What Is an Airway Analysis?
Airway analysis is a diagnostic evaluation of the physical structures that influence how air flows through the upper airway during breathing and sleep. The size and shape of the jaw, the position of the tongue, the dimensions of the soft palate, and the overall anatomy of the throat all play a role in determining whether a patient is predisposed to airway obstruction, snoring, or obstructive sleep apnea. By evaluating these factors, the dental team can identify anatomical contributors to sleep-disordered breathing and develop a more targeted treatment plan.
Dental Airway Analysis: Quick Facts
| Quick fact | Typical answer |
|---|---|
| Number of visits | 1 |
| Time needed | 30 to 45 minutes |
| Anesthesia | None |
| Recovery time | None |
| Result | Findings shared with you and your physician |
These are typical ranges. Your own plan is confirmed after an examination.
Who Should Have an Airway Analysis
Airway analysis is valuable for patients who have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and are considering dental treatment, patients who snore heavily and want to understand why, and patients who exhibit risk factors for sleep-disordered breathing even if they have not yet been formally diagnosed. The analysis also informs treatment planning across other areas of care. For example, orthodontic treatment or jaw repositioning may have implications for airway dimensions, and understanding the airway helps the dental team make decisions that support both dental health and breathing function.
Airway analysis looks at the anatomy behind snoring and sleep apnea. It does not diagnose sleep apnea; it identifies structural factors and helps decide whether dental treatment is likely to help.
- Diagnosed sleep apnea and an interest in an oral appliance
- Heavy snoring
- A small or set-back lower jaw
- A large tongue, large tonsils or a narrow palate
- Mouth breathing, or grinding with daytime fatigue
Dental Airway Analysis at Bensonhurst Dental Care
At Bensonhurst Dental Care, airway analysis is performed using clinical evaluation, imaging, and a review of the patient’s symptoms and medical history. The dental team assesses the oral and pharyngeal structures, evaluates the jaw relationship and tongue position, and considers factors such as neck circumference, nasal patency, and soft tissue volume. This information is used to determine whether the patient’s anatomy is contributing to airway compromise and to guide decisions about treatment, including whether oral appliance therapy is likely to be effective.
What to Expect, Step by Step
- History. Sleep, symptoms and medical history are reviewed.
- Clinical exam. Tongue, soft palate, tonsils, jaw position and nasal breathing are assessed.
- Imaging. 3D imaging may be used to measure the airway.
- Findings. Results are explained and shared with your physician.
- Plan. Next steps are recommended.
What an airway analysis looks at
| Structure | What we assess | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Lower jaw | Size and position | A set-back jaw narrows the airway |
| Tongue | Size and resting position | A large or low tongue can block the throat |
| Soft palate and tonsils | Length and size | These tissues vibrate and can obstruct |
| Nose | Ability to breathe through it | Mouth breathing worsens snoring |
An airway analysis answers one practical question: is there a structural reason for this patient’s snoring that dentistry can help with?
Before and After Your Visit
Getting the most from your appointment
Before your visit
- Bring any sleep study reports
- List your medications
- Ask your partner what they have noticed
After your visit
- Follow up on any referral for a sleep study
- Discuss the findings with your physician
- Return to plan appliance therapy if it is suitable
When to Call Us
Call the office on (718) 234-3434 if you notice any of the following:
- Daytime sleepiness affects driving or work
- Breathing pauses are witnessed
- Symptoms get worse
Cost and Insurance
Screening is brief and low cost. The main fee in sleep dentistry is for a custom oral appliance and the visits needed to adjust it.
What affects the cost
- The type of appliance
- The number of adjustment visits
- Follow-up sleep testing, arranged through your physician
- Replacement of the appliance every few years
An oral appliance for diagnosed sleep apnea is often billed to medical insurance, not dental insurance. Devices for snoring alone are usually not covered. Our team can check your benefits and explain your options before treatment begins.
