Our Commitment to Well-Being
Our philosophy centres on whole-person health rather than simply shifting teeth. We use advanced diagnostics, growth-friendly orthodontic techniques, and coordinated care to ensure every treatment plan supports healthy facial development, stable breathing patterns, and long-term wellness. By looking beyond tooth alignment, we’re able to identify how jaw structure, airway function, and oral habits influence overall health and daily comfort.
This comprehensive approach allows us to improve airway structure and nasal breathing, support proper tongue posture and swallowing patterns, guide jaw coordination, and encourage age-appropriate growth. We prioritize preventive, forward-thinking care designed to enhance breathing and function early on, helping patients experience better sleep, improved comfort, and a healthier foundation for lifelong oral health.
A Team Approach to Orthodontic Airway Treatment
Airway health involves much more than teeth and jaws, which is we use a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach. We work closely with dentists, ENT specialists, myofunctional therapists, sleep physicians, and other trusted professionals to ensure every aspect of breathing, facial growth, and overall airway function is thoroughly evaluated and supported.
Learn More About Our Team ApproachWhat to Expect When You Visit Our Orthodontists for Airway Issues
When you visit one of our Greater Vancouver orthodontists for an airway assessment, the process goes beyond checking your teeth. Your orthodontist begins by reviewing your breathing and sleep history, including symptoms such as headaches, mouth breathing, snoring, fatigue, or difficulty maintaining nasal airflow. This conversation helps identify patterns that may point to underlying airway or developmental issues.
Your exam includes a detailed assessment of airway structure, jaw development, facial growth, and functional habits. Advanced imaging and diagnostic tools may be used to measure airway space and evaluate factors such as tongue posture, lip seal, bite balance, and muscle function. Key areas assessed often include:
- Jaw and facial structure that may affect airflow
- Tongue posture and swallowing patterns
- Mouth breathing or sleep-related symptoms
- Crowding, crossbites, or narrow arches linked to airway restriction
After reviewing your results, your orthodontist provides a clear explanation of how your airway, growth patterns, and oral habits work together. You’ll receive personalized next steps, which may include orthodontic treatment (such as expansion, braces, or aligners), myofunctional therapy, or collaboration with ENT or sleep specialists. This team-based, airway-focused approach ensures your treatment plan supports healthier breathing, improved sleep, and long-term well-being.
What to Expect From Airway-Focused Orthodontic Treatment
Airway-focused orthodontic treatment is designed to improve both breathing function and long-term oral-facial development. Once your assessment is complete, your orthodontist will outline a personalized treatment plan that reflects your airway needs, growth stage, and overall health goals. Treatment is tailored to address the underlying structural or functional issues contributing to mouth breathing, sleep problems, or restricted airflow.
Most treatment plans involve a combination of orthodontic techniques and supportive therapies that work together to create a healthier, more stable airway. Depending on your needs, this may include jaw expansion, braces or clear aligners, growth guidance, a nighttime airway appliance, or myofunctional therapy to improve tongue posture and nasal breathing. Common treatment approaches may involve:
- Palatal or jaw expansion to widen the airway space
- Braces or aligners to improve bite balance and jaw function
- Myofunctional exercises to strengthen oral and facial muscles
- Collaboration with ENT or sleep specialists when needed
Throughout treatment, your orthodontist will monitor changes in breathing, sleep quality, facial development, and dental alignment to ensure progress is both effective and comfortable. This integrated approach helps support healthier nasal breathing, improved sleep, and long-term stability, allowing patients to experience meaningful benefits beyond a straighter smile.