Smile Craft Dental offers airway-focused orthodontic evaluations for children and adults in Redwood City — looking beyond straight teeth to how your jaw and airway affect breathing and sleep.
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If your child snores, breathes through their mouth, or seems tired despite a full night’s sleep, or if you deal with snoring, morning headaches, or restless sleep yourself, the cause may be structural. A narrow palate, a misaligned jaw, or a crowded mouth can physically reduce the airway, making it harder for air to pass freely.
At Smile Craft Dental, our orthodontics team in Redwood City evaluates how your teeth, jaw, and palate may be contributing to breathing challenges, then walks you through what treatment could look like before you commit to anything.
Airway orthodontics treats the structure behind the symptoms — not just the snoring or fatigue, but what's causing it.
Airway concerns look different in children and adults. Here are signs worth an evaluation:
Not sure if these signs point to an airway concern? Our free evaluation includes a digital scan and a clear recommendation — no pressure, no commitment.
Airway orthodontics treats the cause, not just the symptom. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, obstructive sleep apnea affects one to five percent of children and is linked to learning problems, behavioral issues, and cardiovascular complications when left unaddressed. Our patients tell us that finally understanding the structural cause behind their or their child’s sleep issues made all the difference.
No surprises, no pressure. Here's exactly how an airway evaluation works from your first visit onward.
We use advanced 3D imaging to map your teeth — no messy impressions. You'll see a preview of your projected smile before committing to anything.
Your case is reviewed by our on-site orthodontist. You'll receive a timeline, a tray count, and a clear picture of what your treatment will accomplish.
Your custom trays are ordered and arrive quickly. You'll wear each set for about two weeks, switching at home on your own schedule.
We monitor your progress with short office visits — no lengthy appointments. Most patients are in and out in under 30 minutes.
Once treatment is complete, we fit you with a retainer to hold your results long-term. The finish line is clearer than you'd expect.
Airway orthodontic treatment can range from a little over $1,000 for simpler cases to several thousand dollars for more involved treatment, depending on the appliances and complexity of your case. Insurance often covers treatment classified as medical rather than purely cosmetic, and we will help you understand what applies to your plan.
We accept most major PPO insurance plans and offer Cherry financing with flexible monthly payment plans, along with HSA and FSA funds for eligible procedures. Your evaluation includes a full cost breakdown before you commit to anything.
There is no single device that works for every case. We evaluate your anatomy, symptoms, and goals to recommend the right approach.
During your evaluation, we will give you an honest recommendation, including telling you if a different specialist should be part of your care team.
A restricted airway usually comes down to a few structural factors: a narrow or underdeveloped jaw, dental crowding that leaves too little room for the tongue, enlarged tonsils or adenoids, a tongue-tie affecting tongue posture, or in adults, weight changes that affect the airway. Identifying which of these applies to you or your child is what guides the right treatment, which is why a thorough evaluation matters more than treating symptoms alone.
Timing matters more for children, since the jaw is still developing. Here's how the approach differs by age.
| Factor | Children (Around Ages 6–8) | Adults |
|---|---|---|
| Goal | ✓ Guide jaw growth while still developing | Create space within a mature jaw structure |
| Common tools | Palatal expanders, growth-guided orthodontics | MARPE, clear aligners, myofunctional therapy |
| Surgery typically needed | ✓ Rarely | Rarely, MARPE avoids it in most cases |
| Best time to start | ✓ Around age 6 to 8 for the widest range of options | Any age once breathing symptoms appear |
Every airway evaluation at Smile Craft is reviewed by a dentist who coordinates with orthodontic and medical specialists as needed.
Lead Dentist · Smile Craft Dental Redwood City
Dr. Amy leads Smile Craft Dental with a commitment to technology, continuing education, and patient-centered care. She personally reviews every airway evaluation and coordinates with our on-site orthodontist, and with your physician or ENT when needed, so your care plan addresses the full picture, not just your teeth.
4.9 stars across 556 Google reviews. Here's what patients describe about their experience at Smile Craft.
The questions patients ask most before an airway evaluation — answered plainly.
MARPE is a mini-implant-assisted rapid palatal expander that widens a narrow upper jaw in older teens and adults, often without the need for jaw surgery. It is placed in-office and followed by a full orthodontic treatment plan.
Around ages 6 to 8 is often ideal for children, since the jaw is still developing and offers the widest range of treatment options. Adults can benefit from an evaluation at any age once breathing symptoms appear.
No. Airway orthodontics is not limited to one age group. Children and adults alike may benefit from an evaluation, particularly with symptoms like mouth breathing, snoring, daytime fatigue, or crowded teeth.
A restricted airway usually comes down to a narrow or underdeveloped jaw, dental crowding, enlarged tonsils or adenoids, a tongue-tie, or in adults, weight changes. Identifying the specific cause is what guides the right treatment.
When enlarged tonsils, adenoids, or a formal sleep diagnosis is involved, we coordinate directly with your physician, ENT, or sleep specialist so your orthodontic and medical care work together.
Smile Craft Dental is a family dental practice with two Bay Area locations — Redwood City and Sunnyvale — serving patients of all ages. Dr. Amy Nguyen leads a team committed to continued education, advanced technology, and clear communication at every step of care. We accept most PPO insurance plans and offer Cherry financing to help make treatment accessible. If you or your child are ready to find out whether airway orthodontics could help, we make it easy to get started. Contact us to request an evaluation and take the first step toward better breathing and better sleep.
2531 El Camino Real · Redwood City, CA 94061
Serving San Carlos, Belmont, and the Peninsula