Get Virtual Care
For Businesses
About Us
A member asked:
If you have a overbite, will rapid maxillary expansion (upper jaw) can be recommended to treat sleep apnea for 15 yrs old boy?
3 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
Airway: Sleep apnea often associated with airway obstruction. Widening palate may help if obstruction is in nasal/oral cavities. If the obstruction is in your throat, palatal expansion will not be of benefit. See an orthodontic specialist for evaluation of your overbite, palatal width, airway, and the rest of your dent-facial structures. Referral to an ENT may be advisable.
Answered 10/4/2016
4.7k views
Difficult to answer: Many sleep apnea devices work by advancing the lower jaw to open up the airway, but if it is poor muscle tone in the soft palate or uvula which is causing blockage of the airway, there may only be limited success with lower jaw repositioning. Expanding the upper jaw will improve the jaw position over time but it is difficult to say if that will correct sleep apnea.
Answered 11/22/2013
4.7k views
Related Questions
A member asked:
Dear Dr, feeling in my eyes lights are too bright feel dizzy with very sore sides of neck front and tight jaw knot in back of neck sleep apnea 6 weeks?
A doctor has provided 1 answer
A member asked:
Heavy head, intense drowsiness during the day, no narcolepsy or sleep apnea. Recent decrease in bupropion. Is it due to that?
A doctor has provided 1 answer
A member asked:
Im having small quick jolts of pain in my head and im 18 and little overweight and have sleep apnea, this happens alot, im afraid of stroke/hemmorage?
A doctor has provided 1 answer
A member asked:
Will sleeping on an adjustable bed be helpful for someone with sleep apnea? My mother has been diagnosed with severe sleep apnea. She will not use a cpap (refuses) or an oral appliance. Will an adjustable bed help her if her head and upper body are elev
4 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
People also searched for:
My symptoms are fuzzy feeling in the head, black outs, memory loss and feeling tired. I am 30 years old with mild sleep apnea, bipolar& gastric ulcers?
Can neurotransmitter imbalances be a primary cause of sleep apnea, such that double bi-maxillary advancement will not cure? If so what tests should you have and what type of doctor should I see?
Will a slight overbite mean you have a small upper jaw (maxilla), and small lower jaw (mandible)?
Can obstructive sleep apnea be caused by complications from psychiatric medications or dentist grinding of teeth which may change jaw face or tonguesi?
I don't have sleep apnea, am not overweight, sleep on side, don't drink, but still snore when breathing through my mouth. What aids should I try? Mouthpiece keeping jaw forward? Strap to close mouth?
Didn't find what you're looking for?
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more.
Ask your questionMore of what we treat
Download HealthTap
Video visit and message your doctor
