ALF treats collapsed nasal valve – but what’s a collapsed nasal valve?

 

NASAL VALVE INSUFFICIENCY

The collapse of the internal nasal valves during inhalation reduces air flow through the nose, and increases the amount of pressure needed by the chest to overcome that limited inspiration. Nasal valve insufficiency looks like this:

collapse of the nasal valve during inhalation
Arrows point to the collapse of the nostrils during inhalation. This is due to internal nasal valve insufficiency. Image attributed to ResearchGate.

Many ENTs will treat internal nasal valve insufficiency using a surgical procedure that stiffens the inside of the nose.

But in our dental practice, we look for the root cause of such collapse. In a great majority of the patients, we find that but pushing the tongue firmly against the roof of the nose, the nasal valve insufficiency seems to go away.

NASAL BREATHING IN ANKYLOGLOSSIA

People with ankyloglossia (tongue tie) do not have good nasal breathing support. We have also found it difficult to achieve proper nasal breathing even in people who can position their tongues to roof of mouth.

ALF AS A SURROGATE TONGUE

An ALF (alternative lightwire functional) appliance is a super thin, flexible wire custom-bent to fit the roof of the mouth and upper teeth. Once activated, there is a very gentle pressure across the palate that comes from the wire. This pressure is just enough to support the floor of the nose, decrease the turbulence of nasal air flow, and prevent collapse of the internal nasal valves. And in patients whose tongue tissues will allow it, there is an improved relationship between the posterior tongue and soft palate, which supports the entire airway.

alf improves nasal valve function
ALF against upper teeth and roof of mouth. Anterior omega loop is activated to create gentle outward pressure on mid-palatal suture.

 

Related Posts