sleep apnea problems.
Life Dental & Orthodontics Reviews
Absolutely love this place! Friendly and accommodating staff and I really appreciate Dr Hockel’s knowledge of what’s going on with not only my teeth, but how it all works together with my airway and everything else too!
I was referred to Dr Hockel and his staff for braces and a spacer, to get my mouth aligned for a major reconstructive jaw/airway surgery. Wow, just WOW! Dr Hockel is also an airway specialist and takes Ortho to another level I did not know we existed! He and his team are amazing and I actually look forward to going in for my appointments. I cannot recommend this place highly enough!
I was incredibly impressed by Dr. Hockel and his team. Not only is this a very well run outfit, but the approach he takes is very holistic and he takes into consideration things like air way and sleep quality! Unfortunately this kind of broad thinking isn’t widely available in conventional orthodontics/dentistry, which makes this business a rare find!
I came to Doctor Hockel due to problems with sleep apnea. He diagnosed a narrow palate and some other issues that ultimately are obstructing my airway and recommended a course of palate expansion (upper and lower) before going for more extensive surgery to correct problems with my jaw. It's been really great working with him and his staff! They're all extremely knowledgeable and very helpful. They've answered every question I had and taken the time to explain what's being done each time (in what's going to be a couple-year-long process.) They're definitely using the latest tools and techniques and I feel completely comfortable with whatever they recommend. All in all, a *really* great dentist! [Edit from 2+ years in the future - 10/18/2023] I had my jaw surgery (total TMJ replacement and MMA (Maxillomandibular advancement, to move the upper teeth forward) in St Louis in May (via the only surgeon Dr Hockel trusts to do the surgery, who really is great) and returned to Dr Hockel's care in late June. Sleep apnea is cured, my bite was lined up and everything went well. Today was a great day - I got my braces off! We're now in the process of stabilizing the teeth with a retainer, but they look great and feel even better, with everything in my bite closing in the right places and all the teeth nice and straight and even. Dr Hockel's staff were awesome as usual - I showed up 20 minutes early and they said "come right in!" and we got to work. If you ever need to deal with airway issues (or indeed with orthodontia and other dental procedures), definitely give Life Dental and Orthodontics a call. They're the best!
I took my young boys to Life dental & Orthodontics because they were airway focused and that was really important for a family! We were mostly helped with Katie the RDA and she was so great with the boys made everything fun and super patient with them. I also really appreciated how in-depth Dr. Hockel explained everything to myself and our kids. My boys can get easily overwhelmed and he had such gentle and calm energy throughout the whole process! I really appreciated that! Highly recommend this team! :) Jessie at the front desk is also super helpful and sweet!
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Airway-focused Dental Care
Life Dental & Orthodontics takes a unique approach to dental care. We believe that airway-focused dental care improves not only your oral health but your overall health. We have extensive experience in treating the root cause of dental problems through airway orthodontics, frequently improving the quality of life of individuals in our community. To schedule a consultation at our Walnut Creek, CA office, call today.
The Life Dental & Orthodontics Difference
Airway Orthodontics FAQs
Can airway orthodontics help with snoring and sleep apnea?
Yes, airway orthodontics can be an effective treatment for snoring and mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. By expanding the palate and adjusting the position of the jaw, the treatment can increase airway space, reducing airway obstruction during sleep. This often leads to a significant reduction in snoring and improvements in sleep apnea symptoms.
How long does airway orthodontic treatment typically last?
The duration of airway orthodontic treatment varies depending on the complexity of the case and the specific issues being addressed. Generally, treatment can last anywhere from 18 to 36 months. Regular follow-up appointments are scheduled to monitor progress and make adjustments to the treatment plan as needed.
How does our team ensure the stability of results from airway orthodontics?
Stability of results is ensured through careful planning and execution of the treatment plan, regular monitoring during treatment, and appropriate use of retainers post-treatment. The clinic emphasizes the importance of patient compliance with all follow-up care instructions to maintain the benefits of airway orthodontics.