Dr. Karen Guinn is passionate about advancing and maximizing the art & science of Orthodontics.

She understands that the Orthodontic Sleep Apnea program can change the airway and address the underlying source that causes sleep apnea and difficult breathing. This approach is intended to provide patients with immediate relief from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). If you are looking to relieve your sleep apnea, contact Dr. Karen Guinn at The Smile Agency in Pasadena or West Covina for some of the best relief from airway orthodontics.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) has emerged as one of the most widespread and costly health issues for adults and children in the U.S.A. Studies have shown that OSA carries a strong genetic component and is known to involve more than 8 million Americans of all ages. This condition is characterized as the obstruction of the upper airway associated with repeated gaps in breathing; therefore interrupting sleep and contributing to many side effects and various medical conditions; such as:

• Obesity/ Diabetes
• Concentration
• Stroke/ Heart Attack
• Fatigue and or Insomnia

If you or a loved one might be suffering from sleep apnea, be sure to make an appointment with an orthodontist that Pasadena trusts, like Dr. Karen Guinn.

Making the decision to straighten your teeth is much easier when you know that Invisalign® treatment lets you live your life the way you want to. With Invisalign aligners, you don’t need to worry about the gum and mouth irritation other teeth-straightening methods can cause.

Invisalign® clear aligners take a modern approach to straightening teeth, using a custom-made series of aligners created for you and only you. These aligners are made of smooth, comfortable and virtually invisible plastic that you simply wear over your teeth. Wearing the aligners (and switching to a new set typically every week) will gradually and gently shift your teeth into place, based on the exact movements your orthodontist plans out for you.

If you would like to learn more details about Invisalign®, visit our main Invisalign® page here.

We are happy to announce that The Smile Agency is now providing oral appliance therapy for obstructive sleep apnea and airway orthodontic treatment (arch development) for upper airway resistance and other related sleep related disorders. Oral appliance treatment can be used as an alternative therapy for non-compliant CPAP users, it is both recognized and accepted by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM).

The oral appliance therapies (OAT) that we use are the most advanced FDA-cleared appliances on the market today. These appliances keep the airway unobstructed during sleep by posturing the mandible in a forward position.

With the mandible held forward, the soft palate is unable to collapse and obstruct the airway; thus the open airway space decreases sleep apnea symptoms and provides immediate relief during sleep.

Snoring affects millions of people of all ages, both male and female. Oral appliance therapy is the most common treatment for the most severe snoring problems. Treatment procedures range from changing your sleep patterns to utilizing orthodontic-related appliances that help open the airways during sleep.

Results from Sleep Apnea and Orthodontic Appliance therapy has proven to be very positive:

• Increased restful sleep
• Increased academic performance
• Decreased daytime fatigue
• Increased energy
• Increased motivation
• Weight loss
• Decrease in blood pressure

If you feel you or a loved one could have Sleep Apnea or Airway Obstruction do not hesitate to contact our office immediately! The Smile Agency has two convenient locations to serve you. Ask for our OSA Treatment Coordinators-

Removable Retainers
Once the active orthodontic appliances are removed, the patient will receive retainers to stabilize the dental correction. Because the bone and soft tissues surrounding the teeth are stabilizing for several months after braces are removed, it is imperative that the retainers are worn as instructed. Failure to wear the retainers may result in undesirable movement of the teeth, which could necessitate re-treatment.

How retainers are worn
Because teeth can continue to move throughout life, we feel that individuals who have undergone orthodontic therapy should wear retainers indefinitely. A patient should wear retainers all the time for one year following the removal of braces.

After approximately one year, the patient can wear the retainer just at night. This is to allow the wisdom teeth to develop without ruining the patient’s beautiful smile. #DrName will see you every six to nine months to make recommendations on the wisdom teeth and an X-ray will be taken every one and a half years.)

Once the wisdom teeth have been decided on, wear your retainer at least one night per week. This is because, as you get older, the muscles that surround your teeth will get tighter and place pressure on your teeth, causing them to move or crowd.

How to care for retainers
Retainers are made of a thermoplastic material that is sensitive to excessive heat, so they should be kept away from heaters, dishwashers, car dashboards or any place where the temperatures exceed 115 degrees (Fº).
Retainers should be kept in the proper retainer case when they are not in the patient’s mouth.
Keep away from any family pets, as they like to chew on them.
Clean before and after placement in the mouth. Because the material used for fabrication is slightly porous, plaque tends to cling to the surfaces. Gentle scrubbing with a toothbrush and a mild liquid soap will remove the plaque. A denture cleaning solution, such as Efferdent, will aid in the removal of plaque and tartar. Be sure to rinse the retainers thoroughly after cleaning to remove any cleanser residue.
Because retainers are worn for years, they will need periodic replacement. Your original treatment contract includes one set of retainers after the braces are removed. If the retainers are lost or damaged due to neglect, there will be a charge for replacement. If the retainers become loose or break, contact our office immediately.

Fixed retainers (Bonded Wire)
This wire should stay on forever. The only exception is if your family dentist says you are not keeping it clean and it is beginning to cause gum or bone problems. If this should occur, please have the wire removed and replace it with a removable retainer. The removable retainer should then be worn as #DrName prescribes. The fixed wire will protect the teeth as the patient gets older and your facial muscles get tighter. Please have this wire monitored by your family dentist at your six-month check ups.

Habits or Conditions that Require Stronger Retention
Mouth breathing
Clenching and/or grinding of teeth (muscle hyperactivity)
Tongue thrusting, low tongue posture or abnormal tongue posture
Playing a musical instruments with a reed
Lip sucking
Pen or pencil biting
Spacing between the teeth prior to treatment
Severely rotated teeth
Our goal is to help your smile stay beautiful and healthy for a lifetime. Your cooperation is essential in order to achieve this goal.

Dental examinations and cleanings
The patient should continue with proper oral hygiene procedures at home, to include thorough brushing and flossing techniques. His or her family dentist should see the patient at least every six months for cleaning and dental examinations.