What Is Airway Orthodontics And How Does It Work?

Orthodontics has traditionally focused on straightening teeth and correcting bite alignment. But in recent years, a growing number of providers are taking a more comprehensive approach—one that addresses not only your smile but also your breathing, sleep quality, and overall health. This field is known as airway orthodontics, and it’s transforming the way we think about orthodontic care.

Whether you're a parent exploring treatment for your child or an adult struggling with sleep or breathing issues, airway orthodontics may offer answers—and long-term solutions.

What Is Airway Orthodontics?

Airway orthodontics is a specialized approach to orthodontic care that focuses on the structure and function of the airway. It aims to identify and treat anatomical issues that may contribute to restricted airflow, poor sleep, and long-term health problems.

Rather than simply straightening teeth, airway orthodontics looks at how the position of the jaws, tongue, and facial bones affect your ability to breathe—especially during sleep. The goal is to create a properly functioning airway that allows for optimal nasal breathing, restful sleep, and healthy facial development.

Common conditions airway orthodontics can help with include:

• Chronic mouth breathing
• Snoring or noisy breathing during sleep
• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
• Narrow palate or crowded teeth
• Jaw pain or poor jaw development in children
• Frequent fatigue, brain fog, or attention difficulties
• Behavioral concerns in children linked to poor sleep

How Does Airway Orthodontics Work?

Airway orthodontics starts with a comprehensive evaluation of the airway, jaw structure, tongue posture, and breathing patterns. Orthodontists trained in this approach often use digital imaging, CBCT scans, 3D models, and airway analysis tools to assess the size and shape of the upper airway and identify areas of constriction.

Once the underlying issues are identified, a personalized treatment plan is created. This may include:

Palatal Expansion (Traditional or MARPE)

A narrow upper jaw can reduce nasal airflow and limit tongue space. Expanding the palate allows more room for proper tongue posture and increases the width of the nasal passages.

• MARPE (Minimally Invasive Rapid Palatal Expansion) is a modern technique used for teens and adults whose jawbones have already fused.
• It uses mini-implants to anchor the expander and allows the jaw to widen in a stable, non-surgical way.
• This can improve airflow, reduce snoring, and create better alignment of the bite.

Braces or Invisalign to Align the Jaws

Misaligned jaws or bites can push the tongue into the throat or prevent proper lip seal, leading to mouth breathing and nighttime airway obstruction. Orthodontic appliances like braces or clear aligners can:

• Reposition the jaws to improve oral posture and airway space
• Reduce strain on the facial muscles and TMJ
• Encourage proper tongue placement and nasal breathing

Custom Oral Appliances

In some cases, especially for adults with mild to moderate sleep apnea, oral appliances can be used during sleep to hold the lower jaw in a slightly forward position. This helps:

• Prevent the tongue from collapsing into the airway
• Maintain an open airway throughout the night
• Reduce or eliminate snoring and breathing interruptions

Myofunctional Therapy

This involves a series of exercises designed to strengthen the muscles of the tongue, lips, cheeks, and throat. When used alongside orthodontic treatment, it can:

• Improve tongue posture and nasal breathing habits
• Train the lips to stay closed naturally at rest
• Reduce open-mouth posture and oral dysfunction

Who Is a Good Candidate for Airway Orthodontics?

Airway orthodontics is often recommended for both children and adults who show signs of compromised breathing or poor oral posture, including:

• Chronic mouth breathing during the day or at night
• Snoring, sleep apnea, or restless sleep
• Fatigue even after a full night's sleep
• Difficulty focusing, irritability, or behavioral issues
• High, narrow palate or crowded teeth
• Jaw pain, teeth clenching, or TMJ symptoms
• Facial development concerns in growing children

Early treatment is especially beneficial for children, as it can guide healthy jaw and airway development and prevent future problems. However, even adults who have struggled with breathing or sleep issues for years can benefit from airway-focused orthodontic care.

Why Is Airway Health So Important?

When the airway is restricted—by a small jaw, poor tongue posture, or narrow palate—your body is forced to work harder just to get oxygen, especially at night. This can lead to chronic fatigue, poor sleep, and even systemic health issues.

