Respiration & Orthodontic Health
Breathing is fundamental to life, and at New Braunfels Orthodontic Associates, we understand its significance in orthodontic health. Our modern approach integrates the latest medical knowledge, emphasizing the vital link between a healthy airway and overall wellness.
In New Braunfels, Dr. Layfield focuses on airway health as a critical component of your orthodontic treatment, ensuring comprehensive care that benefits your overall well-being.
Understanding Your Airway
Your airway comprises two main parts, each playing a crucial role in breathing:
- The nasal airway: This pathway allows air to flow through your nose, surrounded by rigid structures like nasal cartilage, bones, and the nose floor.
- The pharyngeal airway: This channel leads air from your throat to your lungs, lined with soft tissues, including the back of your tongue and throat.
How to Breathe
Breathing through your nose is ideal for healthy oral and nasal development. Nasal breathing contributes to a well-shaped palate by naturally and correctly positioning your tongue against the roof of your mouth.
Nasal breathing also enhances oxygen intake and distribution throughout your body, and your nasal hairs act as a natural filter to ensure the air reaching your lungs is cleaner than when mouth breathing.
At New Braunfels Orthodontic Associates, Dr. Layfield and our team will evaluate your current airways issues to develop a treatment plan that best fits your breathing needs.
Orthodontic Treatment for Your Airway
At New Braunfels Orthodontic Associates, Dr. Layfield offers a variety of advanced solutions to help resolve your airways issues and enhance both your breathing and overall wellness.
Rapid Palatal Expander (RPE)
The Rapid Palatal Expander (RPE) widens a narrow upper jaw. It is attached to your upper molars and gradually expanded by adjusting a central screw.
After achieving the necessary expansion, the RPE is left in place for several months to stabilize your new bone formation. This treatment is most effective in children under 12, before the fusion of the mid-palatal suture.
Microimplant-Assisted Rapid Palatal Expander (MARPE)
Dr. Layfield uses the Microimplant-Assisted Rapid Palatal Expander (MARPE) at our New Braunfels office for older children, adolescents, and adults.
This technique involves securing the expander to your palate with microimplants, offering a more stable and effective way to widen your upper jaw.
MARPE mainly benefits patients with less flexible palatal sutures, addressing crossbites and crowding.
Surgically Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion (SARPE)
When a slightly more invasive procedure is necessary, Dr. Layfield may recommend a SARPE (or Surgically Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion) to widen the upper jaw to support nasal airflow and make space for proper bite alignment.
Oral Surgery
In some complex cases, you may require oral surgery to address your airway issues.
Dr. Layfield may recommend surgical procedures to correct structural problems that impede breathing. These surgeries are tailored to each patient's needs, ensuring improved airway function and overall health.
Better Breathing Starts Here
We don’t charge extra for airway evaluations—and we don’t oversell treatment. If we see something concerning, we’ll explain what we’re seeing and talk about next steps.
Schedule a free consultation with Dr. Layfield at New Braunfels Orthodontic Associates to learn how airway-focused care can support your health—at any age.