Airway Orthodontics in Santa Rosa
- Better breathing, better sleep, and better health for children and adults in Sonoma County
What is airway orthodontics?
Airway orthodontics is a specialized branch of orthodontic care that focuses on the connection between teeth and jaw alignment, facial development, breathing, sleep, and general well-being.
The airway orthodontic approach involves expanding the jaw and palate to create more space in the nasal and oral cavities and promote better breathing. Addressing airway-related concerns, particularly in children and teens, supports healthy development and enhances overall quality of life.
How can airway orthodontics help children and adults?
- Mouth breathing
- Difficulty swallowing
- Speech articulation problems
- Chronic snoring (sleep disordered breathing or SDB)
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
- Improper jaw development
- Behavioral concerns in children such as hyperactivity or poor focus
What does airway orthodontics involve?
Airway orthodontics includes evaluating and treating conditions that affect breathing. Factors such as narrow jaws and jaw alignment, tongue position, and the size of oral and nasal passages can all impact airway volume and breathing efficiency.
Common interventions include palatal expanders to widen the upper jaw, surgery to remove obstructive tissue and align the jaw, or myofunctional therapy to improve tongue posture and breathing patterns.
Learn more about palatal expanders
Learn more about jaw surgery
The role of airway health in early orthodontics
Some children face breathing difficulties caused by jaw positioning, a small palate, or other anatomical factors. These issues can result in mouth breathing, snoring, restless sleep, and even behavioral challenges such as hyperactivity or difficulty concentrating, often linked to insufficient oxygen during sleep.
By intervening early, we can encourage the expansion and proper development of your child’s upper jaw, which helps open the airway, facilitating better nasal breathing and more restful sleep.
Your expert for airway orthodontics in Santa Rosa
At Lynskey Orthodontics, airway health is an integral part of our diagnostic and treatment planning process. Using advanced imaging technology, we can closely examine the airway and tongue to identify structural issues that can benefit from airway orthodontic treatment.
Whether it involves expanding the palate, realigning the jaws, or guiding jaw growth in young patients, we are dedicated to helping you achieve the benefits of optimal breathing alongside a healthy, beautiful smile.
Our airway orthodontics approach reflects our commitment to improving not only your smile but your overall health and well-being.
Benefits of our airway orthodontic treatment for Santa Rosa kids and adults
Serving Sonoma County, including Santa Rosa, Windsor, and Rohnert Park, for over 25 years
Improved breathing
Enhancing the airway structure allows for easier oxygen intake, which is vital for overall health and comfort.
Better sleep
A clear airway supports restful sleep by reducing sleep-related breathing disorders such as snoring and sleep apnea, which can cause daytime tiredness and long-term health problems.
Lifelong dental health
Proper jaw alignment and tongue posture reduce the risk of dental problems and create a stable foundation for other orthodontic treatments.
Better quality of life
Improved breathing often leads to higher energy levels, better mood, ability to focus, improved speech clarity, and enhanced athletic performance.
Healthy growth
In children and adolescents, proper airway function supports natural facial development, better posture, and natural nasal breathing, all of which contribute to lifelong health.
My first consultation was a breeze and Dr. Lynskey is amazing. They helped me so much. Highly recommended!
— Abe A.
Santa Rosa, CA
Airway orthodontics for Santa Rosa children and adults
Airway orthodontics for kids and teens
Optimize the development of your child's vital breathing structures and oxygen intake to address mouth breathing, snoring, poor sleep, and behavioral issues like hyperactivity.
Airway orthodontics for adults
Personalized orthodontic treatments for mature patients that enhance airway function, promoting better health, comfort, and long-term orthodontic stability.
— Roslyn S.
Santa Rosa, CA
Come for a free consultation at our Santa Rosa offices and discover how airway orthodontics can help you or your child.
Here’s how it works:
Book a free consultation with Dr. Lynskey.
If airway orthodontics is the best approach, we'll take digital scans of your or your child's jaws and teeth – no biting into a messy putty mold!
