With 3D imaging and the latest technology, Dr. Buchanan is able to expand patients' airways, giving them better sleep and a better quality of life.
“When you're not getting enough oxygen at night, it interrupts your REM sleep, which is the deep sleep that your body needs to really rest and repair,” Dr. Buchanan said. “If you're not getting that good REM sleep, even though you may have slept for eight to 10 hours, you're not getting good quality sleep.”
Dr. Buchanan uses Damon Braces and Spark Clear Aligners to realign patients’ jaws and expand airways. This technology works with the body’s natural healing process, providing a gentle but effective treatment. She said her patients who experience snoring and sleep apnea have had significantly better sleep after receiving orthodontic treatment.
“What I love about our technology is that it moves the bones and the teeth,” Dr. Buchanan said. “Both the technologies that we use here in the office widen the jaw and make room for the tongue. And we're not having to extract teeth. As you extract teeth, it makes a smaller place, so it can even further block your airway. We want to be sure not to remove any teeth. We want to bring everything forward so you can breathe better.”
Sleep-disordered breathing has similar symptoms to several other conditions. Dr. Buchanan said she’s seen children diagnosed with ADHD because they’re not able to focus at school when really the problem is with their sleep.
Look-alike symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing include:
- Learning difficulties
- Speech delays
- ADD and ADHD
- Bed wetting
- Daytime sleepiness
- Frequent cough and cold
- Asthma
- Night terrors
- Stunted growth
- Restless legs
“Starting at the right time is really critical,” Dr. Buchanan said. “We say age 7 to 9 is really a great age to come see me for the first time. We've seen kids younger than that, if needed; it just depends on what's going on. We like to identify those problems early and start getting everybody back on the right track, because the longer you wait, then these things could become worse.”
Dr. Buchanan said helping patients live healthier lives makes her job rewarding.
“That's why I love what I do: I feel like I'm really helping patients,” Dr. Buchanan said. “It's not just about having a great smile, but enjoying a better quality of life.”
Dr. Buchanan’s practice is located at 6595 Virginia Parkway, Ste. 100, McKinney, in Adriatica. Individuals can schedule a free consultation online at www.mckinneybraces.com. Future patients can also call or text the office at 972-542-4412.
The above story was produced by Multi-platform Journalist Mary Katherine Shapiro with Community Impact's Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.
