The leading cause of upper airway restriction (UAR) and sleep apnea (SA) is a mouth that did not grow as large as nature intended it to. For a detailed description of how and why that happens, see my video on the main home page of this website. Here I want to review what can be done about it.

Now, if the root cause of UAR/SA is a mouth that is too small, then functional treatment has to address that issue (by definition, functional treatment means treating the root cause). In other words, make the mouth bigger.

Traditionally the only way to really accomplish that has been to surgically separate and reposition the jawbones, holding them in their new corrected position with screws and metal plates. And though this is the most invasive option and one most people would prefer to avoid if possible, there are a few situations where this remains the only way to get it completely right.

Fortunately though, we now have a much less traumatic way to accomplish the same thing. It is called Biomimetic Arch Expansion (BAE). Though slower than the surgical option, BAE is a great non-invasive atraumatic option. With BAE, the jawbones are slowly and gently pushed and grown to their genetically intended shape and size. The average time required to accomplish this is usually around 12 to 18 months. After that it is often necessary to finish with another 6-12 months or so of orthodontic treatment to finetune both the smile and the bite. It also worth mentioning that the VIVOS expansion appliance we use is the only appliance of any kind with FDA approval for severe as well as mild and moderate sleep apnea.

To learn whether arch expansion is a good fit for you, give us a call – 855-553-7566 – to schedule a free consultation.

855-553-7566 Or Smiles@DrLonPeckham.com

with Functional Sleep Medicine.

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