Understanding Teledontics: A Preventative Approach

Yousefian Orthodontics for Children, Teens and Adults Blog Understanding Teledontics: A Preventative Approach

Obstructive sleep apnea is a chronic problem that often goes undetected. Although it affects both children and adults, it’s often particularly difficult to recognize in children. Many childhood behavioral issues may actually be triggered by obstructive sleep apnea.

Breathing problems, however, may not just be due to sinus problems or a misshapen nose. This is where Teledontics comes in. Teledontics looks at the complete picture of how your jaws and bite align with your airways, nasal cavities, and facial structures. If any of these structures is out of alignment, breathing can be affected.

Joseph Yousefian, DMD, of Yousefian Orthodontics for Children, Teens, and Adults is at the forefront of research in Teledontics. In this blog, Dr. Yousefian discusses what Teledontics is and how it may be able to help you or your child get a good night’s sleep.

What is teledontics?

Teledontics is a relatively new specialty within orthodontic care. The aim of teledontics is to examine all of the structures of the face, including the jaws, nose, and sinuses, to treat anything that is not working properly or is out of alignment. Making sure everything is aligned and working properly can help fix breathing issues, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, and bite problems. 

While it’s ideal to work with a child whose mouth is still growing and developing so that the structures can be properly aligned, it’s never too late to help adults. In adults, Dr. Yousefian can inspect all the structures of the face and treat any alignment issues. 

How does teledontics differ from traditional orthodontics?

Traditional pediatric orthodontics typically doesn’t begin to address a child’s oral development until about age 7, when the child has a mixture of both baby teeth and adult teeth. However, teledontics allows Dr. Yousefian to examine children as young as age 3 to detect, treat, and prevent breathing issues in their early stages before they become big problems.

Traditional orthodontics is still valuable for straightening teeth, aligning jaws, and treating cosmetic issues. However, teledontics allows Dr. Yousefian to guide the development of your child’s mouth and airways. This can promote better breathing, both when they’re awake and asleep.

What are the benefits of teledontics?

Teledontics can improve your sleep or your child’s. Some of the benefits of improving sleep quality include the following:

Along with treating problems with facial structure, Dr. Yousefian emphasizes eating right, forming good sleep habits, engaging in physical activity, and reducing stress. It’s a complete mind-body approach to treating sleep apnea, TMJ disorders, and other ongoing issues.

If you suspect that you or your child has sleep apnea, Dr. Yousefian can help you find out and provide treatment if needed. To learn more, book an appointment online or over the phone with Yousefian Orthodontics for Children, Teens, and Adults today.

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