Most people think of orthodontics as a way to straighten teeth and improve smiles. But there's a powerful side to this specialty that often goes unnoticed: improving how you breathe. Airway orthodontics focuses on how the position of your teeth and jaws can affect your ability to breathe, sleep, and function properly. If you or your child struggles with snoring, mouth breathing, or even obstructive sleep apnea, our Grand Rapids, MI, airway orthodontists can help you with this life-changing solution.
Here’s what you need to know about orthodontic treatment for better breathing.
The Connection Between Breathing & Your Jaw
The structure of your face directly impacts your airway. If the upper or lower jaws are too small, too far back, or poorly aligned, they can crowd the tongue and narrow the airway. This makes it harder to breathe through the nose and can force someone to breathe through their mouth, especially at night. That’s why problems like snoring, chronic fatigue, and sleep apnea are often linked to jaw development.
Our local airway orthodontists are trained not only in moving teeth, but also in dentofacial orthopedics, guiding the growth and position of facial bones to create better balance, function, and airflow. For growing children, this often includes Phase 1 orthodontics, where early intervention with appliances like palatal expanders helps shape the airway and promote forward jaw growth.
Addressing Sleep Apnea & Mouth Breathing
starts with understanding how the airway is being blocked. In children, enlarged tonsils or adenoids can play a major role. Our team works closely with ENT specialists and pulmonologists when needed, combining airway treatment with an orthodontist and medical care for a full-picture approach.
In many cases, growth-oriented treatment can create more room for the tongue and reduce obstruction:
- Palatal expanders to widen the upper jaw and nasal airway
- Appliances that encourage lower jaw growth in children
- Mandibular advancement splints for adults with sleep apnea
For non-growing adults, treatment might involve more advanced procedures like MARPE (miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion) or SARPE (surgically assisted expansion) to create space and improve breathing. If your airway problems stem from jaw position or crowding, adult orthodontic treatment with Invisalign® clear aligners, ceramic braces, or traditional metal braces can be combined with airway-focused care to dramatically improve your sleep and quality of life.
Orthodontic Options That Support Airway Health
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Our orthodontists create custom treatment plans that support both aesthetic goals and airway health. Some of the tools we use include:
- Traditional metal braces – Proven effective for complex bite and alignment issues.
- Ceramic braces – A more discreet option with the same power as metal braces.
- Invisalign aligners – Great for teens and adults who want a low-visibility treatment with flexibility.
These systems do more than straighten teeth. They can help align the jaws, reduce crowding, and make room for the tongue, all key elements in orthodontic treatment designed to promote better breathing.
Airway Orthodontics for Children & Adults
Taking a child to the orthodontist early can make a big difference. Because a child’s bones are still growing, we can guide development with non-invasive appliances that improve both form and function. This includes Phase 1 orthodontics and expanders that promote nasal breathing and reduce the risk of future sleep-disordered breathing.
For those who are older, getting braces as an adult isn’t just about cosmetics. Straightening teeth with braces or undergoing clear aligner treatment can also open up airway space, especially when combined with treatments like MARPE. Even adults with proper jaw alignment can benefit from airway-focused care that increases tongue space and improves nighttime breathing.
When to Schedule an Airway Consultation
If you or your child experiences any of the following, it might be time to consider scheduling the :
- Mouth breathing, especially at night
- Snoring or restless sleep
- Difficulty concentrating or daytime fatigue
- Narrow jaws or crowded teeth
- Diagnosed or suspected sleep apnea
These are not just dental concerns, they’re reasons why you might need braces or other airway-focused interventions. An airway consultation with our team helps pinpoint the root cause and outline a treatment plan that brings relief and long-term health improvements.
Make an Appointment Today
Our , care about giving you a straight smile, but we also want to help you breathe easier, sleep better, and live healthier. Whether you're a parent scheduling your child’s first orthodontic appointment or an adult considering getting started yourself, our team is available for you. Call Armbrecht & Wierenga Orthodontics today at (616) 455-4800 or contact us online to schedule an appointment.