Focusing on Your Best Self
East County’s Practice for Holistic Airway Orthodontics
Did you know that a healthy smile is about more than straight teeth? At Sheffield & Le Orthodontics, we believe orthodontic care should look at the bigger picture of your health, including how the teeth and jaws develop and how those structures may relate to the airway.
Every patient is different, and airway concerns can be complex. That’s why communication and collaboration are so important. If you have questions about your or your child’s smile, jaw development, or airway, schedule a complimentary consultation with Sheffield & Le Orthodontics in Antioch or Brentwood to learn more.
What Is Airway Orthodontics?
Airway orthodontics takes a broader approach into consideration when evaluating you or your child’s orthodontic needs. By carefully listening to your concerns and creating a personalized treatment plan, Dr. Sheffield or Dr. Le can address orthodontic issues while considering factors that may affect breathing, sleep, and everyday well-being.
This approach can be especially valuable for growing children. Certain patterns involving jaw development, tooth position, or oral habits may occur alongside concerns such as mouth breathing or sleep-related issues. Recognizing these factors gives our doctors a more complete picture when creating an individualized orthodontic treatment plan.
Great orthodontic care begins with active listening. If you or your child has airway-related concerns, we’ll take the time to understand what you’ve noticed, carefully evaluate the orthodontic factors involved, and discuss what we find. When appropriate, we work alongside other healthcare providers so that each patient receives care that considers their individual needs.
Symptoms of Airway Problems
- Frequent mouth breathing
- Snoring or noisy breathing during sleep
- Restless sleep or frequently waking during the night
- Teeth grinding or clenching
- Persistent thumb or finger sucking
- Difficulty keeping the lips comfortably closed
- Daytime tiredness despite getting enough sleep
- Concerns about how the jaws or face are developing
- Attention problems or poor school performance in children
Exhibiting one or even several of these signs does not necessarily mean you or your child has an airway disorder or a condition like sleep apnea. Many of these symptoms can have other causes, and a proper diagnosis may require evaluation by an appropriate medical professional.
However, noticing several signs together can be a good reason to start a conversation. An orthodontist like Dr. Sheffield or Dr. Le can evaluate the teeth, bite, jaws, and other orthodontic factors to determine whether they may be contributing to your concerns. When needed, they also work alongside other healthcare providers for further evaluation.
Benefits of Pursuing Airway-Focused Orthodontics
Airway orthodontics considers more than how straight your teeth look. A broader approach may offer several important benefits.
For growing children, the timing of early orthodontic care can make a difference. An airway-focused evaluation can identify concerns with the way the teeth and jaws are developing. When orthodontic treatment is appropriate, addressing these concerns while a child is still growing may help guide jaw development, make treatment easier, and create a healthier foundation for their developing smile.
Mouth breathing, snoring, restless sleep, and similar symptoms can have many possible causes. Airway orthodontics allows our doctors to consider whether the teeth, bite, or jaw development may be part of the bigger picture. When concerns extend beyond orthodontics, we can recommend further evaluation from an appropriate healthcare provider.
No two smiles are exactly alike. Looking beyond simple tooth alignment gives Dr. Sheffield and Dr. Le additional information they can consider when developing your treatment plan. We believe understanding your concerns and communicating openly about your options are essential to providing orthodontic care tailored to you.
A beautiful smile is important, but appearance is only one part of orthodontic care. Airway orthodontics considers how your teeth, bite, jaws, and surrounding structures work together. By taking this broader view, our goal is to create an orthodontic treatment plan focused on healthy function as well as an extraordinary smile you’ll feel confident sharing.
How Sheffield & Le Orthodontics Addresses Airway Concerns
Why Families Trust Sheffield & Le Orthodontics for Holistic Care
For our patients, an extraordinary smile is only part of the experience. Families tell us they appreciate how our team remembers the little things about them, helps them feel comfortable at every visit, and keeps treatment organized and seamless. Patients also recognize the kindness of our team, the thorough communication from Dr. Sheffield and Dr. Le, and, most importantly, the excellence of the smiles they’re proud to share.
See more about what our patients have to say about their Sheffield & Le experience!
How Much Does Airway Orthodontics Cost?
The investment in airway-focused orthodontic treatment will depend on your individual needs, the type of treatment recommended, and the length and complexity of your care. Since every smile is different, we’ll create a personalized treatment plan and review your options with you during your complimentary consultation.
For patients who are candidates for Damon braces, treatment generally averages from $2,328 to $9,706. We don’t charge extra for Spark clear aligners, so the range is the same. If you only need limited treatment for minor changes with braces or clear aligners, the cost of treatment starts around $2,625.
Our monthly payments are generally between $200 and $230 a month, with flexible financing via OrthoFi. You’ll be able to select your own down payment and monthly payment option to fit your budget. During your complimentary consultation, our team will explain your treatment investment clearly so you can make an informed decision with no surprises.
Treat Your Smile and Your Health With Airway Orthodontics
If you have concerns about breathing, sleep, jaw development, or the way the teeth are coming together in your own smile or your child’s, Sheffield & Le Orthodontics is here to help you understand the orthodontic side of the picture.
We believe great orthodontic care starts with listening, clear communication, and a treatment plan built around the individual. Families in Antioch, Brentwood, Oakley, and throughout East Contra Costa County trust Sheffield & Le Orthodontics for thoughtful, personalized care and extraordinary smiles. Schedule your complimentary consultation today and discover what the right orthodontic approach could look like for you or your child.
Frequently Asked Questions About Airway Orthodontics
Sheffield & Le Orthodontics welcomes patients starting at age 6, and an early orthodontic evaluation can give Dr. Sheffield or Dr. Le an opportunity to see how your child’s teeth and jaws are developing. An evaluation does not necessarily mean your child will need treatment right away, but it can help our doctors determine whether treatment may be beneficial now or whether development should simply be monitored as your child grows.
Yes. Airway considerations aren’t limited to children. Adults who have concerns about their bite, jaw alignment, mouth breathing, or other airway-related symptoms can discuss them during an orthodontic consultation. Dr. Sheffield or Dr. Le can evaluate the orthodontic factors involved and explain what options may be appropriate for your individual needs.
Sleep apnea is a condition that requires evaluation and diagnosis by an appropriate healthcare provider such as your primary care physician (PCP) or an ear, nose, and throat physician (ENT). Sheffield & Le Orthodontics focuses on the orthodontic side of the picture. If you have symptoms or concerns that could warrant medical attention, our doctors can recommend working with the appropriate provider as part of a collaborative approach to your care.
Absolutely. We believe great orthodontic care can only happen with open communication. Tell us about any concerns you have noticed, even if you aren’t sure whether they relate to orthodontics. Understanding what you or your child experiences outside the office can help our doctors see a more complete picture and determine whether another healthcare provider should also be involved.