Airway Orthodontics in Everett, WA
Airway orthodontics is an approach that looks beyond straight teeth to how you and your child breathe. At Advanced Orthodontics Everett, Dr. Lauren Lewandowski uses orthodontic treatment to guide jaw growth, create more room in the mouth, and support healthy breathing and sleep for children and adults.
Orthodontics is about a lot more than a beautiful smile. At Advanced Orthodontics Everett, we believe a healthy smile starts with how you breathe. Airway orthodontics in Everett focuses on the connection between the teeth, the jaws, and the airway, because crowded or crooked teeth can sometimes be an early sign that the jaw is not growing the way it should. Dr. Lauren Lewandowski has made this whole-health approach a focus of her practice, helping families across Everett and Mill Creek address breathing and sleep concerns while they straighten their teeth.
What Is Airway Orthodontics?
Airway orthodontics recognizes that the shape of the jaws and palate has a direct effect on the airway, the path air travels through the nose and throat. When the upper jaw is narrow or the lower jaw is set back, there may be less room for the tongue and less space for air to move freely. This can contribute to mouth breathing, snoring, and restless sleep.
Rather than focusing only on the front teeth, Dr. Lewandowski evaluates how the whole system is developing. By guiding jaw growth in children, or by creating more room in the mouth at any age, airway-focused treatment supports better breathing as a natural part of building a healthy, lasting smile.
Signs of an Airway or Breathing Concern
Many parents are surprised to learn that everyday habits can point to an airway issue. Because the early signs are easy to miss, it helps to know what to look for. Some common signs include:
- Snoring or noisy breathing during sleep
- Breathing through the mouth instead of the nose, day or night
- Restless sleep, frequent waking, or bedwetting in children
- Daytime tiredness, trouble focusing, or irritability
- Crowded or crooked teeth and a narrow palate
- Grinding teeth at night
- In adults, loud snoring, morning headaches, or waking up tired
These signs do not always mean there is a serious problem, but they are worth a closer look. An orthodontic evaluation can help identify whether the structure of the mouth and jaw may be playing a role, and when needed, we coordinate with your physician, dentist, or a sleep specialist for a full picture.
How Airway Orthodontics Helps
The goal of airway-focused care is to create healthy structure that supports easy breathing. Depending on age and needs, treatment may include:
- Guiding jaw growth in children. Treating early, while the bones are still developing, can help the upper and lower jaws grow to their full, balanced size.
- Palatal expansion. A widened upper jaw makes more room for the tongue and the teeth, and because the palate forms the floor of the nasal cavity, expansion can also support nasal breathing.
- Creating space and improving the bite. Relieving crowding and correcting the bite helps the tongue rest in a healthy position.
- A team approach. For sleep and breathing disorders, diagnosis is made by a physician. We work alongside ENTs, pediatricians, and sleep specialists so your care is complete.
It is important to know that an orthodontist does not diagnose or treat sleep apnea on its own. What we do is recognize the structural signs early, address them with orthodontic care, and connect you with the right medical partners when a diagnosis is needed.
Airway Care for Children
The best time to spot an airway concern is while a child is still growing. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic checkup by age 7, and for breathing concerns, even earlier is fine. Early, well-timed treatment can guide healthy development and may reduce the need for more involved care later. You can learn more on our children’s airway orthodontics page, and explore how this fits with early treatment.
Airway Care for Adults
Airway concerns are not only for children. Many adults live for years with snoring, poor sleep, or a narrow bite without realizing the structure of their mouth may be involved. Modern orthodontic techniques allow Dr. Lewandowski to create more room and improve the bite for adults too, often in coordination with your physician or sleep specialist. If you are exploring options like Invisalign or braces as an adult, airway health can be part of the conversation.
Why Choose Advanced Orthodontics Everett for Airway Care
Airway orthodontics takes extra training, a careful eye, and a whole-health mindset, and it is a genuine focus of our practice. Dr. Lauren Lewandowski is a board-certified orthodontist who treats the smile as part of the whole person, not just the teeth. Families across Everett and Mill Creek trust us because we take the time to look deeper, explain what we find in plain language, and build a plan that fits your child or your own goals. Our patients rate us 4.8 stars across 109 Google reviews.
Schedule an Airway Consultation in Everett
If you have noticed snoring, mouth breathing, or restless sleep in your child or yourself, we can help you understand what is going on. Call Advanced Orthodontics Everett at (425) 745-6322 or request your complimentary consultation online. Proudly serving Everett, Mill Creek, Lynnwood, and the surrounding communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
We know you may have questions about orthodontic care and what to expect along the way. This section offers clear, straightforward answers to help you understand how treatment works and how we support you through each step. It’s an easy way to learn more before your first visit and feel confident about your smile journey.
What is the difference between airway orthodontics and regular braces?
Regular orthodontics focuses on aligning the teeth. Airway orthodontics also considers how the jaws and palate affect breathing and sleep, and uses treatment like jaw guidance and palatal expansion to support a healthy airway along the way.
How much does airway orthodontic treatment cost?
Cost depends on the type and length of treatment your child or you needs. We offer flexible financing and accept most insurance, and your complimentary consultation includes a clear estimate before anything begins.
Can airway treatment help with my child's snoring or mouth breathing?
It may. Snoring and mouth breathing can be related to a narrow jaw or crowded mouth, which orthodontic treatment can address. We evaluate the structure and, when a medical diagnosis is needed, coordinate with your pediatrician or a sleep specialist.
At what age should airway concerns be evaluated?
A first checkup by age 7 is ideal, but if you notice snoring, mouth breathing, or restless sleep earlier, it is fine to come in sooner. Catching these signs while a child is growing gives us the most options.