Airway Assesment

Our goal is to improve your sleep, breathing and oral and overall health by evaluating your facial structure, tongue and swallow function.

What Is An Airway Assessment?

A comprehensive airway assessment includes an evaluation of the structure, function and behavior of your orofacial area:

• Facial growth and development
• Tongue and swallow function
• Oral structures
• Airway structures
• Sleep
• Breathing

All of these components contribute to how you breathe and ultimately function on a daily basis, and impact your overall health.

If you suffer from underlying upper airway issues (also known as a comprised airway) or improper facial development, it could lead to forms of dysfunctional breathing, which is connected to dental disease and other serious health concerns such as:

• Cardiovascular issues
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Head, neck and facial pain

Unfortunately, in medicine today, much of the focus is on treating the symptoms that may be related to dysfunctional breathing or a comprised airway rather than the underlying causes. As one of the region’s most knowledgeable dentist specializing in this area, Dr. Ricardo offers a new approach to wellness that begins with an airway assessment.

What to Expect

During your initial airway assessment, Dr. Ricardo will look at your facial growth and development, the size and shape of your airway, oral structures, tongue and swallow functions and obtain a CBCT—a radiological exam of the head and neck. He will also assess your sleep, sleep breathing and oxygen exchange at night with a take-home device called the High Resolution Pulse Oximeter, which is worn on your finger while you sleep. A sleep study may also be recommended.

Evaluations will include:

• Oral Airway Exam
• CBCT Radiology (facial growth and development, airway)
• HRPO (sleep and oxygen exchange)
• Myofunctional Screening (tongue and swallow evaluation)
• Tongue Tie Evaluation
• Behavioral Breathing Screening
• Fatigue Severity Scale
• Overall health history review

Dr. Ricardo will then review the evaluations and tests, and invite you to come in for a follow-up appointment to discuss the findings. Dr. Ricardo works with you, and a team of medical professionals and healthcare providers to review and develop a plan for addressing any concerns that may be identified.