Airway orthodontics is a branch of orthodontic care that focuses on developing the structures of the face, jaws, and airway to support healthy breathing—especially nasal breathing. It aims to address the root causes of breathing and sleep challenges, not just the appearance of the smile.
This approach looks at how jaw development, tongue posture, and airway size interact and affect overall health. Rather than waiting until all permanent teeth are in, airway orthodontics often begins earlier to guide growth and prevent future problems.
Traditional orthodontics primarily focuses on aligning the teeth and improving bite function. While these goals are important, they may not address the underlying anatomical factors that affect breathing, posture, and long-term health.
Airway orthodontics takes a more comprehensive approach by considering the airway, facial development, and the function of the tongue and jaws. The goal is to help patients breathe better, sleep better, and enjoy improved health—while still achieving a functional, attractive smile.
Many early signs of airway-related issues are easy to miss, especially because they don’t always seem related to orthodontics. If your child shows any of the following symptoms, it may be time to schedule an airway evaluation:
- Frequent mouth breathing, especially during sleep
- Snoring or noisy breathing at night
- Restless sleep or frequent tossing and turning
- Bedwetting beyond the typical age
- Behavioral or attention challenges
- Teeth grinding during sleep
- Narrow dental arches or crowded baby teeth
- Dark circles under the eyes, sometimes called “allergic shiners”
Identifying and addressing these signs early can prevent more serious health and dental issues later in life.
No, airway orthodontics can benefit both children and adults. While early treatment allows us to guide growth during key developmental stages, adults can also see significant improvements in sleep, breathing, and jaw function.
For adults, treatment may involve a combination of appliances, myofunctional therapy, and coordination with other specialists. Many adult patients seek airway orthodontics to relieve symptoms such as snoring, obstructive sleep apnea, fatigue, chronic headaches, and jaw pain.
Airway issues can result from a combination of genetic, environmental, and developmental factors. These problems often begin early in life and can continue into adulthood if not addressed.
Common causes include:
- Genetics that lead to a narrow palate or small jaw structure
- Allergies and chronic nasal congestion
- Tongue-tie or low tongue posture
- Enlarged tonsils or adenoids
- Prolonged thumb-sucking or pacifier use
- Habitual mouth breathing
- Poor posture, especially forward head posture
These factors can restrict nasal breathing and disrupt healthy facial growth, leading to compromised airway space and related symptoms.
Airway orthodontics is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Every treatment plan is customized based on the patient’s age, anatomy, and specific needs. The goal is to correct the underlying causes of breathing problems—not just shift teeth into place.
Treatment options may include:
- Palatal expansion to widen the upper jaw and create more space in the nasal airway
- Myofunctional therapy to retrain tongue posture and support proper breathing
- Orthodontic appliances to guide jaw growth and alignment
- Collaboration with ENT specialists, sleep physicians, or myofunctional therapists
Together, these treatments support long-term improvements in both dental health and airway function.
We recommend an initial evaluation as early as age 3 if symptoms are present. By age 7, most children are ready for a comprehensive airway and growth assessment. This evaluation allows us to detect early signs of underdeveloped jaws, poor tongue posture, or airway obstruction.
The earlier we identify a problem, the more options we have for non-invasive, growth-guided correction. Early intervention can reduce the need for extractions, headgear, or more extensive orthodontic treatment in the future.
Yes, airway orthodontics can play an important role in reducing or eliminating obstructive sleep apnea, especially in children. By expanding the upper jaw and improving nasal breathing, we can often resolve mild to moderate cases of sleep-disordered breathing without the need for a CPAP machine.
In adults, airway orthodontics may be part of a larger treatment plan that includes oral appliance therapy, myofunctional therapy, and coordination with a sleep specialist. While not every case of sleep apnea is structural, improving airway volume often helps reduce the severity of symptoms.
Most airway orthodontic treatments are gentle and designed to work with the body’s natural growth. For children, the process is usually well-tolerated and becomes part of their daily routine. Appliances may feel unfamiliar at first, but discomfort typically fades within a few days.
Adults may experience some pressure or minor soreness when using expanders or repositioning appliances, but it is generally mild and temporary. Our team provides guidance and support every step of the way to ensure a comfortable experience.
Treatment time depends on several factors, including the patient’s age, the severity of the airway restriction, and the goals of therapy. In general:
- Early intervention cases may take 6 to 12 months
- More complex developmental guidance may require 18 to 24 months
- Adult treatment varies widely depending on anatomy and desired outcomes
While results can take time, each phase is designed with long-term health and function in mind. We’ll walk you through every step of the plan so you always know what to expect.
Have more questions?
We’re here to help. Whether you’re just starting to explore treatment or you’ve already noticed signs of a possible airway issue, our team is ready to answer your questions and guide you through the next steps.
Contact our Sacramento office at (916) 435-9575 to schedule an evaluation and learn more about how airway orthodontics can support better breathing and lifelong health.
