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Airway, TMJ and Sleep Appliances
Orthodontics that considers how you breathe and how your jaw joint works, not just how your teeth line up.
What we do, and what we do not
Dr. Cochran offers airway assessment, airway orthodontics and palatal expansion, TMJ evaluation, TMJ appliances, and oral appliances including mandibular advancement for patients who have already been diagnosed with sleep apnea.
To be clear about the boundary: we are orthodontists. We do not diagnose sleep apnea and we do not treat medical sleep disorders. A sleep apnea diagnosis comes from a physician and a sleep study. What we can do is make and fit an oral appliance once that diagnosis exists, and work with your physician.
Equally, jaw pain has many causes. A TMJ evaluation tells us whether an orthodontic appliance is a reasonable part of the answer for you, or whether you need a different specialist.
What this covers
Airway assessment
Part of the evaluation, looking at the space available for breathing alongside the bite.
Palatal expansion
Widening a narrow upper jaw. In growing patients this creates room for teeth and for the nasal airway.
TMJ evaluation and appliances
Assessment of the jaw joint and, where appropriate, an appliance to change how the jaw rests.
Oral appliances for diagnosed sleep apnea
Mandibular advancement appliances for patients with a physician diagnosis who want an alternative to a machine.
Book your free consultation
Tell us how to reach you and our team will call to find a time that works. New patient requests only.
Prefer to talk now? Call (210) 714-5525.
Common questions
Can you diagnose my sleep apnea?
No. Diagnosis requires a physician and usually a sleep study. Once you have a diagnosis, we can make and fit an oral appliance and coordinate with your doctor.
Will an oral appliance replace my CPAP?
That is a decision for your physician, not for us. Some diagnosed patients use an oral appliance as an alternative or in combination. We fit the appliance, your doctor makes the clinical call.
Will orthodontic treatment fix my jaw pain?
We would not claim that. Jaw pain has multiple causes. A TMJ evaluation establishes whether an appliance is likely to help in your case, and we will tell you if it is not.
Does palatal expansion help breathing?
Expansion widens the upper jaw, which in growing patients can increase the volume of the nasal airway. Whether that changes anything you notice depends on the individual, and we will not promise an outcome we cannot predict.
Ready to start? Your consultation is free.
Exam, digital scan and X-ray at no cost, at either San Antonio office. You will leave knowing your options and what treatment would cost.