Airway Dentistry in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Transformative Dental Solutions

AAt DG Dental, Dr. Dory Green combines advanced technology with compassionate care, tailoring each treatment to your unique needs while upholding the highest standards of dental excellence.

About Airway Dentistry in Fort Lauderdale, FL

When you struggle to breathe properly during sleep, it affects far more than just your rest. Millions of Americans face airway-related sleep disorders that impact their daily energy, focus, and overall health. These breathing disruptions can lead to serious health complications, from cardiovascular issues to cognitive decline, making proper diagnosis and treatment essential for your well-being.

At DG Dental in Fort Lauderdale, we know the critical connection between your oral health and airway function. Dory Green, DMD, FAGD, brings extensive training in craniofacial sleep medicine and airway dentistry to help patients breathe easier and sleep better. Our approach addresses the root causes of airway obstruction, offering innovative solutions that go beyond traditional sleep medicine. We combine evidence-based treatments with cutting-edge technology to provide personalized care that improves both your sleep quality and overall health.

How The Airway Dentistry in Fort Lauderdale, FL Works

Understanding Airway Health and Its Impact

Your airway encompasses the entire pathway air travels from your nose to your lungs. When structural issues in your mouth, jaw, or throat restrict this pathway, it can cause breathing difficulties during sleep. These restrictions force your body to work harder for oxygen, disrupting your sleep cycles and preventing the rest your body needs to heal.

Common signs of airway problems include chronic snoring, morning headaches, daytime fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. Children may exhibit different symptoms such as bedwetting, behavioral issues, or mouth breathing. Left untreated, airway disorders can contribute to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and other conditions. Sleep apnea affects over 22 million Americans, yet many remain undiagnosed.

The relationship between oral structures and breathing is a complex one. Your tongue position, jaw alignment, and palate shape all influence airway dimensions. Even subtle changes in these structures can significantly impact your breathing patterns during sleep, making dental professionals uniquely qualified to identify and treat many airway issues.

The Hidden Dangers of Compromised Airways

Beyond the immediate effects on sleep quality, airway dysfunction creates a cascade of health problems throughout your body. When your brain repeatedly signals your body to wake up for air during the night, it triggers stress responses that elevate blood pressure and strain your heart. This chronic stress state affects hormone production, metabolism, and immune function, creating widespread health implications.

Many patients don’t realize their chronic health issues could stem from airway problems. Conditions like acid reflux, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain often improve significantly when underlying breathing issues are addressed. Children with airway restrictions may experience developmental delays, learning difficulties, and growth problems due to inadequate oxygen during critical sleep periods.

Advanced Airway Assessment and Diagnosis

At DG Dental, we utilize state-of-the-art diagnostic tools to thoroughly evaluate your airway health. Our comprehensive assessment begins with a detailed examination of your oral structures, facial development, and breathing patterns. We look for telltale signs such as tongue tie, narrow palates, or retrognathic jaw positions that may contribute to airway obstruction.

Our diagnostic process includes:

  • 3D cone beam imaging to visualize airway dimensions
  • Sleep screening questionnaires to identify risk factors
  • Evaluation of tonsil size and tongue position
  • Assessment of nasal breathing capacity
  • Review of medical history and sleep study results
  • Photographic documentation of oral structures
  • Acoustic pharyngometry to measure airway size

At DG Dental, our commitment is to provide a holistic approach to your health, accounting for every diagnostic step taken with precision and care. By using advanced technology with our expertise in oral and craniofacial structures, we aim to accurately identify the root causes of your airway issues, paving the way for effective, personalized treatment and a significant improvement in your overall well-being.

Collaborative Care Approach

We work with specialists and healthcare providers to ensure comprehensive care. This allows us to address all aspects of your airway health, from structural issues to functional breathing patterns. Dr. Green has completed hundreds of hours of continuing education, keeping us at the forefront of airway dentistry advances, ensuring you receive the most current, evidence-based treatments available.

Transform Your Sleep and Health at DG Dental

Living with untreated airway issues diminishes your quality of life and threatens your long-term health. The constant strain on your cardiovascular system, combined with poor sleep quality, affects every aspect of your daily functioning. At DG Dental, we’re committed to helping you breathe easier and live better through comprehensive airway dentistry.

Don’t let another night of poor sleep impact your health and happiness. Dr. Green and our experienced team provide personalized treatment plans that address your unique airway challenges. From your consultation through ongoing care, we support you every step of the way toward better breathing and restful sleep. Contact DG Dental today at (954) 524-2300 or schedule your airway assessment through our online contact form to start your journey to improved health and vitality.

 

Benefits Of Airway Dentistry in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Airway Dentistry Benefits

Our airway-focused treatments address the underlying causes of breathing difficulties rather than just managing symptoms. We offer various options tailored to each patient’s unique needs and anatomical considerations.

Oral Appliance Therapy involves custom-fitted devices that reposition your jaw and tongue to maintain an open airway during sleep. These FDA-approved appliances offer a comfortable, non-invasive alternative to CPAP machines for many patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea. Our devices are precisely calibrated to optimize your airway while maintaining comfort and protecting your jaw joints. We utilize advanced systems including MAPA, MAD/EMA, and OASYS appliances, each selected based on your specific anatomical needs.

Myofunctional Therapy retrains the muscles of your face, tongue, and throat to function properly. This therapeutic approach can improve tongue posture, strengthen airway muscles, and establish proper breathing patterns. We can refer you to certified myofunctional therapists who guide you through exercises that create lasting improvements in muscle tone and function. When combined with other treatments, myofunctional therapy offers lasting improvements in airway function.

Orthodontic airway expansion utilizes specialized techniques to widen narrow palates and create more space for proper tongue positioning. Our board-certified orthodontist, a Platinum Invisalign provider, can design treatment plans that improve both smile aesthetics and breathing function. 

This is particularly beneficial for growing children, whose facial development can be guided to promote optimal airway health. We utilize advanced systems, such as Vivos and ALF appliances, to achieve gentle and effective expansion.

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