Smile Craft Dental offers airway-focused orthodontic evaluations for children and adults in Sunnyvale — 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 Sunnyvale 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 used and the complexity of your case. Insurance often covers treatment classified as medical rather than purely cosmetic. We accept most major PPO insurance plans and offer flexible payment options, along with HSA and FSA funds for eligible procedures.
There is no single device that works for every case. We evaluate your anatomy, symptoms, and goals to recommend the right approach.
Palatal Expanders — Widen the upper arch over time, increasing nasal airway volume. Most effective in children and younger teens while the palate is still adaptable.
MARPE — A mini-implant-assisted rapid palatal expander that can widen a narrow upper jaw in older teens and adults, often without surgery.
Clear Aligners — Gradually shift teeth and expand arch width to create more room within the mouth, which can improve airflow.
SureSmile — A technology-driven system using digital planning for precise coordination of arch development and tooth positioning.
Myofunctional Therapy — Exercises that retrain tongue and lip posture to support nasal breathing alongside orthodontic treatment.
Referral Coordination — When enlarged tonsils, adenoids, or a formal sleep diagnosis are involved, we coordinate with your physician or ENT.
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 Sunnyvale
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.
Read what patients say about their experience with airway-focused care at Smile Craft Dental.
The questions patients ask most before an airway evaluation — answered plainly.
Airway orthodontics prioritizes maintaining or improving airway space throughout treatment, rather than focusing solely on an ideal bite or aesthetic outcome. This approach emphasizes expansion and forward development to create adequate space for both proper tooth alignment and unobstructed breathing.
Yes. By expanding the upper jaw, positioning the lower jaw forward, and creating more space for the tongue and soft tissues, treatment can improve airflow and reduce sleep apnea symptoms.
Palatal expansion gently widens the upper jaw to create more space for the nasal passages and tongue, reducing nasal resistance and improving oxygen intake.
Earlier treatment during growth phases often yields more dramatic improvements, though adults can also benefit. A comprehensive assessment determines the optimal approach for each individual.
We use cone beam computed tomography for three-dimensional visualization of the upper airway, along with digital imaging, photographs, bite analysis, and 3D imaging technology to assess airway health.
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.
Sunnyvale, CA
Serving Sunnyvale and the surrounding South Bay