Airway Orthodontics in Austin, TX

Supporting Healthy Jaw Growth and Function!

Airway orthodontics, also called airway dentistry, considers how the teeth, jaws, palate, and breathing patterns develop together as a child grows. For children with a narrow upper jaw, palatal expansion can create more room for developing teeth, improve certain bite problems, and guide upper-jaw development. At Austin Kids Teeth, we offer both custom-made metal palatal expanders and Invisalign® Palatal Expanders so treatment can be tailored to your child.

Airway Orthodontics

Custom Metal Palatal Expanders

Personalized Expansion Made In-House

Our custom metal palatal expanders are made in-house specifically for your child’s smile. The appliance gradually widens a narrow upper jaw, helping create room for permanent teeth and correct certain bite concerns such as crossbites. We carefully monitor your child’s growth and progress throughout treatment to make sure expansion stays on track.

Invisalign® Palatal Expanders

A Removable Approach to Expansion

The Invisalign® Palatal Expander System uses a series of custom, removable 3D-printed appliances to gradually widen the upper arch in growing patients. Because the expanders are removable, children can take them out as directed for easier brushing and cleaning. We’ll determine whether Invisalign Palatal Expanders or a traditional metal appliance better fits your child’s needs.

Benefits of Airway Orthodontics

Airway dentistry can address developmental concerns while your child is still growing.

  • Creates room for developing permanent teeth
  • Helps correct a narrow upper jaw
  • Can improve certain crossbites
  • Supports balanced jaw development
  • Offers metal and removable expansion options
  • Creates room for developing permanent teeth
  • Helps correct a narrow upper jaw
  • Can improve certain crossbites
  • Supports balanced jaw development
  • Offers metal and removable expansion options

Signs Your Child May Need It

Crowded teeth, crossbites, a narrow upper arch, or limited room for permanent teeth may indicate that an orthodontic evaluation is needed. Mouth breathing or frequent snoring can also be helpful information to share with us, although these symptoms can have many causes and do not automatically mean your child needs an expander.

What to Expect

We begin with an orthodontic evaluation to assess your child’s teeth, bite, palate, and jaw development. If expansion is recommended, we’ll explain whether a custom metal expander or Invisalign Palatal Expander is the better fit. During treatment, we’ll monitor progress and make sure the upper arch is expanding as planned. A holding period may follow active expansion to help maintain the new width.

Why Choose Us

Austin Kids Teeth provides pediatric dentistry and orthodontics together in one kid-friendly office. Our board-certified orthodontist, Dr. Claire Foreman, creates personalized treatment plans based on each child’s growth and orthodontic needs. With both in-house custom metal expanders and Invisalign Palatal Expanders available, we can choose the approach that fits your child best.

Aftercare

Your child may notice temporary pressure or tenderness as they adjust to their expander. Good brushing and appliance care are important throughout treatment. We’ll provide specific instructions for your child’s appliance and schedule follow-up visits to monitor progress.

FAQs

Here are answers to common questions about airway orthodontics and palatal expansion.

Airway orthodontics, sometimes called airway dentistry, considers how the teeth, jaws, palate, and oral function develop together as a child grows. When the upper jaw is too narrow, orthodontic treatment such as palatal expansion may help create more room for developing teeth and improve certain bite relationships. Because jaw and palate development can also relate to breathing patterns, we consider the bigger picture when evaluating your child’s growth rather than focusing only on straightening individual teeth.

A palatal expander gradually widens a narrow upper jaw while a child is still growing. Creating additional width can make more room for permanent teeth, improve certain crossbites, and support a more balanced relationship between the upper and lower jaws. The amount of expansion needed varies from child to child, so treatment begins with a careful orthodontic evaluation. We monitor your child’s progress throughout treatment to make sure expansion is occurring appropriately and according to their individual plan.

Both options are designed to gradually widen the upper arch, but they use different types of appliances. At Austin Kids Teeth, our custom metal palatal expanders are made in-house specifically for your child’s treatment needs. Invisalign® Palatal Expanders use a sequence of removable, custom 3D-printed expanders that progressively create additional width. The better option depends on factors such as your child’s anatomy, treatment goals, growth, and ability to follow appliance instructions consistently.

Palatal expansion is generally considered while a child is still growing because the developing upper jaw may respond more readily to orthopedic changes during childhood. However, there is no single ideal age for every patient. The timing depends on your child’s bite, jaw width, tooth development, and growth pattern. An early orthodontic evaluation allows us to identify concerns, monitor development, and determine whether expansion would be helpful now or whether treatment should wait until a later stage.

Most children describe palatal expansion as pressure or tightness rather than significant pain. Mild tenderness may occur when treatment begins or after an adjustment, and children can also need a little time to get used to speaking, eating, and swallowing with an appliance. These sensations usually improve as they adjust. If your child experiences persistent pain, irritation, or a problem with the fit of their expander, contact our office so we can evaluate the appliance and make any necessary adjustments.

Contact Us Today!

Wondering whether airway orthodontics could help your child? Call Austin Kids Teeth at (512) 288-0522 to schedule an orthodontic evaluation and learn more about our palatal expander options. We also welcome families at Buda Kids Teeth in Buda, TX and Bastrop Kids Teeth in Bastrop, TX. We’re here to care for your child every step of the way!