WOW! Smiles!™ isn’t just about helping patients achieve beautiful smiles; our orthodontic treatments go beyond straightening and perfecting. We offer adults, teens, and children airway orthodontics — an approach to improving breathing day and/or night by correcting teeth and jaw alignment, palate width, tongue posture, and airway function. By focusing on the teeth, jaw, mouth, and airways simultaneously, this device provides comprehensive, long-term benefits. The device you receive is customized to your mouth to keep the treatment comfortable, optimize effectiveness, and minimize side effects.
Book an appointment today to see if airway orthodontics can have you breathing a sigh of relief.
What Is Airway Orthodontics?
Airway orthodontics is an orthodontic treatment that corrects the alignment of your jaw and teeth to improve breathing and possibly decrease your reliance on mouth breathing so you breathe through your nose and absorb oxygen more efficiently. It can be used to treat snoring and sleep apnea. In children, it can help with proper jaw growth, prevent sleep apnea, and promote symmetrical facial development.
There isn’t one specific device that works in every case. The exact type of orthodontic device prescribed to you depends on your unique needs and the goals of your treatment. For instance, a palate expander will widen the upper jaw to create additional room for your tongue and open your airways.
Why Choose Airway Orthodontics in California from WOW Smiles
Above all, our team at WOW! Smiles!™ is skilled at what we do. Each member you work with thoroughly understands the structure of the mouth and how it relates to your breathing, and each one will answer any questions you have while guiding you during every step of the process.
Your orthodontist is completely dedicated to you from the start to the end of your treatment. You’re not just another patient when you’re in our care — you’re the focal point while in our dental chair.
All treatment plans are personalized, and we can address the needs of people of all ages. We offer a couple of treatment options to meet your specific concerns and goals. Each device we offer uses durable, lightweight materials to ensure your comfort and that the orthodontic appliance holds up throughout treatment.
Who Is Airway Orthodontics Suitable For?
Children as young as three can receive airway orthodontics to assist with the growth and development of their face, teeth, and jaw. Having the child start treatment before puberty is ideal, as an orthodontist can use the malleability of your kid’s jaw to their advantage and intervene when it’s still developing.
The treatment is also suitable for adults of any age who experience breathing difficulties and sleep disturbances. It can help with sleep apnea and snoring, which can improve your overall quality of life. If you’ve tried other sleep apnea treatments in the past with poor compliance, this treatment can provide an alternative that doesn’t require the use of an uncomfortable mask.
Treatment Duration & What to Expect
The duration of treatment depends on the specifics of the case. That said, both children and adults typically wear their orthodontic device anywhere from six months to a few years. Ongoing maintenance and monitoring may be necessary afterward to prevent the problem from recurring.
Before you or your child receives treatment, an orthodontist will provide a comprehensive evaluation to determine if an orthodontic device could be beneficial, possibly including:
- Imaging
- Impressions
- Review of dental and medical history
- Assessment of jaw alignment and breathing
If airway orthodontics could be useful, an orthodontist from our practice will send the info to a lab for creation. You’ll receive specific instructions before taking the device home.
Airway Orthodontics Cost & Payment Options
Prior to starting treatment, an orthodontist will review the cost of your or your child’s treatment with you. The quote you receive will include all expenses, so you have no surprise expenses. Treatment can cost a little over $1,000 to several thousand dollars, depending on the specifics and complexity of the issue.
Insurance tends to cover treatment as long as it’s for medical purposes, as opposed to aesthetics. However, to cover your financial obligation, especially if you’re uninsured, you may want to look into our financing option. To maximize the number of patients who can receive care with us, we accept payment plans. We even work with you to find a cost-effective option. And the best part? No interest!
WOW! Smiles!™ Has Locations in Santa Rosa, Monterey, Napa, Pittsburg, Salinas, Soledad, Ukiah, Vallejo, and Watsonville.
Our locations are easily accessible to those in Cloverdale, Sonoma, Seaside, Marina, St. Helena, Antioch, Concord, Clayton, King City, Fort Bragg, Richmond, and Santa Cruz.
Call one of our offices today to improve breathing comfortably with an orthodontic treatment.