Breathing & Airway Health
Airway health is complex. We screen for signs of breathing concerns and coordinate with trusted medical specialists when needed.
Free Consultation
The Orthodontic-Airway Connection
Airway health and sleep-disordered breathing are complex conditions with some known and many unknown causes. At Graf Orthodontics, we screen patients for sleep and breathing disorders.
If we notice signs that you or your child may suffer from airway issues, we will refer you to a trusted sleep physician. A true diagnosis of sleep apnea or sleep-disordered breathing can only come from a sleep physician through the gold-standard polysomnograph test.
Signs of Airway Restriction
In Children
- Chronic mouth breathing
- Snoring
- Restless sleep
- Bedwetting
- Difficulty focusing (ADHD-like symptoms)
- Crowded teeth
In Adults
- Snoring
- Gasping/choking during sleep
- Daytime fatigue
- Morning headaches
- Difficulty breathing through nose
- High blood pressure
- Narrow smile
How Jaw Structure Can Affect Breathing
- Narrow Palate: A narrow upper jaw may be associated with reduced space for the tongue and nasal airway
- Recessed Lower Jaw: When the lower jaw is set back, tongue posture and airway space may be affected
- Small Jaws: Underdeveloped jaws can contribute to crowding and limited oral space
- Poor Tongue Position: Jaw width can influence whether the tongue can rest naturally on the palate
Orthodontic Solutions for Airway Issues
Palatal Expansion
At the discretion of your sleep physician, expansion may in some cases potentially alleviate obstruction to the nasal airway if your teeth would also benefit from expansion.
Jaw Advancement
For selected growing patients, jaw guidance may be part of orthodontic treatment when the bite and growth pattern call for it.
Arch Development
Arch development may improve space for teeth and tongue posture when it is orthodontically indicated.
Early Intervention
Early orthodontic evaluation can identify growth patterns, dental narrowing, or breathing signs that deserve monitoring or medical referral.
Our Collaborative Approach
Through a multidisciplinary approach, we aim to provide conservative, science-backed treatment solutions to patients who suffer from airway and breathing issues. Orthodontics is one piece of the larger medical picture.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends evaluation by age 7 to identify orthodontic growth and dental development issues early.