Dr. William Harrell is an expert in airway analysis and treatments for sleep disordered breathing, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). He studied under pioneers and leading experts in the field of sleep apnea treatment, including Dr. Christian Guilleminault, the father of sleep medicine, and has significant skill and experience in helping patients improve their nighttime breathing to enjoy a healthier quality of life.
Here at Harrell Orthodontics, we provide nasal resistance studies to analyze your airway and airflow. Nasal airway resistance is the resistance offered by your nasal cavity to the air you inhale. There are many factors which can contribute to this resistance, including your airways as well as the length of your nose. Nasal resistance testing studies all these factors, taking measurements using a variety of technologies in order to make a precise diagnosis. Our practice is the first in Alabama to offer these studies, and we will work closely with you to make the most accurate analysis of your nasal resistance and airways and create an appropriate treatment plan. Our team uses the most advanced 3D imaging technology available to find the anatomic truth of your airways and ensure that your treatment plan meets your precise needs.
Among the nasal resistance studies we perform are:
- Rhinomanometry
- Acoustic Rhinomanometry
- Peak Nasal Inspiratory Flow (PNIF)
Rhinomanometry
Rhinomanometry measures air pressure and the rate of airflow during breathing. It is a physical and functional measure of pressure-flow relationships during your normal inspiration and expiration through the nose. Our orthodontist can then use the measurements of this test to calculate nasal airway resistance. This test can help determine nasal obstruction and evaluate sleep apnea.
Acoustic Rhinomanometry
Acoustic rhinomanometry uses a reflected sound signal to measure the cross-sectional area and volume of your nasal passage. Acoustic rhinomanometry gives an anatomic description of a nasal passage, measuring nasal anatomic landmarks to provide information on the precise structure and dimensions of the nasal cavity.
Peak Nasal Inspiratory Flow (PNIF)
Peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) is a noninvasive method used to assess nasal patency, or how open the nose is. It tests the ability of a person to breathe through their nose, measuring the maximum airflow a patient can produce through nasal inspiration. It is often used in combination with rhinomanometry to produce the most accurate results. Harrell Orthodontics is currently the only office to provide PNIF testing in Alabama.
We invite you to call us today at 256-234-6353 to schedule your consultation with our orthodontist and learn more about nasal resistance studies in Alexander City, Alabama!