Improving airway function can lead to benefits such as:

• Better, more restorative sleep
• Improved concentration, behavior, and mood
• Reduced risk of conditions like high blood pressure and heart disease
• Better athletic performance and energy levels
• Balanced facial development in children
• Less teeth grinding, jaw tension, and TMJ discomfort

How Is Airway Orthodontics Different from Traditional Orthodontics?

While both traditional and airway orthodontics improve the appearance and function of the smile, airway orthodontics takes a broader, whole-body approach. It looks beyond the teeth to evaluate how jaw growth, bite position, and oral habits impact breathing and health.

Key differences include:

Focus of Treatment:

• Traditional orthodontics focuses on aligning the teeth and correcting bite issues.
• Airway orthodontics also evaluates how the jaw and airway influence breathing and sleep.

Evaluation Tools:

• Traditional treatment uses X-rays and dental impressions.
• Airway orthodontics includes airway imaging, sleep assessments, and facial growth analysis.

Goals of Treatment:

• Traditional treatment aims for cosmetic and functional improvements.
• Airway orthodontics seeks to improve airway volume, sleep quality, and overall wellness.

Approach to Jaw Growth:

• Traditional methods may rely on tooth extractions or retraction.
• Airway orthodontics often promotes jaw expansion and growth guidance, especially in children.

Is Airway Orthodontics Right for You or Your Child?

If you or your child has been experiencing symptoms like mouth breathing, snoring, poor sleep, or crowded teeth, it’s worth exploring an airway-focused orthodontic evaluation.

You may benefit from airway orthodontics if:

• You snore or gasp during sleep
• You’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea
• You or your child breathe through the mouth instead of the nose
• You feel tired even after a full night’s sleep
• There’s a history of orthodontic relapse or bite problems
• You’ve noticed facial changes or developmental concerns in your child

Why Choose Bergen Orthodontics for Airway Orthodontics in New Jersey?

When it comes to airway orthodontics, experience and precision matter. At Bergen Orthodontics, we go beyond traditional orthodontic care to help patients of all ages achieve not only a beautiful smile—but better breathing, healthier sleep, and improved overall wellness.

Here’s why families across New Jersey trust us for airway-focused care:

Specialists in Airway-Centered Orthodontics

Our team has extensive training in identifying and treating airway-related concerns, including mouth breathing, sleep apnea, and jaw development issues. We take a comprehensive approach that looks at how the jaws, teeth, and airway all work together—so treatment is designed for your health, not just your smile.

Leaders in MARPE and Non-Surgical Expansion

We offer advanced solutions like MARPE (Minimally Invasive Rapid Palatal Expansion) to help teens and adults achieve better airflow without surgery. This innovative technique is one of the most effective tools for improving nasal breathing and relieving sleep-related issues caused by narrow jaws or constricted palates.

Advanced Technology for Accurate Diagnosis

Using 3D imaging, airway scans, and digital treatment planning, we’re able to see the full picture of your airway health and tailor treatment plans with incredible precision.

Collaborative Care with Medical Providers

We work closely with sleep physicians, ENTs, and pediatricians to ensure your airway orthodontic treatment is part of a well-rounded care plan. Our coordinated approach delivers more effective results—especially for patients with complex health needs.

Compassionate, Personalized Treatment

From your first consultation to your final visit, we make sure you feel heard, informed, and supported. Every patient’s case is unique, and we take the time to create a plan that meets your specific needs, lifestyle, and goals.

Flexible Payment Options

We believe breathing better and sleeping well shouldn’t be out of reach. That’s why we offer affordable payment plans, accept HSA/FSA funds, and help you navigate your insurance benefits when airway treatment is medically necessary.

Take the First Step Toward Healthier Breathing and Better Sleep

At Bergen Orthodontics, we don’t just treat teeth—we help people live healthier, breathe easier, and sleep better. If you or your child is struggling with symptoms related to airway restriction, we’re here to help you take the next step with confidence.

Schedule a consultation today to learn more about airway orthodontics and discover how our expert team can support your long-term health.