Airways & Orthodontics in New York, NY

Support healthy breathing and a perfect smile with specialized airway-focused orthodontics. Schedule your NYC consultation today!

Are you or your child struggling with breathing, snoring, or sleep disturbances? These issues might be related to airway problems that can be addressed through specialized orthodontic treatment. At SmileWorks in New York, our airway-focused orthodontic approach goes beyond traditional teeth straightening to address the underlying causes of breathing problems, sleep disorders, and related health concerns.

Our practice offers comprehensive airways and orthodontic solutions under the expert guidance of Dr. Jin Sup Shin, our board-certified orthodontist. Our practice combines advanced technology with a patient-centered philosophy to provide personalized care for patients of all ages suffering from airway issues. With our state-of-the-art facility and multidisciplinary approach, we’re uniquely positioned to help improve both your smile and your breathing.

Understanding Airways & Orthodontics

Airways and orthodontics represent a modern, holistic approach to orthodontic treatment that focuses on the relationship between jaw position, oral structures, and breathing passages. Traditional orthodontics primarily addresses teeth alignment and bite correction, but airway-centric orthodontics recognizes that proper jaw development and positioning are crucial for optimal breathing and overall health.

Many people don’t realize orthodontic issues and breathing problems are interconnected. Narrow dental arches, improper jaw development, and certain facial structures can contribute to restricted airways, leading to sleep-disordered breathing, mouth breathing habits, and even obstructive sleep apnea. These breathing difficulties can affect quality of life, causing symptoms like daytime fatigue, concentration problems, and poor sleep quality.

Complete Family and Orthodontic Dental Care

Comprehensive dental and orthodontic services for beautiful, healthy smiles at every stage of life.

Signs of Airway Issues That Require Orthodontic Attention

Breathing problems can manifest in various ways, especially in children. Common indicators include chronic mouth breathing, snoring, restless sleep, bedwetting, difficulty concentrating, and behavioral issues. For adults, symptoms often include chronic fatigue, morning headaches, dry mouth upon waking, and diagnosed sleep apnea. At SmileWorks, we conduct thorough airway assessments to identify these issues before creating personalized treatment plans.

Our comprehensive evaluation process includes advanced 3D imaging technology to examine the nasal passages, throat, and jaw structures. This detailed assessment allows our specialists to visualize airway restrictions and determine the most effective orthodontic interventions to improve breathing function.

Airway-Focused Orthodontic Solutions

SmileWorks offers a range of non-invasive orthodontic treatments designed to address airway restrictions and improve breathing. For children, early intervention is particularly effective because their jaws are still developing. Treatments may include palatal expansion to widen the upper jaw, creating more space for proper nasal breathing and tongue positioning.

For adolescents and adults, we provide customized orthodontic appliances that can reposition the jaw and enlarge the airway space. These may include specialized aligners or oral devices that help maintain proper jaw position during sleep. Our board-certified orthodontist, Dr. Jin Sup Shin, combines traditional orthodontic expertise with specialized training in airway management to deliver optimal results.

Improve both smiles and breathing with airways-focused orthodontics – aligning teeth while supporting healthy airway development.

The SmileWorks Approach to Airways & Orthodontics

At SmileWorks, we take a multidisciplinary approach to airway orthodontics. Our team collaborates with sleep specialists, ENT physicians, and myofunctional therapists when necessary to provide comprehensive care. This collaborative model ensures that all aspects of your breathing difficulties are addressed, not just the orthodontic components.

Our treatment philosophy focuses on the least invasive solutions first. Before recommending more intensive interventions, we explore orthodontic approaches that can naturally improve airway function through proper jaw development and positioning. This may include custom orthodontic appliances that help maintain optimal oral resting posture and promote proper breathing patterns.

Enhance your child’s smile and overall health with airways and orthodontics – promoting proper alignment and better breathing.

Advanced Technology for Precise Treatment

SmileWorks utilizes state-of-the-art technology to diagnose and treat airway issues with precision. Our 3D imaging equipment allows for detailed visualization of the airway passages, helping our specialists identify specific areas of restriction. This advanced diagnostic capability enables us to develop highly personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s unique anatomy and needs.

Digital treatment planning also allows us to predict treatment outcomes more accurately and monitor progress effectively. We can show patients visual representations of how orthodontic interventions will improve their airway function, helping them better understand their treatment journey and expected results.

Benefits of Airway-Focused Orthodontics

The benefits of addressing airway issues through orthodontics extend far beyond improved breathing. Patients often experience better sleep quality, increased energy levels, and enhanced cognitive function. Children may show improvements in behavior, academic performance, and overall development. For adults with sleep apnea, airway orthodontics can sometimes provide an alternative or complement to CPAP therapy.

Additionally, treating underlying airway problems while addressing orthodontic concerns produces more stable, long-term results. By improving jaw position and oral function, we help create balanced facial aesthetics while simultaneously enhancing breathing capacity.

Frequently Asked Questions About Airways & Orthodontics at SmileWorks NYC

At what age should children be evaluated for airway-focused orthodontic treatment?

The American Association of Orthodontics recommends children see an orthodontist by age 7, and this is especially important for airway evaluation. Early intervention during childhood allows us to guide jaw growth and expansion when it’s most effective. Our Manhattan family practice specializes in identifying airway issues early and using techniques like palatal expanders to improve breathing and prevent future problems.

How long does airways orthodontic treatment take?

Treatment duration varies but typically takes 18-36 months, depending on the patient’s age and complexity of the case. Early intervention in children often requires less time than adult treatment. Expansion phases may take 6-12 months, followed by alignment with braces or Invisalign. Our Manhattan team uses advanced techniques and technology to optimize treatment efficiency while achieving both beautiful smiles and improved breathing function.

Can adults benefit from airways orthodontics?

Absolutely! While treatment is often more effective during childhood growth periods, adults can still achieve significant improvements in breathing and sleep quality through airways orthodontics. Our Manhattan specialists use techniques like surgically-assisted expansion, Invisalign, and other advanced methods to improve airway function in adult patients. Many Manhattan professionals find that improved breathing leads to better sleep, increased energy, and enhanced quality of life.

Does insurance cover airways orthodontic treatment?

Most orthodontic insurance covers airways orthodontics similarly to traditional orthodontic treatment, typically providing $1,000-$3,000 in lifetime benefits. Some medical insurance plans may also provide coverage when treatment addresses breathing disorders or sleep apnea. At SmileWorks NYC, we work with all major insurance providers and will coordinate benefits between dental and medical insurance to maximize your coverage.

Schedule Your Comprehensive Airway Assessment Today

Don’t let breathing difficulties or sleep disturbances affect your quality of life or your child’s development. SmileWorks offers specialized airways and orthodontic solutions delivered by board-certified specialists in a modern, comfortable environment. Our team understands the complex relationship between orthodontic issues and breathing problems, and we’re committed to providing treatments that address both concerns simultaneously.

Contact SmileWorks today at (646) 722-1177 or through our contact form to schedule your free comprehensive airway assessment. Our practice welcomes patients from throughout New York City seeking expert care in airways and orthodontics. Experience the difference breathing-focused orthodontic treatment can make in your overall health and well-being.

Visit Us

We’re conveniently located in Midtown East, Manhattan. Find us on the 8th floor of the Grand Central Professional Building. Plenty of nearby parking and public transportation options are available.