Improved Respiratory Health:

By encouraging nasal breathing, myofunctional orthodontics reduces the risk of respiratory issues and sleep-disordered breathing, which can significantly impact overall health. Nasal breathing filters and humidifies the air, reducing the likelihood of allergies and infections.

Corrected Swallowing Patterns:

Addressing improper swallowing habits improves nutrition and promotes better facial development. Patients with corrected swallowing patterns often experience more balanced facial aesthetics and improved overall function.

Stable Maxillary Arch Development:

Myofunctional orthodontics helps create a stable upper jaw arch and prevents crowding in the lower front teeth. In many cases, traditional braces or long-term retainers may be unnecessary, simplifying the patient’s orthodontic care.

Holistic Orthodontics | Cape Fear Smiles

A Comprehensive Approach to Dental and Craniofacial Growth

Holistic Airway Orthodontics

Holistic airway orthodontics, also known as myofunctional orthodontics, takes a preventive and whole-body approach to addressing the root causes of orthodontic issues. Instead of solely focusing on teeth alignment through traditional braces, holistic airway orthodontics emphasizes correcting problems in the muscles of the mouth and face to promote optimal dental and craniofacial growth.

What is Holistic Airway Orthodontics/Myofunctional Orthodontics?

Myofunctional orthodontics targets the underlying causes of crooked teeth, such as poor oral posture and improper muscle function. By addressing these issues, it helps align the teeth, optimize facial development, and support better airway health. This method uses gentle, intermittent forces instead of the constant pressure exerted by traditional braces, guiding teeth into their proper position while enhancing muscle coordination and promoting the correct function of the tongue and lips.

One key focus is ensuring enough space in the upper jaw for the tongue to rest comfortably, which encourages nasal breathing and helps maintain a closed-lip posture. These factors are crucial for improving respiratory health and reducing the risk of sleep-disordered breathing.

How Does Holistic Airway Orthodontics/Myofunctional Orthodontics Work?

Myofunctional orthodontics is tailored to each patient and follows a structured approach throughout their development, from early childhood into adolescence and beyond. The treatment involves using removable intra-oral appliances for short periods each day and during sleep, combined with a comprehensive education program. This program helps correct poor habits such as mouth breathing, thumb-sucking, and improper swallowing, all of which can contribute to malocclusion (misaligned teeth) and improper facial growth.

Through guided exercises, patients strengthen their tongue and facial muscles, improve their swallowing technique, and develop proper oral posture. Early intervention, particularly between the ages of 5 and 8, can set the foundation for better facial growth and reduce the need for extensive orthodontic treatment later.

Benefits of Holistic Airway Orthodontics/ Myofunctional Orthodontics

Improved Respiratory Health:
By encouraging nasal breathing, myofunctional orthodontics reduces the risk of respiratory issues and sleep-disordered breathing, which can significantly impact overall health. Nasal breathing filters and humidifies the air, reducing the likelihood of allergies and infections.
Corrected Swallowing Patterns:
Addressing improper swallowing habits improves nutrition and promotes better facial development. Patients with corrected swallowing patterns often experience more balanced facial aesthetics and improved overall function.
Stable Maxillary Arch Development:
Myofunctional orthodontics helps create a stable upper jaw arch and prevents crowding in the lower front teeth. In many cases, traditional braces or long-term retainers may be unnecessary, simplifying the patient’s orthodontic care.

Holistic Airway Orthodontics: A Whole-Body Perspective

Holistic Airway orthodontics extends beyond teeth alignment, integrating general dental care with orthodontic treatments to ensure a well-rounded and personalized approach. Preventive care and patient education are key components of this approach. For children, early intervention and education on good oral hygiene habits are prioritized to avoid future orthodontic issues. For adults, regular check-ups and personalized treatments, such as clear aligners, support long-term dental health and overall well-being.

At Cape Fear Smiles, we focus on addressing the root causes of malocclusion, improving airway function, and promoting better overall health through myofunctional and holistic orthodontics. We welcome you to schedule a consultation and explore how this innovative approach can benefit you or your child.

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910-763-0931

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716 Medical Center Drive

Wilmington , NC, 28401

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