What Makes Our Smile & Breathe Method Different
The Smile & Breathe Method is an approach developed by our orthodontic team to look beyond straight teeth and consider how the airway, jaw growth, facial development, tongue posture, breathing patterns, and sleep quality work together. Instead of focusing solely on dental alignment, this method takes a broader view of how these systems may influence long-term comfort and overall well-being.
Our orthodontists have noticed that patients and families often had questions about the relationship between orthodontic issues and airway health. Our Smile & Breathe Method provides our team with a clear, unified way to explore these connections and help patients understand the “why” behind treatment recommendations. This framework allows our clinicians to communicate more effectively, tailor care to the individual, and ensure that each patient’s unique patterns and goals are thoughtfully considered.
Our Commitment to Patients
We are committed to thoughtful, prevention-minded, individualized orthodontic care. Our team values clear communication, science-backed decisions, and a supportive partnership with each patient. We believe everyone deserves care that considers not only their smile but also the broader factors that influence long-term well-being.
Book An Assessment With Our TeamThe Smile & Breathe Process
Our Smile & Breathe Process emphasizes the importance of understanding how facial growth, oral posture, and daily habits work together. By evaluating these interconnected factors, we can design personalized treatment plans that consider each element as part of a comprehensive solution.
This approach relies on careful observation, ongoing monitoring, and collaboration when helpful. Treatment may include traditional orthodontic tools, habit guidance, or growth-focused strategies, each selected based on what is most appropriate for the individual.
What this process may include:
- In-depth evaluation of airway health and breathing patterns
- Guidance to support healthy jaw and facial development
- Functional assessments related to swallowing, oral posture, and breathing
- Technology-assisted monitoring to track progress over time
- Collaboration with other healthcare providers when beneficial
This process reflects our belief that orthodontic care can be most effective when it considers the whole person, not only their smile, but the structures and habits that support long-term comfort and function.
FAQs About Our Smile & Breathe Method
If you’re new to the Smile & Breathe Method, the answers to these frequently asked questions can help explain how this approach works, what it considers, and how it may guide the care you receive from our team of Greater Vancouver orthodontists.
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Can the Smile & Breathe Method be used with braces or aligners?
Yes. Braces, aligners, and other orthodontic tools can be part of a Smile & Breathe treatment plan developed by our orthodontists. The method isn’t tied to one appliance—it’s a way of evaluating the patient as a whole and choosing tools that best support their individual needs.
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Does the method involve other healthcare providers?
When helpful, our team may work collaboratively with providers such as ENTs, pediatricians, sleep specialists, or myofunctional therapists. This allows patients to receive well-rounded insight into how different aspects of their health may be connected.
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Does this method diagnose sleep or airway disorders?
No. The Smile & Breathe Method does not diagnose medical conditions. However, if we observe signs that may relate to breathing or sleep quality, we may recommend collaborating with healthcare professionals such as ENTs, sleep physicians, or myofunctional therapists for further evaluation.
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How does this method influence treatment planning?
Treatment plans may include traditional orthodontic tools such as braces, aligners, or growth-guiding appliances. The difference is that selections are made with an awareness of how the jaws, airway, posture, and facial growth patterns interact. This helps ensure treatment is approached in a way that supports function as well as alignment.
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Is the Smile & Breathe Method a recognized dental specialty?
No. It is not a formal dental specialty or standardized clinical protocol. It is the framework our orthodontists use to evaluate how different anatomical and functional factors may relate to a patient’s orthodontic needs and overall comfort.
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Is the Smile & Breathe Method only for children?
No. While growing children often benefit from early guidance around jaw development and breathing habits, teens and adults may also appreciate a more comprehensive evaluation, especially if they experience mouth breathing, jaw tension, chronic grinding, or challenges with nasal airflow.
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What happens during a Smile & Breathe assessment?
Our orthodontists review dental alignment along with factors such as oral posture, facial growth patterns, breathing habits, arch shape, and any signs of airway-related strain. Digital imaging and growth assessments may be used to help understand how these elements relate to your overall function.
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What is the Smile & Breathe Method?
The Smile & Breathe Method is a care philosophy developed by our orthodontic team that considers more than just tooth alignment. It considers airway development, jaw and facial growth, tongue posture, breathing habits, and sleep-related concerns to help guide orthodontic planning. This approach gives our team of Greater Vancouver orthodontists a broader understanding of how a patient functions day to day.
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What makes this method different from traditional orthodontics?
Traditional orthodontic approaches focus largely on straightening teeth and bite misalignments. The Smile & Breathe Method adds additional layers of evaluation by considering breathing, posture, growth patterns, and nighttime function. This broader perspective helps our team understand how orthodontic concerns may connect with overall well-being.
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Why does the method look at breathing and airway development?
Breathing patterns, nasal airflow, and airway space can influence oral posture, jaw growth, and nighttime function. By considering these relationships, our team can better understand whether certain habits or structural patterns may be contributing to orthodontic issues.