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Airway Health at Phelps & Cohen Orthodontics

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Better Breathing. Rejuvenative Sleep.
Whole-Body Wellness.

Airway-focused orthodontic evaluations in San Jose and Los Gatos, with medical collaboration for breathing and sleep concerns.

The Foundation of Whole-Body Wellness

Good health begins with good breathing. At Phelps & Cohen Orthodontics, airway health is central to how we diagnose, plan, and treat. 

Why? 

Because chronic mouth breathing, fragmented sleep, and airway obstruction impact your energy, focus, immune function, and long-term development.

We don’t treat airway issues as an afterthought. 
Whether your goal is better sleep, more energy, or stronger facial growth for your child, it starts with a healthy, open airway.

Signs of Airway Dysfunction

Mouth breathing, snoring and restless sleep can have several causes. These signs deserve evaluation, but do not diagnose an airway disorder. Read our guide to airway issues in children.

Mouth Breathing
(Day or Night)

Daytime Fatigue or Poor Focus

Snoring or Noisy Breathing

ADD/ADHD-like behavior in children

Teeth Grinding or Clenching at Night

Narrow Palate or Crowded Teeth

Restless Sleep or Frequent Waking

Speech Delays or
Poor Tongue Posture

Forward Head
Posture or Dark
Under-eye Circles

What an Airway Health Screening Includes

Airway dysfunction is often misdiagnosed or missed entirely. We look deeper for:

Airflow restriction

Obstructive Patterns During Breathing or Sleep

Narrow Palate or Retruded Jaw

Tongue or Soft Palate Interference

Compensatory Behaviors Like Clenching, Grinding, or Forward Head Posture

Advanced Diagnostics to Evaluate Your Airway Include: Structure, Function, and Growth Trajectory.

Pharyngometry Testing

We use an acoustic pharyngometer to measure the cross-sectional area and collapsibility of your pharyngeal airway. This real-time, non-invasive test gives us precise insight into airway resistance and sleep-breathing risk.

CBCT 3D Imaging

Full visualization of the nasal cavity, jaw, midface, and airway volume in high resolution.

Nasal Breathing Evaluation

We assess for habitual mouth breathing, restricted nasal flow, or structural obstructions like enlarged tonsils, adenoids, turbinates or deviated septum.

Tongue Posture & Muscle Tone

A low or dysfunctional tongue posture can cause airway collapse and negatively impact facial development

Facial Growth & Skeletal Structure

We evaluate midface width, jaw position, and overall growth direction to determine how the airway is affected by bone development, especially in children.

How We Treat Airway Issues

Our Airway Treatment Protocols are Conservative, Data-driven, and Tailored to Each Individual’s Anatomy, Age, and Symptom Profile.

Skeletal Expansion

Growth-Guided Orthodontics

ENT & Sleep Physician Collaboration

Myofunctional Therapy

Oral Appliances

Orthognathic Surgery

Our Philosophy: Breathing Drives Everything

Airway health is not separate from orthodontics — it’s inseparable.

This is why every new patient is screened for airway dysfunction during their first visit.

By Prioritizing Airway at Every Stage of Care, We Can Improve:

  • Sleep quality
  • Cognitive function
  • Emotional regulation
  • Growth and development
  • Energy and immune strength
  • Facial balance and estheticso.

Take the First Step Toward Better Breathing

Request an airway-focused orthodontic evaluation in San Jose or Los Gatos. Learn what airway orthodontics involves and how it fits alongside medical care.
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