Airway Focused
Orthodontics
Thank you for choosing us as your source of relief
Airway Focused
Understanding Functional Orthodontics
Functional orthodontics focuses on identifying, preventing, and treating dental and facial irregularities. These issues, known as “malocclusion” or misaligned bites, impact jaw function and overall facial harmony. At The TMJ and Sleep Therapy Centre of The Gorge, our doctors offer expert care in functional orthodontics. Using corrective appliances like ALFs, functional devices, and aligners, our team helps bring teeth, jaws, and lips into alignment. We promote balanced facial structure, TMJ stability, and improved airway function.
Don’t Wait
Could Orthodontics Be the Solution?
Signs That May Point to a Need for Orthodontic Care
- Restricted airway, potentially leading to snoring or sleep apnea
- Habitual teeth grinding or clenching
- Tongue-tie or challenges with speech
- Crowded or misaligned teeth
- Jaw discomfort or misalignment impacting chewing
- Limited jaw mobility causing facial or jaw discomfort
- Misalignment in developing permanent teeth
- Tongue thrust
If you or your child exhibit any of these symptoms, schedule an in-depth evaluation with our team for guidance.
Understanding ALF Appliances
The Advanced Lightwire Functional (ALF) appliance gently reshapes oral structures with minimal force, akin to natural tongue pressure, guiding the tongue’s position for proper swallowing. This technique expands the palate, creating more space in the mouth and improving airflow through nasal passageways. By guiding the tongue’s position, ALF ensures lasting benefits from the expansion of the palate.
Advantages of ALF Appliances
Align Crowded Teeth
ALFs can help align crowded teeth with or without braces, and improvements can often be made during sleep without daytime appliances!
Arch Expansion
For both children and adults, dental arches can often be widened, making surgical procedures or extractions unnecessary. Over 99% of our patients at The TMJ and Sleep Therapy Centre of the Gorge avoid extractions with this approach.
Who We Are
Our Experts
CURTIS HAYNIE
Dr Haynie is grateful for the opportunity to practice in his hometown and loves accessing all the activities it provides. His goal is to always live the moment in the Gorge with his family Julia, Aidan, and Ava.
William Payne
Dr. Payne appreciates collaborating with the great doctors and team at Hood River Dental. He is happy to be providing his years of experience of quality, comfortable dental treatments to the community of Hood River.
Phone
(541) 386-2999
Location
1410 May Street Hood River, OR 97031
tmj.sleep.gorge@gmail.com
Store Ours
M-F: 8am - 5pm