Airway-Focused Orthodontic Evaluation in Lombard & Orland Park, IL

Does your child:

• Sleep with their mouth open or snore most nights?
• Seem tired during the day, even after a full night’s sleep?
• Have crowded teeth, a narrow upper jaw or a crossbite?

These signs can sometimes be connected to how the jaws and dental arches are developing—and how air flows through the upper airway, especially during sleep.

At Othman Orthodontics in Lombard and Orland Park, IL, we offer airway-focused orthodontic evaluations designed for families who want to understand the relationship between:

• Breathing patterns (mouth vs. nose)
• Jaw growth and facial development
• Crowding, crossbites and bite problems

Our goal is to look beyond just “straight teeth” and support healthier growth whenever possible.

What Is an Airway-Focused Orthodontic Evaluation?

A typical orthodontic exam focuses on teeth alignment and bite. An airway-focused evaluation includes that—and goes a step further.

During your visit, we will:

• Review your child’s medical and sleep history (snoring, mouth breathing, allergies, etc.)
• Examine the teeth, jaws and bite in detail
• Evaluate jaw width, palate shape and facial growth patterns
• Look for signs that may be associated with airway challenges

We’ll explain what we see in clear, parent-friendly language and discuss whether orthodontic treatment may help support more favorable jaw and arch development.

Who Should Consider an Airway-Focused Evaluation?

An airway-conscious orthodontic consultation is especially appropriate if:

For Children

• Your child is a chronic mouth breather (awake or asleep)
• They snore regularly or have noisy breathing at night
• They seem restless during sleep, toss and turn, or sweat at night
• They have crowded teeth, crossbites or a narrow upper jaw
• Your pediatrician or ENT has raised concerns about tonsils/adenoids or facial growth

For Teens & Adults

• You have significant bite problems and suspect airway issues
• You snore or feel unrefreshed after sleep
• You’re exploring whether orthodontic treatment could be part of a larger solution involving a sleep physician or ENT

An evaluation does not always lead to immediate treatment—but it does provide a clearer picture of how the jaws, teeth and airway may interact.

What We Look For During an Airway-Focused Exam

1. Breathing and Sleep History

We’ll ask about:

• Snoring, pauses in breathing, restless sleep
• Daytime tiredness, difficulty focusing, or hyperactivity
• Allergies, nasal congestion or chronic mouth breathing

2. Jaw and Facial Development

We examine:

• Upper jaw width (narrow vs. broad)
• Palate shape (high and narrow vs. lower and wider)
• Lower jaw position relative to the upper jaw
• Facial growth patterns (for example, longer face appearance in some mouth-breathing patterns)

3. Dental Alignment and Bite

We also evaluate:

• Crowding or spacing
• Crossbites, overbites, underbites and open bites
• Resting lip posture and ease of nose breathing

When appropriate, we may recommend X-rays or digital scans to better understand jaw positions and plan orthodontic treatment.

How Orthodontic Treatment Can Support Airway & Growth

Orthodontics does not replace medical care, but in many growing patients it can help address structural factors that may contribute to airway concerns.

Palatal Expansion

A palatal expander gently widens the upper jaw in a growing child. It can:

• Correct crossbites
• Broaden the dental arch
• Create space for permanent teeth

In certain children, widening the upper jaw may also support better nasal airflow when combined with appropriate medical care.

Early Interceptive Treatment

Interceptive orthodontic treatment (Phase I) can:

• Guide jaw growth in a more favorable direction
• Address significant crowding early
• Support more balanced facial and dental development

Comprehensive Orthodontics for Teens & Adults

For older patients, braces or Invisalign can:

• Correct crowding and misalignment
• Improve the bite and jaw relationships
• Sometimes be coordinated with surgical or sleep-related treatments in more complex cases

We will always explain what orthodontics can and cannot do in your specific situation.

Working as a Team with Your Child’s Doctors

Airway health is a team effort. We often collaborate with:

• Pediatricians
• ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat) specialists
• Allergists
• Sleep medicine physicians
• General and pediatric dentists

If we see signs that suggest medical evaluation is needed, we’ll share our findings and, with your permission, communicate with your child’s healthcare providers to support coordinated care.

Airway-Focused Orthodontic Care in Lombard & Orland Park, IL

Lombard Office

Our Lombard office provides airway-conscious orthodontic evaluations, expanders, interceptive care, and comprehensive braces/Invisalign for families in:

Lombard, Downers Grove, Elmhurst, Wheaton, Villa Park, Oak Brook, Oakbrook Terrace, Hinsdale, Westmont, Lisle, Naperville.

Orland Park Office

Our Orland Park office offers the same airway-focused orthodontic services for families in:

Orland Park, Tinley Park, Palos Heights, Palos Park, Homer Glen, Oak Forest, Mokena, Frankfort, New Lenox, Lockport.

Schedule an Airway-Focused Orthodontic Evaluation

If your child is always mouth breathing, snores regularly, or has crowded, narrow jaws, it’s reasonable to ask whether their airway and jaw development are connected.

Take the next step:

• Schedule an airway-focused orthodontic consultation in Lombard, IL
• Schedule an airway-focused orthodontic consultation in Orland Park, IL

At Othman Orthodontics, we’ll carefully evaluate your child’s teeth, jaws and facial growth, listen to your concerns, and, when appropriate, coordinate with your pediatrician or ENT. Together, we can support not just a straighter smile—but a healthier way to grow, breathe and sleep.