Functional & Airway Orthodontics Bozeman
Improving Your Child’s Breathing & Sleep
The connection between bite, jaw misalignment, breathing, and sleeping is strong. This is why Dr. Paul offers functional and airway orthodontics in Bozeman. Used to widen the jaw, align teeth, and guide facial growth, our whole-health approach helps reduce airway restriction and symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing. If you notice that your child or teenager often breathes through their mouth, snores, or is always tired even after getting enough rest each night, call us to schedule a consultation.
Why Choose Bridger Orthodontics for Functional & Airway Orthodontics?
- Orthodontist Partners with Pediatric Dentists & Specialists
- Latest Technology for Proper Airway Screenings
- Flexible Financing Available
What is Functional Orthodontics?
Functional orthodontics includes treating your child based on their overall health, not just the symptoms they present. Instead of addressing crooked teeth or a misaligned bite on their own, Dr. Paul looks at the underlying cause to determine why these issues occur in the first place. We want to improve not only aesthetics and oral health but also how your child or teenager eats, speaks, and breathes throughout the night. Whether it is with traditional orthodontics, clear aligners, airway treatment, or jaw development techniques, we aim to help your child achieve outstanding results they’ll benefit from for decades to come.
Does My Child Need Airway Treatment?
If you are unsure whether your child might benefit from airway treatment, here are a few signs to watch for:
- They breathe through their mouth most of the time
- They snore or breathe loudly at night
- They are wetting the bed or waking up frequently
- They have dark circles under their eyes
- They have difficulty focusing because of daytime fatigue
- They are not responding to ADHD treatment (a sign of chronic fatigue)
- They have crowded teeth, a crossbite, or their upper palate is narrow
- Their mouth remains open even while at rest
- They suck their thumb (or used to)
The Benefits of Functional & Airway Orthodontics
When your child can breathe through their nose, it reduces the risk of airway restriction and improves their nightly sleep. Choosing to pursue functional and airway orthodontics offers many great benefits, including:
- Improved oral posture and placement
- Better facial development that reduces the risk of sleep problems
- Enhanced sleep patterns that lead to less daytime fatigue and improved focus
- Better overall health because the nasal passageway can filter the air that is entering your child’s lungs
We Screen Early for Airway Concerns
At Bridger Orthodontics, Dr. Paul collaborates with pediatric dentists and specialists to closely evaluate children and teenagers who are exhibiting airway issues and poor sleep patterns. Once the appropriate screenings are provided and analyzed, we can recommend the appropriate treatment method, which may include:
- Braces to realign teeth
- Phase 1 Orthodontics to guide jaw development
- Palatal expansion to widen the upper jaw