Optimizing the jaw sizes by widening the jaws during early interceptive treatment is a proactive treatment approach to help the growing patient remove the dental and jaw causes of airway obstruction.
By widening the jaws, additional tongue space is available, which allows the tongue to be held farther forward away from the back of the throat, increasing airway size. Widening the palate will also help reduce the soft palate from obstructing the airway.
Maxillary expansion can increase the width of the floor of the nose, helping to open the nasal airway.
In the adult patient, a Micro-Attachment Assisted Rapid Palate Expander (MARPE) or Maxillary Skeletal Expander (MSE) can be used to widen the upper jaw (maxilla) to help improve the airway.
Dr. Quast also offers coordination and surgical planning with oral surgeons who perform Orthognathic Surgery (OGS) to surgically advance one or both jaws and widen the upper jaw.
MARPE and OGS are among the most effective ways to improve the airway on a permanent basis in adult patients.