The Connection Bernards-Ridge Edition Sept/Oct/Nov 2018

www.theconnectionsnj.com The smile you’ve always dreamed of starts here. At Aesthetic Dentistry of Bernardsville, our talented dental team has the technology, training and experience to provide you with quality dental care that will give you the smile of your dreams. 10 Anderson Hill Road, Bernardsville, NJ 07924 908-221-1188 www.proudtosmile.com Dr. Patti Swaintek-Lamb D.M.D. & Staff • Cosmetic & General Dentistry • Sleep Apnea Appliances • TMJ/Headache and Pain Treatment • Invisalign and Orthodontics Visit our Connection On-Line ad to view our video The CONNECTIONS THERE IS MORE TO A BEAUTIFUL SMILE THAN MEETS THE EYE Everyone wants a beautiful smile. However, there is more to a beautiful smile than just straightening teeth and correcting a patient’s bite. Airway focused orthodontics is the process of providing orthodontic care that not only focuses on straight teeth and a correct bite, but also proper breathing. It is becoming more obvious to the medical profession that proper breathing through our nose, closed lips and tongue position are not only critical to the way our face grows and develops when we are young, but also overall health at any age. The role the jaw plays with the airway in children and adults Your jaw acts as a structural support for the airway. If the jaw presses backward out of alignment, it can cause the airway to narrow. One of the most common causes of a jaw’s backward movement is breathing through your mouth. Functional orthodontics deals with the complex functioning of the jaw. At Aesthetic Dentistry of Bernardsville, Dr. Patti Swaintek-Lamb understands the intricate balance of your jaw, muscles, teeth, nerves, bones, and airway in your overall health. Functional appliances can balance all of these components to keep them working together properly while also balancing facial structure. One of the most significant aspects of proper jaw function is your airway. Mouth breathing in children is often the result of swollen tonsils or adenoids that obstruct their nasal passages, forcing them to breathe through their mouth. Continual mouth breathing causes the jaw and tongue to shift out of position, and this can lead to structural changes. When the jaw and tongue move out of their natural positions, the development of your child’s dental arches are affected as well as the delicate balance of mus- cles, teeth, nerves, and bones. As these elements shift out of position, the curva- ture of the upper jaw narrows, leaving less room for the sinus passages. In turn, the lower jaw is pushed back, affecting how it and the airway function. Among the issues that can accompany a narrowed airway are snoring, dizziness, ADHD and sleep apnea. Improper jaw alignment can also lead to TMJ disorders like facial pain or tenderness, difficulty chewing, and chronic headaches. Functional appliances and jaw development Your teeth and jaw function develop over several years. Dr. Patti is an experienced aesthetic dentist who practices facial Orthotropics® or facial growth guidance. She can identify potential problems in your child’s teeth and jaw before they arise. Dr. Patti works closely with you to identify the most opportune time for your child’s treatment to begin. At Aesthetic Dentistry of Bernardsville, she usually recommends a three-stage process of treatment from Biobloc Orthotropics® to support open airways and healthy jaw position development. Whether it be a functional appliance, tra- ditional braces, or Invisalign call our office or visit our website today to see how Dr. Patti can help every member of your family improve not only their smile, but their overall health. 10 Anderson Hill Road Bernardsville, NJ 07924 908.221.1188 PAGE 36