lower jaw & breathing

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#1 Post by **suetemi** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 12:15 am

Does anyone know why it is that moving the lower jaw forward makes breathing easier for those who have congested nasal passage? I have a hard time breathing through my nose (feels like the airway is pinched)...When I pull my lower jaw forward, it definitely opens up the nasal passage, which is cool but I have no idea why that works the way it does. Does it have something to do with the muscles stretching out?

#2 Post by **fromjersey** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 1:32 pm

I think moving mandible forward can pull tongue muscles too and that can help breathing. Tongue is not blocking airway as much. Also airway can get narrowed from lower jaw surgery. That's why jaw surgery is sometimes used to relieve sleep apnea. Don't know how it can affect nasal airway.
Helen

#3 Post by **Von** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 8:16 am

I have heard the same.That lower jaw advancement opens the airway space,so you can breathe easier.But for the underbiters,like myself who need setback,the airway gets smaller.I read it today,and i think this make sense.For setback more than 10mm,it is better to have and maxillary advancement.This made me feel very bad,cause the doctors said that my upper jaw is ok and probaly only the lower will be necessary.After all this time of considering and make research about the surgery,i was used to the idea that i will be having the lower done,cause it is big!I don't want to have the upper jaw operated,nwo i must think again what to do

#4 Post by **Von** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 8:16 am

I have heard the same.That lower jaw advancement opens the airway space,so you can breathe easier.But for the underbiters,like myself who need setback,the airway gets smaller.I read it today,and i think this make sense.For setback more than 10mm,it is better to have and maxillary advancement.This made me feel very bad,cause the doctors said that my upper jaw is ok and probaly only the lower will be necessary.After all this time of considering and make research about the surgery,i was used to the idea that i will be having the lower done,cause it is big!I don't want to have the upper jaw operated,now i must think again what to do

#5 Post by **Brandyleigh35** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 12:18 pm

Advancing the lower jaw forward opens up your airway more, it also changes the pull on the tongue muscles and the placement of your tongue which can also contribute to breathing issues. You palate can also play a role in how you breathe. If you have a long soft palate then you may get a bit of collapsing in the back of your upper airway which can cause issues too, so it really is sortof multifaceted.

I had a recessed jaw, not a lot but certainly enough. It caused me to have sleep apnea and breathing issues. We used a mandibular advancement device for awhile which totally fixed my apnea. I did not want to use an appliance forever so I ask my doctor about surgery. He said, YES, that since the appliance fixed things that for sure the surgery would probably work. So I had SARPE (palate expansion) upper, lower, and genio done. Since then, my breathing has been amazing. I get so much more air into my lungs now, and no longer wake up gasping for air. Sounds like a lot but honestly it wasn't that bad, and at 10.5 months post op, I can totally say it has all been totally worth it. I'm very happy, thrilled in fact, with my results.

My doctor did say that I have probably had some amount of restricted breathing my whole life due to my jaw position etc. I do know that I have never slept very well (always been a super light sleeper) but I now sleep very heavily and soundly so I suspect he is/was right. Hope that answers some of your questions regarding breathing and jaw positioning though.

Brandy

#6 Post by **suetemi** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 7:28 pm

Brandy,
what kind of Lefort did you have?

#7 Post by **Brandyleigh35** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 7:34 pm

Just a standard 1 piece lefort. It was just separated and moved forward a bit. My total advancement was 12mm. 3mm on top, 4mm on bottom, and 5mm from chinpoint.

Brandy