When you think of a visit to the dentist, you might picture a routine cleaning, cavity check, or cosmetic consultation. But what if your dentist could help you sleep better, breathe easier, and even reduce your risk of chronic disease? That’s exactly what airway dentistry does—and it’s a growing focus at Sierra Smiles Complete Health Dentistry in Reno and Zephyr Cove, NV.
What Is Airway Dentistry?
Airway dentistry is an advanced approach that evaluates how well you breathe—especially during sleep—and how your oral and facial structures impact your airway. This field of dentistry doesn’t just look at your teeth and gums; it considers the connection between your mouth, jaw, throat, and respiratory health.
Restricted or collapsed airways can contribute to numerous issues, including:
- Sleep apnea and chronic snoring
- Daytime fatigue
- Mood disturbances
- High blood pressure
- Increased risk for heart disease and stroke
- Developmental issues in children
Airway dentistry aims to identify and treat these issues using advanced diagnostics and minimally invasive therapies that improve airflow and breathing patterns.
Why Your Airway Matters More Than You Think
The way you breathe—especially while you sleep—affects every system in your body. Sleep-disordered breathing, like obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), leads to repeated pauses in breathing that prevent restful, oxygen-rich sleep. This lack of oxygen stresses your body and contributes to inflammation, hormonal imbalances, and systemic health conditions.
Common symptoms of airway issues include:
- Snoring or gasping during sleep
- Chronic fatigue or daytime drowsiness
- Frequent headaches or migraines
- TMJ pain or teeth grinding
- Difficulty concentrating
- Bedwetting or behavioral issues in children
Many people are unaware that these symptoms are rooted in an airway disorder—and even fewer realize that their dentist can help.
How Sierra Smiles Approaches Airway Health
At Sierra Smiles, airway health is a cornerstone of our Complete Health Dentistry model. We believe that your mouth is a window into your overall health, and we use the latest technology to evaluate your breathing patterns and identify potential airway restrictions.
Our team offers:
- Sleep screenings and home sleep tests
- CBCT scans (3D imaging) to assess airway size and shape
- Oral appliances like the Vivos System and Silent Nite® for sleep apnea treatment
- Myofunctional therapy to retrain breathing and tongue posture
- Referrals to trusted specialists when necessary
By treating the root cause of your airway dysfunction—not just the symptoms—we help you experience life-changing improvements in your energy, focus, and long-term health.
Airway Dentistry for Children: Setting the Stage for Lifelong Wellness
Airway-focused dental care is especially important for children. If your child breathes through their mouth, snores, has trouble sleeping, or struggles with attention or mood issues, their airway may be compromised.
Early evaluation and intervention can help guide proper facial development, prevent the need for invasive treatments later in life, and ensure your child gets the quality sleep their growing body and brain need.
At Sierra Smiles, we offer child-friendly screenings and custom treatment plans that support optimal airway development during critical growth periods.
Real Health Improvements Through Airway Dentistry
Many of our patients come to us after years of struggling with sleep issues or chronic fatigue. They’ve seen multiple doctors and specialists but haven’t found lasting relief—until they learn about airway dentistry. Once we identify the problem, our treatment plans often include simple, comfortable oral appliances that reposition the jaw to open the airway during sleep.
Patients often report dramatic improvements, including
- Deeper, more restful sleep
- Reduced snoring and sleep apnea events
- Better focus and mood
- Less reliance on medications for anxiety, blood pressure, or fatigue
- Overall improvement in quality of life
Take the First Step Toward Better Sleep and Total Health
At Sierra Smiles, our goal is not just to treat dental problems—it’s to help you live your healthiest, happiest life. If you’ve been living with poor sleep, constant fatigue, or unexplained health issues, airway dentistry could be the key to unlocking relief.
Visit us at any of our three locations – Sierra Smiles Complete Health Dentistry in Reno, NV; Sierra Smiles Complete Health Dentistry – Damonte Ranch in Reno, NV; or Sierra Smiles Complete Health Dentistry – Tahoe in Zephyr Cove, NV – to start your journey toward complete health.