Dr. Ian Gray Dental Group

Sleep Apnea, Snoring and Airway Dentistry in Newmarket

Dr. Ian Gray is a general dentist and our office focuses on airway health for children and adults. Airway-centered dentistry looks beyond teeth and gums: it considers how you breathe, how your jaws develop and how your bite and jaw joints work together. Call our office to book a one-on-one consultation.

What is airway-centered dentistry?

Airway-centered dentistry looks at how you breathe, how your jaws develop and how your bite and jaw joints work together. At our office this uses orthodontics, dental procedures and oral appliances. An assessment may include breathing symptoms, jaw development, bite and jaw-joint function.

Your airway delivers the oxygen your body needs. If it is narrow or restricted, the body may compensate by breathing through the mouth. Your nose filters the air you breathe in, your mouth does not.

Signs in adults worth talking about

• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Morning headaches
• Difficulty concentrating
• Mood changes
• Dry mouth or sore throat
• Loud snoring
• Jaw or facial pain

These signs can have many causes. If several apply to you or your partner, call our office to book a consultation, and talk to your doctor about a sleep study.

Snoring and sleep apnea in adults

Snoring is the sound of air moving through a narrowed airway. Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which the airway narrows or closes again and again during sleep. Each interruption can wake you briefly, often without you remembering it. Only a doctor can diagnose sleep apnea, usually after a sleep study. Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea.

In adults, a sleep study counts apneas and hypopneas (pauses and reductions in breathing) per hour of sleep: mild is 5 to less than 15, moderate 15 to less than 30 and severe 30 or more. Left untreated, sleep apnea has been linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

For some adults with a diagnosis of mild to moderate sleep apnea, an oral appliance is an option instead of CPAP, the most commonly prescribed treatment. It is worn during sleep and helps position your jaw so that your airway is less likely to be blocked. After a consultation, an examination and testing, Dr. Gray tells you whether it is right for you. If it is, he has a custom appliance made for you. As with any oral appliance, some people notice jaw discomfort or changes to their bite. Ask us about this at your consultation. Appliance treatment usually needs follow-up with your doctor and your dentist.

Children and teens: airway and jaw development

Airway health matters for children, too. Their airway and jaws are still growing, so early evaluation can help us see problems while there is still time to guide growth. Dr. Gray looks at how your child breathes, sleeps and develops.

Signs worth discussing with your child’s doctor and our team:

• Mouth breathing and difficulty breathing through the nose
• Teeth that come in crooked or crowded, a narrow top or bottom arch
• Regular snoring or noisy breathing during sleep
• Trouble falling or staying asleep, or bedwetting
• Delayed speech development or a speech impediment
• Persistent coughing without an illness, or asthma-like symptoms
• Chronic allergies or recurring ear infections
• Difficulty swallowing food or drinking

These signs can have many causes. Regular snoring or suspected breathing pauses should be checked by your child’s doctor. We are glad to see your child for an evaluation, and any appliance treatment starts with an individual assessment and, where needed, coordination with your child’s doctor.

Myofunctional therapy means treatment that works with muscle function, such as the resting position of the tongue, chewing and swallowing. For children aged 4 and up, and for adults, our office uses oral appliances, including Bio Activator appliances, as early preventive orthodontic treatment. With these appliances, treatment normally involves a series of appliances worn overnight and for 1 to 2 hours a day. Muscle-function exercises are a different approach, and which one fits is decided after an evaluation.

Jaw development and orthodontics for adults and children

For adults, our office offers Myobrace® and VIVOS oral appliances together with orthodontics, including braces. Which option fits depends on an individual assessment of your teeth, bite and jaws. These treatments address teeth, bite and jaw growth and are not a treatment for sleep apnea.

Braces at our office are used to align the teeth and to guide jaw development where it is appropriate. We mostly use ceramic brackets because they are smaller and less noticeable, and metal brackets for some patients. A treatment plan typically lasts about 24 months, and braces are usually adjusted every 4 to 6 weeks. It is never too early or too late to ask about orthodontic treatment. Adults come to us often, and for children, early evaluation can show whether less extensive treatment may be enough later.

Jaw joints (TMJ/TMD) and teeth grinding

The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are the joints of your jaw. Jaw joint problems can involve jaw pain, stiffness, locking or painful clicking. Similar signs can have other causes. These signs may be associated with them:

• Headaches, neck or shoulder pain
• Clicking or popping in the jaw
• A locked jaw or jaw pain
• Teeth grinding
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)

To find out whether a bite issue is involved, Dr. Gray and his team check your teeth and mouth for signs of wear. We use a complete oral exam, panoramic X-rays, a model of your mouth made with our 3D scanner and high-definition photos.

Most adults who wear a mouthguard at night do so for teeth grinding (bruxism). A custom mouthguard covers your teeth and protects the teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue from damage caused by clenching and grinding. Children, teens and adults also wear mouthguards for contact sports. Ours are custom made to fit your mouth.

What to expect at our office

1. Call usBook a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Gray at (905) 853-9355.
2. ConsultationWe talk about your symptoms, or your child’s, and any sleep study results you already have.
3. Examination and testingTreatment begins with a comprehensive exam. We show you what we see and explain your options.
4. Your planIf a treatment is right for you, such as an oral appliance, orthodontics or a custom mouthguard, Dr. Gray explains the plan. A diagnosis of sleep apnea itself comes from a doctor.

Results vary from person to person.

Cost and insurance

Coverage and documentation requirements depend on your plan. Call us with your plan details. We are happy to submit insurance claims and an estimate for major work on your behalf.

This page is general information and does not replace medical advice. Dr. Ian Gray is a general dentist. If you notice pauses in your breathing during sleep or strong daytime sleepiness, please speak with your doctor.

Common questions

What is airway-centered dentistry?

It is an approach that looks at breathing, jaw development, bite and jaw-joint function together. At our office it uses orthodontics, dental procedures and oral appliances for children and adults. Call us at (905) 853-9355 to book a consultation.

Can a dentist help with snoring?

Sometimes. Snoring can have several causes, including sleep apnea, which only a doctor can diagnose. Dr. Gray can examine your jaw, teeth and bite, talk with you about your options and work alongside your doctor. If an oral appliance is right for you, Dr. Gray can have a custom one made for you.

What is the difference between snoring and sleep apnea?

Snoring is the sound of air moving through a narrowed airway. Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which the airway narrows or closes repeatedly during sleep. Only a doctor can diagnose sleep apnea, usually after a sleep study. Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea.

Do I need a sleep study before an oral appliance?

Sleep apnea is diagnosed by a doctor, usually after a sleep study, and your doctor decides which testing is needed. If you already have results, bring them to your consultation. You can also call our office first to talk about your symptoms. Once you wear an appliance, follow-up with your doctor and dentist checks that it works.

At what age can children start myofunctional therapy?

Myofunctional therapy can involve different approaches. At our office, children from age 4 can start with oral appliances as early preventive orthodontic treatment. Dr. Gray can tell you after an evaluation what suits your child.

Is it too late for adults to start orthodontic treatment?

No. Adults come to our office often, and it is never too early or too late to ask about treatment.

How long does orthodontic treatment take?

A treatment plan typically lasts about 24 months, and braces are usually adjusted every 4 to 6 weeks. This varies from patient to patient.

Do you offer night guards for teeth grinding?

Yes. We make custom mouthguards for teeth grinding and for contact sports. Call us to book a consultation.

Does insurance cover an oral appliance or mouthguard?

Coverage and documentation requirements depend on your plan. Please call us with your plan details. We are happy to submit insurance claims and an estimate for major work on your behalf.