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Upper Airway Procedures
Upper Airway Procedures: What Are They and How Do They Work?
The upper airway is the passage at the back of the nose and throat that air travels through when we breathe. When it is narrowed or partly blocked, it can contribute to snoring and to sleep-disordered breathing, including obstructive sleep apnoea. Upper airway procedures are interventions that aim to improve the space and function of this airway. They are always considered as part of a wider airway and sleep assessment, not in isolation.
How the Airway Pathway Works
Assessment can include a review of your symptoms, a clinical examination and, where needed, 3D imaging of the airway using our in-house cone beam CT (CBCT) scanner, alongside sleep assessment. The findings guide whether a procedure is appropriate and how it fits with other options, such as orthodontics, dento-facial orthopaedics, a mandibular advancement device or medical management. Care is planned by our consultants together, so the airway is considered alongside the bite and the face.
Procedures We Offer
Where a skeletal cause is involved, several airway-relevant procedures are carried out at the clinic by our consultants:
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Genioglossus suspension, which supports the tongue base and airway, performed by Mr Ash Messiha, Consultant Maxillofacial Surgeon
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MARPE (mini-implant assisted rapid palatal expansion), a skeletally anchored widening of the upper jaw and mid-face to help the airway, carefully planned and risk assessed in 3D, performed by Dr Chris Donaldson, Consultant Orthodontist and Clinical Director.
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Bimaxillary advancement (maxillomandibular advancement), which brings both jaws forward to open the airway, performed by Mr Ash Messiha
Other jaw and skeletal procedures are being introduced in the near future and will be made available as soon as the team are up and running.
Worked out as part of a wider plan
Not every cause of a narrowed airway is skeletal. Some contributors, such as nasal obstruction or enlarged tonsils or adenoids, usually sit within ear, nose and throat care, and these are coordinated or referred rather than carried out in-house. Your assessment sets out which parts of the airway are involved and who is best placed to treat them.
Suitability, and whether any procedure is appropriate, is determined by clinical assessment, and treatment is not a guarantee of a particular result. See also our Obstructive Sleep Apnoea page
Book a Free Consultation: Your First Step
Starting orthodontic treatment can feel like a big decision. To help you make an informed choice, we offer free consultations, including a comprehensive exam by our clinical lead and a discussion on diagnosis, treatment options, financing, and insurance.
Schedule your complimentary consultation today.
