Airway Dentistry in Oakbrook Terrace
Breathing well is key to full mind and body wellness. A healthy, open airway can dramatically affect one’s sleep, physical appearance, and overall wellbeing. George Rivera, DDS offers a personalized approach to airway dentistry. We provide our patients with conservative therapies for opening your airways with oral expansion appliances.
More advanced therapies and treatments are also available through our partnership with a local hospital. Our team is dedicated to ensuring that you receive the solution you need to help improve your breathing through compassionate and proactive airway dentistry.
What Is Airway Dentistry?
Airway dentistry is a new and growing field of study that focuses on the mouth’s structure and how it impacts a person’s breathing. Our ability to breathe naturally relies on an open airway, functional jaw joints, and stable oral health. When any of these factors compromise the natural breathing process, it can lead to dire health risks or chronic conditions.
As a skilled and experienced dentist, Dr. George Rivera has an in-depth understanding of oral health in every capacity—from dental and gum health to the mouth’s soft tissues, throat, and airway. With advanced and continued training, Dr. Rivera can help patients identify oral airway obstructions and promote good airway health in children and adults.
Airway Health Screenings in Oakbrook Terrace
Dr. Rivera screens for airway and sleep-breathing disorders during his comprehensive oral exams. Though we do not treat these disorders with CPAP devices at our dental practice, we are happy to refer you to a local, highly experienced ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor.
During your exam, Dr. Rivera will assess your breathing ability and look for signs of tooth wear, tongue positioning, and the condition of your mouth’s soft tissues. Our dental team’s goal is to help you prevent sleep breathing disorders to avoid other health issues from developing in the future.
We Can Help Improve Your Breathing
At George Rivera, DDS, we do not treat sleep breathing disorders with devices. However, we do use Invisalign and expansion appliances to open up a patient’s nasal passage and oral airway. By expanding the space in a patient’s mouth and nose, air can more easily and efficiently pass through their airways.
In addition to improving a person’s ability to breathe, airway dentistry can potentially even eliminate a person’s snoring during sleep. Dr. Rivera partners with a local hospital and a trusted ENT to help patients receive the treatment they need to breathe and sleep better.
Signs of Sleep-Disordered Breathing
There are several signs of sleep breathing disorders and sleep-disordered breathing. Your airway dentist and ENT will review your symptoms and develop a personalized treatment plan that best fits your needs, lifestyle, and budget.
Some of the most common signs of sleep-disordered breathing include:
- Chronic lethargy and tiredness
- Brain fog
- Headaches, especially after waking up
- Grogginess throughout the day
- Inability to focus
- Snoring
- Dry mouth
- Sore throat
- Irritability
- Gasping or choking during sleep
Sleep breathing disorders and other sleep-disordered breathing can affect men, women, and children of all ages. If you or a loved one notices you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s time to talk to your airway dentist. Dr. Rivera can help you seek the appropriate treatment to protect and expand your airway so you can reap the benefits of healthy respiration.
Airway Dentistry in Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Are you ready to get a full night’s sleep? Is it time you finally feel rested, alert, and energized? Our team at George Rivera, DDS can help you find the best solution for your airway health. We believe expanding one’s airway can improve their ability to function in day-to-day life, as well as enhance their overall long-term health.
Call us today at (630) 592-4949 to learn more about airway dentistry or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Rivera.
We look forward to helping you get a better night's sleep!
headaches are linked to poor breathing, sleep-disordered breathing, or bite misalignment. A restricted airway can cause the body to work harder just to breathe, particularly during sleep. This added strain can lead to issues such as jaw tension, teeth grinding, 
sleep, these may be signs you need to see an airway dentist in Oakbrook Terrace, IL.
function, and stabilizing oral health. When you can breathe fully and freely, it helps alleviate common sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, that disrupt and interfere with rejuvenating rest. Improving function by opening airways for clear breathing results in a better night's sleep. 
