Probably one the top 3 questions parents and professionals ask me is- how do I find an airway centric dentist in my area?
I know it can seem like a jungle out there, differentiating the alphabet soup behind professional titles and learning how to navigate the airway world and how to end up in the right office. That’s why this blog post is for YOU! To help simplify the search.
Traditional dentistry typically looks at the teeth, while airway-centric dentistry looks at the whole child: how they breathe, sleep, grow and function. Which is why you may not have heard your provider ask any questions about your child’s oral habits, sleep, how they breathe, etc.
What Does “Airway-Centric” Mean?
While the verbiage is common among professionals and growing in parent circles, it’s often not clearly defined. An airway-centric dentist’s primary focus is on how the jaws, tongue, and facial structures impact breathing and sleep…not just teeth/oral health and alignment.
We love this because it’s a whole-body approach rather than looking at the body in isolation. The whole-body as in oral posture, nasal breathing, and development. Airway centric dentists often collaborate with other professionals in the airway world like SLP’s, Myofunctional Therapists, ENT’s, and bodyworkers to name a few.
Why Airway Matters
Children who breathe through their mouth are at risk for:
- Narrow and/or high vaulted palates
- Crowded/misaligned teeth
- Behavioral issues
- Cognitive delays
- Articulation disorders
- Sleep disordered breathing
- Sleep apnea
Much of these potential complications are due to the way they breathe- not just because of genetics. Which means- yes, there is a lot we can do to help prevent future problems. As a speech-language pathologist, myofunctional therapist, and mom, I’ve seen first hand how the right dental team changes everything for our young clients (and my own children!)
Understanding Dental Specialities
Here’s a quick breakdown of who’s who in the dental world- and which specialists you might need on your child’s airway care team:
General Dentist
Provides cleanings, exams, and routine care. Often your first stop and referral point to specialists.
Pedodontist (Pediatric Dentist)
Specializes in dental care for children and youth — skilled in prevention, early detection, and helping kids feel at ease in the chair.
Orthodontist
Focuses on teeth and jaw alignment using braces, expanders, and retainers. In an airway model, orthodontists look for proper growth and development — not just straight teeth.
Periodontist
Treats gum diseases and supports the soft tissue structures around the teeth.
Endodontist
Addresses tooth nerve and root issues (like root canals).
Oral Surgeon
Handles surgical issues like extractions, jaw correction, and more complex oral conditions.
Prosthodontist
Improves dental function and aesthetics through crowns, veneers, or dentures.
Biological Dentist
Considers the relationship between oral and whole-body health. They often avoid mercury fillings, minimize chemical use, and look at inflammation systemically.
Sleep Medicine Dentist
Uses oral appliances and airway therapies to manage snoring, upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS), or sleep apnea.
How to Find An Airway Dentist
1. Ask the right questions
We’ve got to learn how to ask the right questions. Here are some questions to help you on your journey to find the right airway dentist for YOU:
- Do you collaborate with a myofunctional therapist to improve patient outcomes?
- What do you look for in your oral screenings?
- What is your process for evaluating and treating tethered oral tissues (tongue/lip ties)?
- Do you perform frenectomies in-office? If so, which method or device do you use (scissors, laser, etc.)?
- How early do you refer for orthodontic evaluation?
- Do you collaborate with a sleep medicine specialist (ENT, pulmonologist, or neurologist)?
- What is your approach to oral habits or tongue thrust patterns?
- Do you use CBCT (3D imaging) for airway assessment?
- Do you offer take-home sleep studies or work with a lab that does?
- Do you extract teeth to “make room” or focus on growth and expansion?
- Which growth appliances do you offer?”
2. Look for credentials or associations
Does their website indicate they have training in sleep, breathing, airway-centered orthodontics, expansion appliances,
3. Read the language on their website
Keywords to look for are “airway-focused,” “growth and development,” “myofunctional therapy.”
4. Ask your myofunctional therapist for a referral
If you’re already working with a myofunctional therapist, they can be an invaluable resource for airway-centric providers in your area.
Red Flags: When It’s Not an Airway-Centric Approach
If you hear any of the following, you may not be in the right office:
- “Mouth breathing is normal for kids.”
- “Tongue ties don’t matter unless they affect speech.”
- “Let’s wait until age 8-9 to start expansion.”
- “We’ll just pull teeth to make space.”
FAQS
- Is airway dentistry the same as holistic dentistry? No, a holistic dentist is not the same as an airway centric dentist. You would still need to read their website to see if they have had additional training in airway, sleep, and breathing, looking for the keywords listed above.
- What age should a child see an airway-centric dentist? Honestly, it’s never too soon to visit an airway centric dentist if you have concerns! The sooner you have answers and a plan to help a compromised airway, the better.
- How much does an airway evaluation cost? This varies from dentist to dentist and location! Most will give you an approximate cost when you contact them.
- Can airway dentistry prevent braces? Airway dentistry, combined with the appropriate providers, often takes the place of braces OR they may use a special kind of braces/wires that do that compromise the airway during treatment. This is a great conversation to go in depth with your airway provider as each client has different needs and the treatment plan offered by your airway dentist will be tailored to the needs of the patient.
An airway-focused provider should be curious about form + function – how your child breathes, swallows, and sleeps – not just how their smile looks.
If you’re ready to build a strong airway-informed network and confidently guide families toward the right care, join The Myo Membership® for:
- Hands-on training and live office hours
- Case discussions and mentorship from experienced clinicians
- Access to HallieAI, your personal coach for all things myo, tethered oral tissues, and airway
Together, we’ll help you build the clinical clarity, referral pathways, and interdisciplinary relationships you need to support better breathing, better sleep, and better outcomes for every child you serve.
