If your child snores, breathes through their mouth, or struggles with sleep, it may be more than just a phase — it could be an airway issue. At Van Vliet & Ganz Orthodontics, we offer specialized airway orthodontics in Hudson Valley, NY to identify and address the root causes of breathing and jaw development problems in both children and adults.
Using early intervention and modern orthodontic tools, we help guide natural facial growth, support proper breathing, and reduce the risk of long-term dental and health concerns. With a proven track record and board-certified expertise, we’re proud to offer solutions that go beyond straight teeth — and focus on total health.
Hudson Valley Airway Orthodontist
Our practice has become a trusted referral destination for airway orthodontics throughout the greater Hudson Valley. This form of care looks beyond the smile to understand how jaw structure, tongue position, and facial development affect a person’s ability to breathe and sleep properly.
Whether your child is struggling with mouth breathing or you’re an adult dealing with jaw tension, poor sleep, or relapse from past orthodontic treatment, we’re here to help you breathe easier — and smile confidently.
What Is Airway Orthodontics?
Airway orthodontics is a form of treatment focused on the development of the jaws, face, and dental arches — with the goal of improving the airway and supporting proper breathing. Instead of just aligning teeth, this approach addresses how structural imbalances can contribute to:
- Mouth breathing
- Snoring or sleep-disordered breathing
- Narrow dental arches
- Improper tongue posture
- Jaw misalignment
- TMJ discomfort
By guiding jaw growth early or expanding the arches later in life, airway orthodontics can create more space in the mouth and nasal passages — promoting healthier breathing, especially during sleep.
How Does Airway Orthodontics Work?
The first step in airway orthodontics is a comprehensive evaluation. This includes a detailed review of medical and dental history, facial and jaw structure, sleep behaviors, and digital imaging to assess airway volume and jaw position.
Treatment may include:
- Palatal expanders — To widen the upper jaw and improve nasal airflow
- Growth-guiding appliances — Such as the Herbst appliance to improve jaw alignment
- Functional therapy — Myofunctional exercises to retrain tongue and facial muscles
- Braces or aligners — To align the teeth once jaw development is optimized
- Collaboration with other specialists — Such as ENTs or sleep medicine doctors, when necessary
By addressing the structure of the airway itself, we can help improve not just the smile — but also quality of sleep, behavior, and focus in children, and energy levels and comfort in adults.
Benefits of Airway Orthodontics
Airway-focused care has the potential to change lives — especially when implemented early in a child’s development. Benefits may include:
- Improved nasal breathing
- Better sleep quality
- Reduced snoring or sleep apnea symptoms
- Enhanced focus and behavior in children
- Fewer orthodontic issues later in life
- Improved facial balance and aesthetics
- Relief from jaw pain, tension, or TMJ symptoms in adults
At Van Vliet & Ganz Orthodontics, we believe form and function go hand in hand — and that a beautiful smile should never come at the expense of proper breathing and wellness.
Signs Your Child May Need an Airway Evaluation
Many parents don’t realize that early breathing problems may be linked to orthodontic or developmental issues. Identifying airway-related concerns early gives your child the best opportunity for healthy growth and a lasting smile.
Here are some signs your child may benefit from an airway evaluation:
- Mouth breathing, especially during sleep
- Frequent snoring or noisy breathing
- Restless sleep or night waking
- Daytime fatigue or difficulty focusing
- ADHD-like behavior
- Teeth grinding or clenching
- Speech or swallowing challenges
- Crowded teeth or narrow jaw structure
- History of enlarged tonsils or adenoids
If your child is showing one or more of these signs, we encourage you to schedule a complimentary consultation. Early intervention can help set them up for lifelong wellness.
Airway Orthodontics for Adults
Adults can also benefit greatly from airway-focused orthodontic care — especially if they’ve experienced:
- Orthodontic relapse
- Jaw tension or TMJ dysfunction
- Chronic fatigue or poor-quality sleep
- Past extractions that led to facial narrowing
- Obstructive sleep apnea or snoring
- Mouth breathing or postural issues
Using digital diagnostics and personalized treatment plans, we assess airway dimensions, bite function, and overall facial balance to guide treatment. This may involve braces or aligners, expansion techniques, and collaboration with other health professionals when needed.
Airway orthodontics for adults is about more than appearance — it’s about creating a functional, comfortable bite that supports lifelong health.
Why Choose Van Vliet & Ganz Orthodontics?
Airway orthodontics requires advanced training, experience, and a big-picture approach — all of which you’ll find at Van Vliet & Ganz Orthodontics. With decades of combined experience and a reputation for excellence in the Hudson Valley community, we take pride in treating each patient like family.
Here’s why families and adults choose us for airway-centered care:
- Board-certified orthodontists — Experts in growth, development, and complex cases
- Advanced diagnostics — Digital scans and airway-focused imaging
- Whole-health philosophy — We look beyond teeth to optimize function
- Collaborative care — We coordinate with ENTs, pediatricians, and sleep specialists
- Proven results — Trusted by parents and local healthcare providers alike
From your first visit to the last aligner, we’re committed to creating smiles that look great and support healthy living.
Breathe Better. Smile Brighter.
If you or your child are experiencing signs of airway dysfunction, early evaluation and orthodontic care could make all the difference. At Van Vliet & Ganz Orthodontics, we offer airway orthodontics in Hudson Valley, NY that’s backed by experience, driven by results, and focused on your family’s health.
Book your complimentary consultation today — and take the first step toward better breathing and a healthier smile.