Airway Orthodontic to Improve Healthy Breathing

Airway orthodontics focuses on more than achieving straight teeth and a beautiful smile, it is about helping patients experience healthier breathing, improved sleep, and better overall quality of life. At Harwell & Cook Orthodontics, we understand the strong connection between oral structure and systemic health. That’s why evaluating the airway is an essential part of our diagnostic process.

Certain oral habits, narrow jaws, and skeletal imbalances can contribute to Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB). Airway orthodontics uses targeted, non-invasive methods, such as widening the upper jaw or guiding proper lower jaw development, to create more space in the airway and improve airflow during sleep. We not only treat airway disorders, but we also work to prevent them by promoting healthy jaw growth early in life.

What Are Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB)?

OSA occurs when the muscles of the throat, including the tongue and soft palate, relax during sleep and block the airway. This blockage can briefly cut off breathing, leading to repeated episodes where airflow stops or becomes restricted. These events may occur 5 to 30 times per hour, lowering oxygen levels and disrupting deep, restorative sleep.

Even without fully waking up, a person may snore, gasp, or choke throughout the night. Over time, this constant interruption triggers stress responses in the body, raising blood pressure and heart rate.

Common effects include headaches, difficulty concentrating, irritability, fatigue, weight gain, and mood changes. Children may struggle with learning, focus, or behavior in school. Long-term, untreated OSA has been linked to high blood pressure, weakened immunity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.

We evaluate every patient for airway concerns because early detection is key to healthier, happier lives.

What Symptoms Suggest OSA or SDB?

Individuals with airway disorders may show one or more of the following:

Snoring, mouth breathing, pauses in breathing during sleep, restless nights, daytime sleepiness, snorting or gasping, nighttime sweating or bedwetting, difficulty gaining weight, short attention span or hyperactivity, and learning or behavioral challenges.

Recognizing these signs early allows for timely evaluation and effective treatment.

What Causes OSA and SDB?

Airway obstruction can be caused by:

• Enlarged tonsils or adenoids
• Limited space for the tongue due to narrow jaws, a recessed upper or lower jaw, or a tongue-tie
• Obesity (more common in adults)

Understanding the root cause helps us develop a targeted, effective treatment plan.

What Treatments Help Improve Airway Health?

Depending on the cause and severity of the airway concern, treatment may include:

Reduction or Removal of Obstructive Tissues

Removing enlarged tonsils or adenoids can greatly improve airflow and nasal breathing in children.

Growth-Oriented, Non-Invasive Orthodontics

Our innovative approach focuses on guiding proper jaw growth to open the airway. Techniques may include upper jaw expansion, lower jaw advancement, orthopedic appliances to widen the arches, and early-age treatments that support balanced facial development.

We use non-invasive, future-focused methods so treatment fits easily into daily life and supports long-term health.

How Does Harwell & Cook Orthodontics Approach Airway Treatment?

What sets us apart is our commitment to looking ahead. When treating children, we ask:

• “How will their jaw develop?”
• “How can we help prevent airway disorders later?”
• “How can we support a well-balanced jaw throughout life?”

By evaluating jaw structure early and making targeted changes, Dr. Anthony Harwell and Dr. Tanner Cook help treat airway disorders conservatively and effectively, without disrupting daily routines.

Additionally, noisy breathing or snoring are key signs that you or your child may have an airway disorder. We check every patient because proper airway function is essential for healthy development and overall wellness.

What Does the Airway Treatment Process Look Like?

01. Free Consultation

Come in for your complimentary consultation! We review your needs and begin evaluating airway, jaw structure, and facial balance.

02. Customized Treatment Plan

Dr. Harwell and Dr. Cook create a fully personalized plan designed to address the root cause of your airway disorder using non-invasive orthodontic methods.

03. Breathe Easier

Once treatment is complete, you’ll leave feeling better than ever—knowing your airway was treated in a conservative, innovative way that supports long-term health.

When Should Airway Concerns Be Evaluated?

Early evaluation is key. Many airway-focused treatments work best around ages 6 or 7, while the jaw is still developing. However, airway issues can and should be assessed at any age, including adulthood. If you notice symptoms or breathing concerns in yourself or your child, addressing them early can make a meaningful difference.