Family Services

Many times, due to diet, pacifiers, incorrect swallowing patterns and mouth breathing, children can start to develop improper jaw alignment and tooth crowding at a young age. By working with children to establish proper oral habits, combined with oral appliances to correct habits and help grow the jaw bones, we can improve the size of the airways, prevent childhood sleep apnea, reduce crowding and encourage ideal facial and jaw development.

Individuals who snore, grind or clench their teeth while sleeping often benefit from a sleep appliance. Sometimes something as simple as a mouth guard can protect teeth from wear and fractures, and other times patients need special snore guards to help open the airway and allow for improved breathing and less snoring.

Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is a powerful tool for viewing the head and neck in 3-D. Although radiographs, or x-rays, give us important insight when assessing cavities and gum disease, a CBCT can offer more information such as bone density, high definition assessment of tooth and bone infections, and airway assessment, which can give information such as sleep apnea risk. CBCTs are often needed prior to placing implants in order to plan properly for the exact location of the implant body in the best-quality bone.