Airway Orthodontic Treatments for Kids in Gilbert

When we talk about airway health, a common question parents ask is, “How do I know if my child
might have an airway issue?”
The first step is simple, start by asking the right questions. Sometimes it’s as easy as going
through a quick questionnaire that highlights the most common signs we see in kids with airway
concerns.
At Avelle Orthodontics, there are a few key indicators we want parents to be aware of.
Things like consistent snoring or labored breathing during sleep—just to be clear, snoring in
children is not normal. Mouth breathing is another important sign. You might also notice teeth
grinding at night, asthma, dark circles under the eyes, or even bedwetting.
Some children may show signs like difficulty focusing, hyperactivity, or night terrors.
The important thing to understand is that airway issues can show up in many different ways, and
they’re not always obvious.
That’s why the first step is simply asking—“Could this be affecting my child?”
If you notice any of these signs, or if something doesn’t feel quite right, our team at Avelle
Orthodontics is here to help guide you through the next steps. One of the most informative and
simplest steps to do is to fill out the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire and then see how your child
scores on that assessment.

One of the most unexpected—and truly rewarding—parts of what we do at Avelle Orthodontics is
hearing from parents during treatment, about the quality of life changes they see in their child
Sometimes, parents will say things like, “I feel like I should have known sooner.” But as we talk
more, what they really share is this sense of surprise—how much better their child is doing.
They’ll tell us, “I didn’t realize my child could sleep this well,” or “They’re finally sleeping through
the night.” There’s no more tossing and turning, no more restless sleep. Sometimes they mention
that their child is doing much better in school, or that their child is finally getting back to normal on
their growth chart.
And often, it impacts the whole family. Parents are sleeping better too, especially if their child
used to wake up frequently or sleep in their room.
There’s this moment where it all clicks—and they wonder why they hadn’t heard about this
before. Because most people don’t immediately think of going to an orthodontist for sleep or
breathing concerns.
Of course, we love seeing improved smiles and healthier bites—but what’s even more meaningful
is the impact on how a child feels every day. Orthodontics is not just about straight teeth, it is
about much more! It is about getting the structures of the jaw and soft tissue in the correct
relationship with each other and the face so that we have a healthier child and a stable result!
Sleeping better, breathing better, having a beautiful smile and truly thriving.
That’s what makes this so rewarding for us, where we are truly impacting on how people live their
lives!

When a child’s airway is compromised during growth, it can affect their overall development in
ways that may be very difficult to correct later on.
What’s even more concerning is that many parents—and even children—may never realize there
was an airway issue to begin with.
When a child isn’t breathing properly or getting adequate oxygen, it can impact how they grow,
how they sleep, and how they function day to day. In some cases, children may simply not thrive
the way they should, because they are not breathing the way they were meant to.
At Avelle Orthodontics, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full
potential—with optimal health, proper growth, and quality sleep.
That’s why we want to give you, as a parent, peace of mind.
We’ve created a simple airway questionnaire as a screening tool to help identify whether your
child may be experiencing an airway issue—and how it could be affecting them.
We’ve included a link below, and it only takes a few minutes to complete.
If you have any concerns after taking it, our team at Avelle Orthodontics is here to help guide you
every step of the way.

The factors that lead to airway insufficiency in children typically fall into two categories: genetic
and environmental.
Genetically, your child may have enlarged tonsils or adenoids—you may have experienced the
same thing growing up. But while yours may have naturally reduced over time, theirs may not.
On the environmental side, factors like allergies, asthma, or habits such as thumb sucking can
play a role. Some children develop patterns like mouth breathing or improper tongue posture,
which can influence how they grow, how they chew, and even how they eat.
The key is understanding that it’s usually not just one cause—it’s a combination of factors.
At Avelle Orthodontics, we take a comprehensive approach. Through a detailed questionnaire
and medical history, we’re able to identify these contributing factors and better understand how
they may be affecting your child.
From there, we can make an accurate diagnosis and guide you toward the most appropriate
treatment.

The value of an early orthodontic evaluation—around ages 4, 5, or 6—is really about timing and
opportunity.
Whether you’ve noticed a concern or simply want peace of mind, seeing a child early allows us to
identify issues while they’re still growing—and that makes a big difference.
There are certain things we can guide and correct at a young age that become much more
difficult, to address later on. For example, once the upper jaw has finished growing, our ability to
expand or reshape is still available, but the procedures become more complex.
But when we see children during their active growth years—typically between ages 4 and 7—we
have a unique window where we can intervene early and create long-lasting, more ideal
outcomes.
Another example is teeth grinding. It can be very hard for parents to notice because it happens
gradually—almost like watching your child grow. You don’t always see it happening day to day,
but over time, the effects can add up.
If grinding is related to an airway issue and we catch it early—before or just as the permanent
teeth are coming in—we can help protect their teeth and prevent long-term damage.
That means avoiding more extensive treatments later on, like crowns, fillings, or veneers to repair
wear that happened during childhood.
At Avelle Orthodontics, our goal is to be proactive, not reactive.

