Struggles with mouth breathing, restless sleep, snoring, or fatigue are often signs of an underlying airway issue. At Santucci Orthodontics, we specialize in airway orthodontics, using an approach that looks beyond straight teeth to identify and address the root causes of breathing dysfunction. With a detailed evaluation of jaw development and nasal airflow, we create a treatment plan that supports better breathing, deeper sleep, and improved overall health.
Airway problems often go unnoticed because their symptoms can be mistaken for other health or behavioral concerns. If you experience any of the following, it may be a sign that your airway isn’t functioning as it should:
When your airway is clear and functioning properly, everything feels easier. You sleep more deeply, wake up refreshed, and breathe with less effort. Airway treatment isn’t just about comfort. It’s about restoring your body’s ability to function at its best.
Benefits of addressing airway issues include:
Every airway journey starts with a comprehensive evaluation. We begin by listening to your concerns and reviewing any symptoms you’ve noticed. Then we perform a detailed assessment that may include digital imaging, 3D scans, and an exam of your jaw, tongue posture, and nasal passages. Our goal is to understand how your airway is functioning and where there may be restrictions or imbalances.
If we identify signs of airway dysfunction, we create a personalized treatment plan. This might include orthodontic appliances, expansion techniques, myofunctional therapy, or collaboration with other healthcare providers. In some cases, we use MARPE (Mini-Implant Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion) to gently widen the upper jaw and improve airflow through the nasal passages. This airway-focused orthodontic approach helps uncover signs of sleep-disordered breathing, nasal resistance, and improper tongue posture – all of which impact long-term health.
