Orthodontics & Sleep Apnea: How Braces or Aligners Can Improve Breathing

Sleep apnea is a serious condition that affects millions of people, causing disrupted breathing, poor sleep quality, and long-term health issues. While many people associate orthodontics with straightening teeth, few realize that braces and Invisalign can also play a role in improving airflow and reducing sleep apnea symptoms.

At Reynolds & Stoner Orthodontics, we believe that a well-aligned bite isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s also about overall health. Here’s how orthodontic treatment can help patients in Greensboro breathe better and sleep more soundly.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep due to airway obstruction or improper muscle function. The most common type is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which occurs when the airway becomes blocked, usually by soft tissue collapsing at the back of the throat.

Common Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

• Loud snoring
• Waking up gasping or choking
• Chronic fatigue and daytime sleepiness
• Morning headaches
• Difficulty concentrating
• Dry mouth or sore throat upon waking

If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to serious health issues, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and decreased oxygen levels during sleep.

How Can Orthodontics Help Sleep Apnea?

Many cases of mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea are linked to jaw misalignment, narrow airways, or improper tongue posture. Orthodontic treatment can reposition the jaw and teeth, which may help open the airway and improve breathing.

Ways Braces or Aligners Can Improve Airflow

Expanding the Upper Jaw (Palate Expansion)

• Narrow dental arches can lead to a smaller airway, making it harder to breathe during sleep.
• Palatal expanders or braces can widen the upper jaw, allowing more room for proper airflow.

Correcting Overbites and Underbites

• Severe overbites (deep bites) can push the lower jaw backward, reducing airway space.
• Braces or Invisalign can properly align the bite, allowing the tongue and jaw to rest in a position that keeps the airway open.

Adjusting Jaw Position for Better Tongue Posture

• If the lower jaw is too small or positioned too far back (retrognathia), it can cause the tongue to block the airway during sleep.
• Orthodontic treatment can shift the jaw into a more natural position, reducing airway obstruction.

Creating More Space for the Tongue

• Crowded or misaligned teeth can force the tongue into a restricted position, increasing the risk of airway blockage.
• By straightening the teeth and aligning the bite, orthodontic treatment provides more space for the tongue to rest comfortably.

Braces vs. Invisalign for Sleep Apnea: Which Works Best?

Both traditional braces and Invisalign can be effective in improving airflow, depending on the cause of the obstruction.

Braces for Sleep Apnea

• Best for jaw misalignment, severe crowding, or deep bites
• Often used in children and teens when early intervention can guide proper jaw development
• Can be combined with palatal expanders for even better airway improvement

Invisalign for Sleep Apnea

• Ideal for mild to moderate cases where jaw repositioning is needed
• More comfortable and discreet than braces
• Can be a great option for adults with sleep apnea who need orthodontic correction

When to Consider Orthodontics for Sleep Apnea

If you or your child experience symptoms of sleep apnea, an orthodontic evaluation can help determine whether misaligned teeth or jaw structure may be contributing to the problem.

• Does your child snore or breathe through their mouth while sleeping?
• Do they have a small jaw or a narrow palate?
• Have they been diagnosed with sleep-disordered breathing?

For children, early orthodontic intervention can reshape the jaw and palate while they are still growing, helping prevent future sleep apnea issues.

For adults, orthodontic treatment can improve bite alignment and jaw position, sometimes reducing the severity of sleep apnea or making other treatments (like CPAP therapy) more effective.

Orthodontics & Sleep Apnea: A Collaborative Approach

While braces and Invisalign can help improve breathing, orthodontic treatment alone may not be enough for severe cases of sleep apnea. In many situations, orthodontists work alongside sleep specialists, ENT doctors, and dentists to develop a comprehensive treatment plan.

Additional treatments may include:

• CPAP therapy (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)
• Oral sleep appliances that reposition the jaw
• Lifestyle changes like weight management and sleep posture adjustments
• Surgical interventions for severe cases

At Reynolds & Stoner Orthodontics, we collaborate with other healthcare providers to ensure that patients with sleep apnea receive the best possible care for both their orthodontic and breathing concerns.

Better Sleep Starts with Better Alignment

If you or your child struggle with snoring, restless sleep, or breathing issues at night, orthodontic treatment might be part of the solution. Aligning the teeth and jaw not only improves smiles but also supports healthy breathing patterns that can lead to better sleep and overall well-being.

At Reynolds & Stoner Orthodontics, we offer personalized orthodontic solutions to help Greensboro families achieve straighter teeth, healthier airways, and better sleep.

If you think orthodontic treatment could help with sleep apnea, contact us to schedule a consultation. Our team will evaluate your bite, jaw alignment, and airway to determine the best course of action for your smile and overall health.