Can Orthodontics Fix Sleep Apnea?

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with sleep apnea, you already know how disruptive it can be. From restless nights and daytime fatigue to more serious health risks like high blood pressure and heart disease, untreated sleep apnea can affect nearly every aspect of your well-being.

For many patients, treatment starts with a CPAP machine—but not everyone tolerates it well, and it doesn’t address the root cause of the condition. That’s why more people are turning to orthodontics for a solution. But can orthodontic treatment actually fix sleep apnea?

The short answer: Yes—in many cases, it can. Certain orthodontic treatments, particularly those focused on expanding the airway and correcting jaw alignment, can reduce or even eliminate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) symptoms, especially when the cause is anatomical.

Let’s break it down and explore how orthodontics fits into the bigger picture of sleep apnea care—and whether it might be the right solution for you or your child.

Understanding Sleep Apnea

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)?

OSA is a sleep disorder in which the soft tissues in the back of the throat relax or collapse during sleep, causing repeated pauses in breathing. These interruptions can last for 10 seconds or more and may happen dozens to hundreds of times per night, leading to disrupted sleep and lowered oxygen levels.

Common symptoms of sleep apnea include:

• Loud, chronic snoring
• Gasping or choking during sleep
• Dry mouth or sore throat in the morning
• Daytime drowsiness or trouble focusing
• Morning headaches
• Irritability or mood swings
• Waking up feeling unrested despite a full night’s sleep

Over time, these symptoms can contribute to serious health conditions, including:

• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Type 2 diabetes
• Depression and anxiety
• Increased risk of stroke

In children, untreated sleep apnea can result in:

• Hyperactivity or ADHD-like behavior
• Learning difficulties
• Stunted growth
• Narrow facial development

What Causes Sleep Apnea?

While factors like weight, age, and lifestyle can contribute to OSA, structural anatomy often plays a major role—especially in younger patients and those who have struggled with sleep and breathing issues for much of their life.

Structural contributors to sleep apnea can include:

• A narrow upper jaw (palate)
• Recessed lower jaw or overbite
• Crowded teeth or poor oral posture
• Large tonsils or adenoids (common in children)
• High-arched palate that restricts nasal airflow

This is where orthodontics becomes an effective, non-invasive option—by addressing the physical structures causing airway obstruction.

How Orthodontics Can Help Fix Sleep Apnea

Orthodontic treatment does much more than create straight teeth. It can also reshape the jaws and optimize the size and stability of the airway. Depending on your age and needs, we may recommend one or more of the following treatments:

MARPE (Minimally Invasive Rapid Palatal Expansion)

MARPE is one of the most advanced tools in airway orthodontics. It's designed to widen the upper jaw, which often has a direct impact on both oral and nasal airway space. Unlike traditional expanders used in children, MARPE is effective for older teens and adults because it anchors to the bone with small implants (TADs), enabling expansion even after the jaw has fully developed.

How MARPE helps with sleep apnea:

• Increases nasal volume, making nasal breathing easier
• Creates space for the tongue, preventing it from falling back and blocking the airway
• Can significantly reduce or eliminate snoring and nighttime breathing disruptions
• Offers a non-surgical, long-term solution for structurally based OSA

Braces or Invisalign for Jaw and Bite Correction

Misaligned jaws can cause the tongue to rest improperly or fall back during sleep, leading to airway blockage. Orthodontic appliances like braces or Invisalign can correct:

• Overbites, which push the lower jaw back and reduce airway size
• Underbites, which can affect tongue position and airflow
• Crossbites and narrow arches, which reduce space in the oral cavity

By repositioning the jaws and teeth, these treatments improve facial balance and create better conditions for unobstructed breathing.

Oral Sleep Appliances

Some patients benefit from custom-designed oral appliances that hold the jaw in a slightly forward position while sleeping. This prevents the collapse of soft tissues and keeps the airway open. These devices are often used for mild to moderate OSA or in combination with orthodontic treatment.

Myofunctional Therapy

Mouth breathing, poor tongue posture, and weak oral muscles often go hand-in-hand with sleep apnea. Myofunctional therapy uses targeted exercises to retrain the tongue, lips, and facial muscles, supporting healthy nasal breathing and airway function.
This is especially helpful in children and can be combined with orthodontics for lasting results.

Can Orthodontics Completely Fix Sleep Apnea?

In many cases, yes—orthodontic treatment can correct the underlying anatomical issues causing airway obstruction, especially in teens and young adults. For others, it can greatly reduce symptoms, decrease dependence on CPAP therapy, and improve sleep quality and health outcomes.

Orthodontics is particularly effective when:

• Sleep apnea is tied to a narrow palate or small jaw
• The patient has bite issues affecting tongue position or airflow
• CPAP is not well-tolerated or desired
• A non-surgical, long-term solution is preferred

However, it’s important to note that severe or medically complex cases of OSA may still require collaboration with a sleep physician or ENT. That’s why working with an orthodontist who understands both airway structure and multidisciplinary care is key to achieving the best results.

How Do You Know If You're a Candidate for Orthodontic Sleep Apnea Treatment?

You may benefit from orthodontic intervention if you:

• Have been diagnosed with mild to moderate OSA
• Experience snoring, gasping, or mouth breathing during sleep
• Have a history of narrow jaws or crowded teeth
• Prefer to avoid surgery or long-term use of CPAP
• Are looking for a natural, structural solution to breathing issues
• Have a child with snoring, hyperactivity, or sleep-disordered breathing

Bergen Orthodontics: Trusted Sleep Apnea Orthodontist in New Jersey

At Bergen Orthodontics, we go beyond traditional orthodontics to offer comprehensive, airway-centered care that helps you or your child breathe easier and sleep better.

We specialize in MARPE and advanced orthodontic solutions designed to support long-term airway health—without the need for surgery or reliance on machines.

Why Choose Bergen Orthodontics?

• Experienced in airway-focused treatment — We understand how jaw development affects breathing and tailor each plan accordingly.
• Leaders in MARPE expansion — We use the latest techniques to widen the jaw and improve airflow in teens and adults.
• Advanced diagnostics — We utilize 3D imaging, airway scans, and digital models to assess your unique anatomy.
• Collaborative approach — We work with sleep specialists and medical providers when needed to ensure well-rounded care.
• Personalized, compassionate care — Every smile—and every airway—is different. We take the time to get it right.

Take the First Step Toward Better Sleep—Naturally

If you or your child is struggling with snoring, mouth breathing, or sleep apnea, orthodontics may be the solution you've been searching for. With the right treatment plan, it’s possible to restore healthy breathing, eliminate sleep disturbances, and improve your overall quality of life.

Schedule a consultation with Bergen Orthodontics today to explore how MARPE, jaw alignment, and airway-focused care can help fix sleep apnea at its source.