At Avelle Orthodontics, we’ve been using rapid maxillary expansion for many years in young
children, typically between ages 5 and 12—and occasionally even in 3- and 4-year-olds when we
see they could benefit.
This treatment was originally developed to correct deficient jaw structures, helping children
achieve a full set of teeth, broader smiles, fuller lips, and more aesthetic facial profiles. It can
even contribute to healthier soft tissue development and fewer facial wrinkles as they grow.
While we were always aware of airway health, we didn’t have precise ways to measure it—until
now.
Current research shows that rapid maxillary expansion not only supports proper jaw growth, but
also improves nasal airway ventilation, enlarges the pharyngeal airway, and encourages better
tongue posture. We see these improvements every day—and now we can measure them.
Orthodontic expansion is one of the primary ways we address airway issues, especially when the
size of the jaws is limiting a child’s ability to breathe properly. Using 3D imaging, we can trace the
airway, identify any constrictions, and develop a targeted treatment plan.
Another way we support airway health is by creating sufficient room in the mouth for important
structures, like the tongue and base of the tongue. If a child’s teeth are constricted or tipped
inward, there isn’t enough space for these tissues, which can push back into the airway. By
expanding the jaws and aligning the teeth, we give the tongue and other tissues the room they
need, opening the airway for better breathing during sleep, exercise, and daily activities.
If you notice any signs or have concerns, our team at Avelle Orthodontics is here to guide you
every step of the way.

When a child has airway issues, it can affect the quality of life for the entire family—often in ways
parents may not even realize.
From simple worries about whether their child is thriving, to more complex challenges that impact
family dynamics, the effects can show up in many ways. Families going through this know exactly
what we mean.
Children who aren’t breathing or sleeping well may struggle to be their best selves. Poor sleep,
difficulty eating, or limited nutrition can affect their growth, mood, and daily functioning.
These issues often ripple through the household, showing up in unexpected ways. That’s why
early detection is so important.
At Avelle Orthodontics, we’re here to help you understand if your child may be experiencing
airway issues and how they could be affecting their growth, sleep, and overall well-being.
If you notice any signs, our team is ready to guide you and provide support every step of the way.

Our early orthodontic treatments are designed to improve deficient jaw structures and support
normal development of the face, jaws, temporomandibular joints, teeth, and airway.
Twenty years ago, we didn’t have precise ways to evaluate individual jaw sizes or see how the
upper and lower jaws compared. We could estimate with 2D imaging and look at crowding, but
that only told part of the story.
Now, with advanced imaging, we can accurately assess jaw size and growth. From an orthodontic
standpoint, we can expand jaws that are too small—especially the upper jaw—creating more
space where it’s needed.
These treatments can routinely double, triple, or even quadruple the size of the airway,
significantly improving breathing. Better breathing, especially during sleep, allows the body to rest
and heal, giving your child the greatest chance to thrive.
Supporting proper jaw and airway development can positively affect physical, mental, and
emotional growth—it truly can change a child’s world.
At Avelle Orthodontics, we’re here to guide you and your child toward healthy development and
lifelong well-being.

With any airway concern, the sooner it’s addressed, the greater the benefit for your child.
At around age 4, children are going through critical growth stages. This is also when tonsils and
adenoids are proportionally at their largest.
If we wait until they reach adolescence, much of the jaw development that could have been
guided has already occurred, and an insufficient airway may already be affecting your child. This
can make orthodontic treatment more complex later on.
Early evaluation and intervention give your child the best chance for healthy jaw development,
improved airway function, and overall growth. At Avelle Orthodontics, we’re here to guide you and
support your child every step of the way.

The duration of Airway Orthodontic treatment varies depending on individual needs and the age of the
patient. For adults, typically, it can range from 18 to 24 months. For children it is often closer to 12-15
months. The process is tailored to each patient, ensuring the most effective and efficient treatment plan.
Regular check-ins and adjustments are part of the journey, ensuring progress towards improved airway
function and optimal alignment.

We begin Airway-driven treatment as early as 3 years old, tailoring our approach to each individual’s age
and needs. Our specialized procedures enable us to offer this treatment to adults up to 65 years old, with
techniques adapted to different age groups.