Airway-Focused - Dr. Billy Arnold

Airway-Focused Orthodontics

What Happens If You Align the Teeth but Miss the Airway?

If your child has crowded teeth, a narrow jaw, or a tired, open-mouthed look there’s likely more going on than spacing. Mouth breathing, poor sleep, and misaligned jaws are often connected.

Airway-focused orthodontics helps us treat the root cause early. Instead of waiting for a full set of adult teeth, we guide jaw growth while it’s still happening.

This approach creates room for all permanent teeth while also supporting full airway development.

What Parents Notice
Beforethe Teeth Shift

What Parents Notice Before
the Teeth Shift

You may have seen signs like:

These are not just cosmetic concerns. They may point to underdeveloped jaws or airway restriction. Many families are told to “wait and see” but early intervention gives us the best chance to support growth, health, and confidence.

“Why Not Wait Until They’re 13?”

Why Straight Teeth Are Only Part of the Story

Traditional braces often begin at age 13 or 14 and focus only on tooth alignment. But most jaw growth is already complete by that age.

Airway orthodontics starts earlier and takes a broader view.

We ask:

The goal isn’t just to make the smile look better. It’s to guide the jaws to grow properly, open the airway, and support long-term health.

Myth: Straight Teeth Mean Everything Is Fine”

My Approach: Expand, Don’t Extract

In many cases, the upper jaw is too narrow to allow proper tongue posture or nasal breathing. Rather than pulling teeth to make room, we help the jaws grow to their natural size.

I use gentle, kid-friendly appliances that fit the child’s stage of development:

Every plan is personalized. We also introduce nasal breathing support, oral habit correction, and exercises to help the tongue rest in the right place.

What to Expect

Step
1

Functional Consultation

We begin with a full assessment of your child’s breathing, bite, posture, and jaw growth. I may take photos, X-rays, or 3D scans to evaluate airway space, tongue position, and facial symmetry.

Step
2

Personalized Growth Plan

You’ll receive a clear, custom plan that may include an expander, trainer, or orthopedic device. We’ll also discuss any needed referrals, such as to a myofunctional therapist or ENT.

Step
3

Active Treatment

Once the appliance is in place, we’ll guide you through how to use it at home. Most visits are quick and low-stress. Kids adapt well, and we make sure they understand the process in simple terms.

Step
4

Monitoring and Retention

We track progress regularly not just in tooth alignment, but in sleep, breathing, and oral habits. After expansion is complete, we’ll maintain results with a retainer or follow-up plan. If a second phase of orthodontics is needed later, it’s often shorter and simpler.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my child too young for orthodontics?

If your child is 5 or older and has signs of jaw restriction or mouth breathing, now may be the best time to intervene. The earlier we start, the more gently we can guide growth.

What if my child already had braces?

Airway orthodontics is different. If traditional treatment didn’t address root causes like mouth breathing or tongue posture, relapse is possible. A functional evaluation may help prevent that.

Will the appliance affect speech or eating?

Some kids have a brief adjustment period, but most adapt quickly. We provide tips and support along the way. And we involve kids in the process so they feel empowered, not anxious.

Do expanders hurt?

Most children feel gentle pressure but not pain. The devices are kid-friendly and adjusted gradually. I always walk families through what to expect.

Will this change how my child looks?

Yes and in a positive way. When jaws grow as they should, facial balance improves. Cheekbones become more prominent, lips close more easily, and the smile looks naturally wide.

What Comes Next

If your child’s crowded teeth or tired eyes feel like part of a bigger story, trust that instinct. We can take a close look together and find out what’s really going on.

Schedule a virtual or in-person consultation when the time feels right.

We’ll explore your child’s breathing, jaw growth, and sleep patterns. Then we’ll build a plan that supports their health from the inside out.