Get your customized airway orthodontic plan.
Dr. Lynskey will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan tailored to improve your or your child's airway health and orthodontic outcomes.
Feel informed and supported every step of the way.
You'll be supported with continuous monitoring, adjustments, and updates to ensure your long-term airway health and orthodontic success.
Frequently asked questions
How is airway orthodontics different from regular braces or Invisalign?
Airway orthodontics differs from regular orthodontics by prioritizing airway function alongside teeth alignment. While braces and Invisalign mainly focus on straightening teeth and correcting crowded teeth and bite issues for aesthetics and function, airway treatments address underlying jaw deformities and breathing obstructions that can affect oxygen intake, mental acuity, sleep quality, and overall health.
Essentially, airway orthodontics combines regular dental alignment with a holistic focus on respiratory health.
Can airway orthodontics help my child?
Is airway orthodontics used on adults?
How is airway orthodontics for adults different from airway orthodontics for children?
Airway orthodontics for adults differs from that for children primarily due to developmental and anatomical factors. In children, whose facial bones are still growing and more malleable, airway orthodontics focuses on guiding jaw development and expanding the palate early to prevent or reduce airway obstruction. This early intervention can promote better long-term airway health and facial development.
In contrast, adult airway orthodontic treatments happen after facial growth is complete and bones are less flexible. Our adult airway patients often require more advanced techniques, such as jaw surgery, to expand the airway and correct alignment. So while airway orthodontics for children is primarily a preventative approach, for adults the focus is on correction and management of existing airway conditions, like sleep apnea, that require integrated care beyond orthodontics alone.
What is a palatal expander and can it help with my child's breathing?
A palate expander is a small appliance placed across the roof of the mouth between the upper molars. It gradually widens the upper jaw by exerting gentle outward pressure. This fixes problems associated with a too-narrow upper jaw, such as a restricted airway or tooth crowding and alignment issues. For many children, a palatal expander widens nasal passages, often improving nasal airflow. Not every child will need an expander, so we evaluate on a case-by-case basis.
Do palatal expanders work for adults?
Yes, although the process is slower and more complex than for children, because adult jawbones have already fused. While children can use rapid palatal expanders (RPEs), adult treatment usually takes longer and sometimes requires surgical intervention to improve breathing or fix overcrowding and bite issues.
Click here to learn more about palatal expanders or here to learn more about orthodontic jaw surgery.
What is the role of jaw surgery in airway orthodontic treatment?
Jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery) is used when orthodontics alone cannot correct complex jaw and airway problems. Jaw surgery can establish a well-aligned skeletal foundation for airway-focused orthodontics, such as Invisalign, braces, and expanders.
At Lynskey Orthodontics, we collaborate closely with the best Sonoma County oral and maxillofacial (OMF) surgeons for our adult airway patients or any patient needing significant jaw structure adjustments.
What is myofunctional therapy?
Can airway orthodontics help with sleep disordered breathing and sleep apnea?
Yes, airway orthodontics can play a role in treating sleep disordered breathing (SDB) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) by widening the upper jaw and expanding the nasal floor, which increases airflow during sleep.
However, airway orthodontics is not a standalone treatment for sleep apnea. Diagnosis and management of sleep apnea require medical professionals, and orthodontic care can complement these efforts by improving airway structure when the cause of obstruction is related to jaw and dental alignment.
Does Lynksey Orthodontics offer financing options for airway orthodontics in Santa Rosa?
At Lynskey Orthodontics, we strongly believe nothing should stand in the way of health care for you or your family. We offer our Santa Rosa and Sonoma County communities flexible monthly payment plans, 0% interest financing, and extended payment options.
Many insurance plans cover airway orthodontics, 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.
We’re happy to help you choose a financing option that fits your budget. Call 707-525-1180 or click here to speak with our team.
You can also learn more on our Insurance and Financing page, or schedule a complimentary consultation and we’ll be happy to answer any questions.
Do I need a referral to see Dr. Lynskey 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