Orthodontics & Airway Health: Understanding the Connection

In recent years, more parents and patients have started asking not only, “Will orthodontics straighten my teeth?” but also, “Can orthodontic treatment help my child breathe better?” or “Is my narrow jaw affecting my airway?”

At Othman Orthodontics in Lombard and Orland Park, IL, we take an airway-conscious approach—especially for growing children. While orthodontics is not a cure for all breathing or sleep problems, it can play an important role in how the jaws and dental arches develop, which may influence the airway in selected cases.

In this guide, we’ll explain:

• What we mean by “airway” in orthodontics
• Signs of possible airway-related issues in children and adults
• How jaw growth, crowding and bite problems relate to airway size
• Which orthodontic treatments may support better airway development
• Why collaboration with medical providers is essential

What Does “Airway” Mean in Orthodontics?

When we talk about airway in orthodontics, we’re usually referring to the space behind the nose and mouth where air flows during breathing—especially during sleep. This space is influenced by:

• The shape and size of the upper jaw (maxilla)
• The position of the lower jaw (mandible)
• The height and shape of the palate (roof of the mouth)
• Tongue posture and room for the tongue
• Soft tissues like the tonsils, adenoids and soft palate

Orthodontics can’t directly change every structure, but it can influence:

• Jaw width and alignment
• Dental arch form (narrow vs. broad)
• How the teeth and jaws fit together (the bite)

These factors may, in some patients, affect how air moves through the upper airway—especially in growing children.

Airway-Related Signs Parents Might Notice

Children with airway-related concerns may show some of the following signs (not all are specific to airway issues, but they are “red flags” worth evaluating):

• Habitual mouth breathing, especially at rest or during sleep
• Lips often open at rest rather than comfortably closed
• Snoring or noisy breathing at night
• Restless sleep, frequent position changes or sweating at night
• Chronic congestion or “allergy face” appearance
• Daytime sleepiness or difficulty paying attention
• Forward head posture or “chin up” posture when resting

Dentally, you might also notice:

• Crowded teeth, especially in the upper jaw
• A narrow or V-shaped arch instead of a broader U-shape
• Crossbite (upper teeth biting inside lower teeth)
• Open bite (front teeth not touching when back teeth are together)

These dental and skeletal patterns don’t automatically mean an airway disorder is present—but they can be important clues, especially when combined with medical or sleep-related symptoms.

How Jaw Growth and Airway are Related

The face and jaws don’t just hold teeth—they also help shape the space behind the nose and mouth.

Upper Jaw (Maxilla)

A narrow upper jaw can lead to:

• Crowding of upper teeth
• Crossbite (upper teeth biting inside the lower teeth)
• A high, narrow palate that may reduce nasal cavity width in growing children

In children, guided expansion of the upper jaw can:

• Broaden the dental arch
• Improve crossbites
• Create more space for permanent teeth
• Potentially increase nasal cavity volume in some patients

Lower Jaw (Mandible)

A lower jaw that is positioned too far back (retrognathic) relative to the upper jaw can:

• Contribute to an overjet (upper front teeth far ahead of lower front teeth)
• Influence the space available for the tongue
• Alter how the airway space is shared behind the tongue

Orthodontic and orthopedic approaches during growth can sometimes help guide jaw relationships into a more favorable position, which may have positive implications for airway in select cases.

Orthodontic Treatments That May Support Airway Development

Not every orthodontic treatment is “airway-focused,” but certain approaches are particularly relevant when airway is a concern.

1. Palatal Expanders

A palatal expander is a device used in growing children to gently widen the upper jaw over time.

Benefits can include:

• Correcting crossbites
• Creating space for permanent teeth
• Helping align the upper and lower jaws more harmoniously

In certain pediatric patients, expansion may also contribute to improved nasal airflow or reduced mouth breathing, especially if combined with appropriate medical care (for example, ENT evaluation when needed).

