Airway Orthodontics focuses on the relationship between the act of breathing and the oral structures which affect this act.

The teeth, gums, tongue and jaw could all affect the way you breathe. Defects and misalignments could potentially impact the way you breathe and the amount of air you get, which could have detrimental effects on your overall health.

Airway Orthodontics aims to detect, diagnose and treat issues which affect your airway, so that you can breathe effectively and efficiently.

One of the more serious problems caused by obstructions in the airway is Sleep Apnea, a condition resulting in the body receiving inadequate oxygen through the night. This has potentially disastrous effects on the body as a whole.

Many of the bodily functions are affected by oxygen level. If your body can’t get enough oxygen, you are at risk for several serious health conditions, including hypertension, heart disease and diabetes. Thankfully, Dr Petra van der Merwe is able to identify and treat the obstructions to improve the quality of your sleep and breathing.