At Lake Forest Smiles, we are proud to be at the forefront of airway-focused dentistry, blending advanced technology with genuine compassion and honesty. Your smile should do more than look beautiful; it should help you breathe, sleep, and live comfortably!
Understanding the critical link between oral health and overall well-being, our comprehensive approach addresses not just the teeth, but the entire system of muscles, bones, and airways that support them. Airway dentistry helps us uncover the “why” behind common issues like fatigue, snoring, jaw pain, and even chronic headaches.
Our expert team is passionate about identifying and treating conditions such as sleep apnea, snoring, and airway obstruction through a blend of diagnostic technology, personalized therapy, and restorative care. At Lake Forest Smiles, we’re here to improve every aspect of your well-being!
What Is Airway Dentistry?
Airway dentistry is a comprehensive, whole-health approach that focuses on the relationship between the mouth, jaw, and airway. Many patients are surprised to learn that breathing challenges often start with structural or functional problems in the mouth and face.
Issues like mouth breathing, snoring, and obstructive sleep apnea can be connected to oral anatomy. Things such as tongue position, jaw alignment, or even how the soft tissues rest when you sleep. Because these structures are within the dental field, dentists trained in airway health are uniquely positioned to recognize and address their underlying causes.
At Lake Forest Smiles, our team is trained to look beyond the teeth to understand what your body is telling us. We observe where your tongue rests, how your jaw moves, the condition of your soft tissues, and even the wear patterns on your teeth. These details help us detect airway issues before they become serious.
Our radically honest approach means we’ll always tell you what’s happening, why it’s happening, and how we can help. We’re here to empower you with knowledge, not judgment, so you can take control of your health with confidence.
Why Airway Health Matters
The ability to breathe well impacts every system in your body. When your airway is restricted or your tongue and jaw are out of position, your body may compensate in ways that affect sleep, posture, and even cardiovascular health.
Common signs of airway problems include:
- Snoring or pauses in breathing during sleep
- Daytime fatigue or brain fog
- Mouth breathing or dry mouth
- Chronic headaches or jaw tension
- Poor focus or hyperactivity in children
- Orthodontic relapse or crowding after braces
When left untreated, airway dysfunction can lead to more serious conditions like sleep-disordered breathing or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)—both of which impact your oxygen levels, stress hormones, and heart health.
At Lake Forest Smiles, we take these concerns seriously. By evaluating your airway as part of your dental care, we can detect issues early and provide effective, minimally invasive solutions that help you breathe and live better.
Comprehensive, Honest, and Compassionate Care
What sets Lake Forest Smiles apart is our commitment to radical honesty and empathy. We know airway issues can be frustrating and sometimes scary, but we approach every patient with understanding and care. You’ll never feel rushed or judged here.
Our team looks at the whole picture: how your teeth, muscles, jaw joints, and airway all work together. By integrating airway dentistry with cosmetic, restorative, and preventive care, we provide truly comprehensive dentistry that supports both oral and overall health.
We also collaborate closely with our two oral myofunctional therapists, who specialize in breathing retraining and muscle balance. This teamwork ensures that each patient receives a customized, cohesive treatment plan designed to promote healthy breathing and long-term comfort.
Solutions for Disordered Breathing
Dr. David Schmidt leads our airway dentistry program with a compassionate and evidence-based approach. His goal is to help patients achieve better breathing, sleep, and function using minimally invasive techniques tailored to each person’s needs.
Depending on your evaluation, treatment may include:
Orthodontic Care
Aligning the teeth and jaw with braces, Invisalign®, or retainers can create more room for the tongue and improve airflow.
Custom Sleep Apnea Appliances
Oral devices like the MicrO2™ gently reposition the jaw or tongue to keep the airway open during sleep.
Myofunctional Therapy
Our in-house therapists guide patients through exercises that retrain oral and facial muscles for better breathing and posture.
Mouth Guards or Night Guards
Protect against grinding and clenching, which can stress jaw muscles and narrow the airway.
Restorative Dentistry
Replacing missing teeth with crowns, bridges, or dentures to restore a balanced oral structure.
TENS Therapy (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation)
Relieves tension in facial muscles and encourages optimal jaw positioning.
Each treatment plan is developed with transparency. We make sure you’ll always know your options, costs, and expected outcomes. We’re here to educate and support you every step of the way.
The Lake Forest Smiles Difference
Airway dentistry isn’t just about treating sleep apnea or snoring; it’s about helping patients live fully, breathe deeply, and smile confidently.
Our practice combines cutting-edge technology with old-fashioned compassion. We use digital imaging and airway assessments to uncover the root cause of your symptoms, then design a plan that supports your long-term wellness. Whether you’re struggling with sleep, jaw discomfort, or chronic fatigue, we’ll work to identify what’s really going on and find solutions that work for you.
You’ll experience:
- Judgment-free, empathetic care
- Personalized attention from a multidisciplinary team
- Radical honesty about every finding and recommendation
- A focus on total wellness, not just your teeth
Suffering from disrupted sleep or breathing problems? Don’t worry, we’re here to help!
Frequently Asked Questions About Airway Dentistry
What makes airway dentistry different from traditional dentistry?
Traditional dentistry focuses on the teeth and gums, while airway dentistry looks at how the entire oral system, including the jaw, tongue, and facial structure, affects your ability to breathe. At Lake Forest Smiles, we take a whole-body approach that connects oral function with sleep, posture, and long-term wellness.
Can kids benefit from airway evaluations?
Absolutely! In fact, early airway evaluation can make a big difference in a child’s growth and development. Issues like mouth breathing, snoring, or tongue-tie can affect facial structure, sleep quality, and even attention span. By identifying signs of pediatric sleep apnea early, we can help children develop healthy breathing patterns that support lifelong wellness.
Can airway issues be treated without surgery?
Yes! Many airway concerns can be improved with noninvasive treatments, such as oral appliances, myofunctional therapy, orthodontics, or TENS therapy. We always start with the most conservative approach and build a customized plan based on your needs and comfort.
Innovative Treatment at Your Fingertips with Lake Forest Smiles
When you think of your dentist, you might not immediately think about your airway, but that’s changing. At Lake Forest Smiles, we’re redefining what dental care can be by integrating airway dentistry into every aspect of our comprehensive care.
Our goal is simple: to help you breathe better, sleep better, and smile with confidence. If you’ve been searching for answers to chronic fatigue, snoring, or mouth breathing, our team has the experience and empathy to help you find lasting relief.
Call Lake Forest Smiles today to schedule your consultation! Discover how airway-focused dentistry can transform your health, one breath at a time.