2. Early (Interceptive) Orthodontic Treatment

With interceptive orthodontic treatment and orthodontics for children, we can:

• Address significant crowding and jaw discrepancies at a younger age
• Influence jaw growth while a child is still developing
• Improve dental arch form and space for the tongue

Sometimes, a Phase I (early) treatment focused on arch development and jaw guidance is followed by Phase II comprehensive treatment in the teen years to refine the bite and alignment.

3. Comprehensive Braces or Invisalign

For teens and adults, comprehensive orthodontics—using metal braces, clear braces or Invisalign—can:

• Align crowded teeth
• Correct overbites, underbites and crossbites
• Improve how upper and lower jaws fit together

While this type of treatment is often esthetic and functional in focus, for some patients, improving jaw and dental relationships may also support airway-related goals as part of a broader medical plan.

4. Surgical Orthodontics for Adults

In adults with significant jaw discrepancies, surgical orthodontics (orthognathic surgery combined with braces or Invisalign) may be recommended.

When appropriate, jaw surgery can:

• Reposition the upper and/or lower jaws
• Improve facial balance and bite function
• Potentially increase airway space in carefully selected cases

These decisions are made in close collaboration with an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and, when airway is a concern, often with sleep physicians as well.

Airway, Mouth Breathing & Facial Growth

Chronic mouth breathing in a growing child may be associated with changes in facial growth pattern, such as:

• Longer lower facial height (“long face” appearance)
• Narrow, high palate
• Crowded teeth and narrow arches

Addressing the underlying cause of mouth breathing is crucial. That might involve:

• Allergy management with a pediatrician or allergist
• Evaluation of tonsils and adenoids by an ENT specialist
• Myofunctional therapy (tongue and lip posture training) in some cases

Orthodontics then supports healthier growth patterns by:

• Creating space for teeth and tongue
• Improving jaw relationships
• Guiding developing jaws toward better balance

Why a Team Approach Matters

Airway-related concerns are complex. Orthodontists are an important part of the team, but not the only one. An airway-focused approach may involve:

• Pediatricians or primary care physicians
• Ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists
• Sleep medicine doctors and sleep labs (for evaluating sleep apnea)
• General or pediatric dentists
• Myofunctional therapists, allergists or other specialists as needed

At Othman Orthodontics, we:

• Screen for signs of possible airway and breathing issues during orthodontic evaluations
• Discuss our findings with you clearly and honestly
• Refer to or collaborate with medical providers when the picture is more complex than teeth alone

Is Airway-Focused Orthodontic Evaluation Right for You or Your Child?

You might benefit from an airway-conscious orthodontic evaluation if:

• Your child has chronic mouth breathing, snoring or difficulty breathing through the nose
• You’ve been told your child has a narrow palate, crowding or crossbite
• You notice changes in facial growth or posture associated with breathing patterns
• You’re an adult with significant bite issues and possible sleep-related symptoms and want to explore your options

Airway-Aware Orthodontics in Lombard & Orland Park, IL

Lombard Office

Our Lombard office provides airway-conscious orthodontic evaluations and treatment—including expanders, interceptive treatment, braces and 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 services for patients in Orland Park, Tinley Park, Palos Heights, Palos Park, Homer Glen, Oak Forest, Mokena, Frankfort, New Lenox, Lockport.

Ready to Explore the Connection Between Orthodontics and Airway Health?

If you’re concerned about your child’s breathing, facial growth or crowded teeth—or if you’re an adult with both bite issues and possible airway concerns—an airway-conscious orthodontic evaluation is a smart step.

Schedule an orthodontic consultation in Lombard, IL or an orthodontic consultation in Orland Park, IL with Othman Orthodontics.

We’ll carefully evaluate your teeth, jaws and facial growth, look for signs that may relate to airway function, and work with you—and your medical providers when needed—to develop a plan that supports both a healthier bite and a healthier way of breathing.