When your airway is restricted it is a big problem.
There are some signs that can provide a clue. Put a pinky finger in each ear with the pad of the finger pointing forward. Open and close your mouth. If there is tenderness, or clicking, or any non-smooth sensation as you open and close, this is an indication that your mandible is too far back.
Some other important signs of a restricted airway are:
- not waking up refreshed
- clenching or grinding your teeth
- waking up in the middle of the night startled or gasping
- acid reflux
- teeth fracturing
- teeth imprints on the sides of your tongue
- generalized recession of your gums or indentations of the teeth at the gum line (abfractions)
Our New 3D Vatech Scanner
- sensitive teeth
- bladder urgency
- daytime sleepiness
- heart disease
- hypertension
- poor profile
- head forward of your shoulder
- chronic neck and shoulder problems
- snoring
- tongue-tie
Today we are fortunate in having 3D X-ray scans that allow us to measure your airway opening and to measure the volume of airway space.
22-year-old Cynthia recently came into my office with a number of concerns. Cynthia was not happy with her profile, she suffered from headaches and from other health issues as well.
The cause of her less than desirable profile, and her headaches, stemmed from her orthodontic treatment. An orthodontist had removed the two permanent teeth behind Cynthia’s eye teeth because she had “buck teeth.” He then brought the buck teeth back. The problem was not that her upper teeth were out too far, the problem was her lower jaw was trapped back because her upper jaw was too narrow, like trying to put your foot into a shoe that has a too narrow toe box and is two sizes too small. Fortunately, the problem can be corrected.
The information presented is for educational purposes only. Please consult a qualified dentist or health practitioner for diagnosis and treatment.