Airway Orthodontics has emerged in the profession with a number of people claiming to be “Airway Orthodontists” on their websites and/or various social media platforms. People are looking for an “Airway Orthodontist near me”. What does it mean? Does it mean that the orthodontist recognizes the connection of enlarged tonsils and adenoids to airway? If they refer such a patient for an evaluation of tonsils and adenoids for possible removal, are they an Airway Orthodontist? I think it means a WHOLE lot more than that.  

Honestly, I don’t know of a definition of an Airway Orthodontist, but I’ll offer what it means to me.   

To me Airway Orthodontics encompasses infinitely more than merely recognizing a problem. It means that the orthodontist not only recognizing airway problems but realizes why the airway problems are occurring and are taking active steps to incorporate treatments to address these issues in patients of all ages. It means they recognize that poor rest oral posture affects facial growth – with less forward facial growth occurring. They understand and discuss how lack of forward facial growth decreases the airway space behind the tongue and soft palate. An Airway Orthodontist talks about poor rest oral posture and not about a “malocclusion”.   Malocclusion is an entirely tooth oriented term and not something to pursue. An Airway Orthodontist should recognize that the first thing to occur in EVERY malocclusion is that the upper front teeth fall back from their proper position because of poor rest oral posture. The lower jaw can respond in various ways but will almost always fall back along with the upper (even in Class III cases where orthodontists are taught that the mandible grows too much). As both jaws fall back, so does the soft palate and the tongue which can dramatically reduce the airway. A discussion of how to stop this falling back and potentially reverse it should occur if this is an Airway Orthodontist.

An Airway Orthodontist will take a very thorough medical history wanting information perhaps about prenatal history, but certainly about early birth history. He/she will want to know a lot about sleep/breathing issues, behavioral issues such as ADHD, restless sleep, snoring, sleep walking, bedwetting, fidgety behavior, etc, In short, you might think that you are in a medical office rather than a dental office when you have a well informed Airway Orthodontist.

Suggestions for a sleep study might be made as a result of the exam and medical history. Referrals to myofunctional therapists might occur to have a child learn to be a nasal breather rather than a mouth breather.   Suggestions about starting treatment as soon as the problem is recognized will likely be made. If the orthodontist says to return when all the permanent teeth have erupted you are most certainly not in an Airway Orthodontic office. If your child’s teeth are coming in crowded and the orthodontist suggests removing primary teeth you are definitely not in an Airway Orthodontic office. 

If you suspect that your child has an airway problem you will almost always be correct and need to find an Airway Orthodontist to address the airway for a healthier child.