Airway orthodontics for kids and teens in Santa Rosa
- Expert care from Sonoma County's most experienced kids orthodontist
What is airway orthodontics for children?
Airway orthodontics focuses on the connection between a child’s jaw alignment, breathing, and general well-being.
Unlike regular orthodontics that focuses on straightening teeth, airway orthodontics targets the underlying airway issues that can affect a child’s oxygen intake, sleep quality, and even cognitive development.
Addressing airway-related breathing problems in children and teens supports their healthy development and can enhance their overall quality of life.
How do I know if my child needs an airway assessment?
Here are some common indicators of airway issues:
- Snoring or gasping/choking sounds during sleep, tossing and turning, frequent nightmares
- Difficulty swallowing
- Chronic mouth breathing and/or restricted nasal breathing
- Allergies or recurrent colds, sinus infections, or ear infections
- Delayed or abnormal facial development, such as a recessed chin or elongated face
- Hyperactivity, difficulty concentrating, or daytime fatigue and irritability
What causes airway issues in kids and how can Dr. Lynskey help?
Young people can face breathing issues from jaw misalignment, a narrow palate, or other anatomical factors. These can result in a poorly developed airway which collapses during rest or sleep, limiting oxygen and impacting growth and development.
Using advanced imaging technology, Dr. Lynskey can closely examine your child’s airway structures and tongue placement to identify issues that may benefit from orthodontic treatment.
Common interventions include widening the upper jaw with expanders, adjusting jaw alignment with surgery, or improving tongue posture through physical training. These techniques can expand a child’s growing jaw and palate to create more space in the nasal and oral cavities, thereby promoting increased airflow and healthier breathing patterns.
Learn more about how palatal expanders can open the airway
Learn more about the role of surgery in airway orthodontics
Early intervention airway orthodontic treatment can prevent health problems later in life
For parents, understanding this specialized approach means recognizing that early intervention can prevent serious health problems such as obstructive sleep apnea and behavioral or growth concerns.
By guiding a child’s proper jaw and airway development, airway orthodontics offers a holistic solution that promotes better breathing patterns, restful sleep, and long-term benefits beyond just dental alignment
Learn more about our Early Orthodontic program, or use the link below to book your free consultation with Dr. Lynskey.
Dr. Lynskey instantly made my 8 year old daughter comfortable with a huge smile and explanations directly to her about what was happening. On the way home, my daughter asked when we could go back. I call that a resounding success, since she’s disliked dentists her whole life.
— Lauren S.
Santa Rosa, CA
Meet Dr. Lynskey
Victoria Lynskey, DMD, MDS
Orthodontist Santa Rosa
Originally from New Zealand, Dr. Lynskey joined the American Association of Orthodontists in 1999. She is both a Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry and a Master of Dental Surgery, in addition to being a Professor of Orthodontics at UC San Francisco.
She opened Lynskey Orthodontics in Santa Rosa in 2003, using state-of-the-art technology to create stunning, healthy smiles.
Dr. Lynskey Orthodontics by the numbers
Orthodontist in Santa Rosa
Professor of orthodontics at UCSF
Smiles revealed with braces
Smiles revealed with Invisalign
Combined team experience
— Yen P.
Santa Rosa, CA
Airway orthodontic treatment made easy for kids (and parents)
Serving families across Sonoma County, including Santa Rosa, Windsor, and Rohnert Park for over 25 years
Your child's in expert hands every step of the way.
Dr. Lynskey has been an orthodontist for children since 1999, and her Smile Squad are all Registered Dental Assistants with over 60 years of combined expertise.
Customized treatment delivers better outcomes.
Your child will experience the latest airway orthodontic technology in a kid-friendly environment from a caring team experienced with children and teens.
Your time matters to us.
Your child's orthodontic care should be as convenient as possible, so we offer flexible scheduling around school or activities, digital check-ins for minimal wait times, and text reminders so you never miss an appointment.
You're joining a community.
Alongside technical skill, we’re a group of enthusiastic, fun-loving professionals passionate about making your child's experience enjoyable and stress-free.
You're treated like family.
As your kid's orthodontist, we provide you and your child a warm, friendly environment where young patients feel supported and parents feel informed.
Airway orthodontics for kids: financing and insurance
Nothing should stand in the way of orthodontic care for your child. You have several financing options at Lynskey Orthodontics:
- We are in-network with PPO plans, including Delta Dental.
- We file your insurance claims and accept assignment of benefits (AOB), which can reduce your monthly payments.
- You can access our in-office 0% financing plans with monthly payments as low as $200.
- We can also put you in contact with our trusted third-party financing partner.
— Grace F.
Sonoma, CA
Airway orthodontics for kids and teens in Santa Rosa – It's easy!
Here’s how it works:
Book your child's free initial assessment.
Learn the treatment options and get answers to your questions with zero pressure.
Get your customized treatment plan.
Dr. Lynskey and her team will customize your child's airway treatment to their specific needs.
Watch your child's smile emerge.
See your child's healthy, confident smile develop with clear explanations and fun visits.
What to expect at Lynskey Orthodontics
At Dr. Lynskey's, you'll find a warm, welcoming space in Santa Rosa. Whether you're coming from Santa Rosa High School or heading to Coddingtown Center, Montgomery Village, or Santa Rosa Plaza, our office on Montgomery Drive is an easy fit for your family routine.
— Scantor S.
Santa Rosa, CA
Frequently asked questions
When should my child be evaluated for airway-focused orthodontics?
How do I know if my child has an airway issue?
Can early airway orthodontics for kids help with mouth breathing?
Can an underdeveloped or obstructed airway affect a child's behavior?
What are the potential long-term consequences if airway issues in children are left untreated?
If airway problems are not properly addressed, a child may experience persistent sleep disturbances like sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). SDB is an umbrella term for poor-quality breathing during sleep, typically causing snoring and tossing and turning. OSA – sleep apnea – is a more dangerous blockage of the airway during sleep, usually followed by gasping and brief waking. OSA is often cyclical, preventing restful sleep throughout the night.
Both of these conditions reduce oxygen intake during rest and oxygen levels in the brain. This can result in delays to a child’s cognitive and developmental milestones. Over time, there is risk of serious health complications including stunted physical development and chronic cardiovascular problems. These effects underscore the importance of early diagnosis and intervention to support a child’s healthy breathing, healthy development, and overall well-being.
Do you offer financing options for airway orthodontics for kids and teens in Santa Rosa?
Yes, we offer our Santa Rosa and Sonoma County communities flexible monthly payment plans, 0% interest financing, and extended payment options. At Lynskey Orthodontics, we strongly believe nothing should stand in the way of health care for you or your family.
Many insurance plans cover airway orthodontics for kids and teens, and our team will assist by verifying your benefits, submitting the claims, and accepting assignment of benefits to help reduce your overall out-of-pocket expenses.
Airway orthodontic care is also an eligible medical expense for HSA or FSA plans, and many families use these funds toward treatment costs.
You can learn more on our Insurance and Financing page, or schedule a complimentary consultation and we’ll be happy to answer any questions.
Does my child need a referral to see Dr. Lynksey about airway orthodontics in Santa Rosa?
No referral is needed – you can schedule a complimentary consultation directly with our Santa Rosa office.
Conveniently located at
- Just minutes from Rohnert Park, CA and Windsor, CA