You may not have considered visiting an orthodontist should you suffer from sleep apnea. An orthodontist in Surrey may be able to help with your sleep apnea.
There are three different kinds of Sleep Apnea. The first, obstructive sleep apnea, results from muscle relaxing and allowing the soft tissue in the back of your throat to collapse and block your upper airway. When this happens as an individual sleeps, the gradual reduction to the amount of oxygen making its way to the brain causes the sleeper to stir, resulting in muscle function to return, and regular breathing to commence. When this happens several times a night, it is called obstructive sleep apnea.
Another form of sleep apnea is central sleep apnea. With this, the brain is not able to properly and consistently send nervous signals to the muscles that control breathing while you sleep. This results in stoppages of breathing. The third type of sleep apnea is a combination of obstructive and central and is referred to as complex sleep apnea.
Orthodontists specialize in mouth and throat health. As obstructive sleep apnea is a result of the upper airway being blocked, orthodontists can assist with preventing this. Orthodontists can have a dental appliance constructed that can be worn at night. This appliance works by holding your mouth and jaw in such a position that your upper airway can’t become obstructed, thus allowing proper breathing to continue.
If you are suffering from obstructive sleep apnea, you may consider visiting an orthodontist in Vancouver and having an assessment done to determine if a sleep apnea dental appliance is right for you.
Hello! I’m Dr. Kevin Lee, a certified orthodontic specialist at PacificWest Dental Group, proudly serving the vibrant communities of Vancouver and Surrey. My journey into orthodontics began back in high school. As a teenager wearing braces, I became fascinated by the intricate blend of art, engineering, and biology that defines this field. This early experience ignited a passion that has guided me throughout my career.
I pursued my academic journey at the University of British Columbia (UBC), where I earned a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry in 2006, followed by a Doctor of Dental Medicine in 2011. After a year-long residency at Montefiore Medical Center in New York, I returned to UBC to complete a combined Master of Science in Craniofacial Biology and a Diploma in Orthodontics in 2015. That same year, I achieved certification from both the Royal College of Dentists of Canada and the American Board of Orthodontics.
With over a decade of clinical experience, I remain deeply committed to staying at the forefront of orthodontic advancements. At PacificWest Dental Group, we prioritize personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s unique needs, ensuring comfort and care every step of the way. Our goal is to help you achieve the smile you’ve always dreamed of in a welcoming and supportive environment.
Outside the clinic, I enjoy engaging with our community and staying active. Whether it’s through local events or outdoor activities, I believe in building strong relationships both inside and outside the office. I look forward to meeting you and working together to create a beautiful, confident smile.
Services we provide:
-Invisalign
-Braces
-Lingual Braces
-Digital treatment planning
-TMJ and headpain treatment
-Laser Therapy
-Sleep Apnea Oral Appliance
-Dysport Cosmetic Injectables
