Airway Expansion for Better Breathing
Credentialled by the Clinical Foundation of Orthopedics and Orthodontics, Dr. Stephanie Vondrak loves working with children using various fixed and removable expanders to develop (expand) the jaws increasing palatal width, opening the airway and helping kids complete their sleep cycles each night. Likewise, adults can also benefit from jaw development using similar appliances like the ALF appliance to improve palatal width, upright teeth, increase tongue space and more. Learn how Airway Expansion can benefit your and/or your child’s health today.
Why Airway Expansion Matters
Poor airway function and affect sleep, concentration and over health especially in a growing child. At Vondrak Dental, we use custom orthopedic appliances to gently expand the upper jaw increasing the size of the palate for improved swallowing and breathing. This early step eliminates snoring in children, makes room for erupting teeth and supports balanced facial growth. Children love the opportunity to pick out and design their expanders (fancy retainers) as a part of their health journey.
- Improve sleep quality
- Reduce snoring
- Relieve jaw tension
- Support facial growth
Our Airway Expansion Solutions
ALF Expansion Appliances
Developed by Dr. Darick Nordstrom, the goal of this appliance is to improve overall systemic health through development of the bony structures in the jaw and face. The ALF appliance is a small but specific light wire that applies subtle continuous force to the teeth and skull bones. This light continuous force creates a piezoelectric effect in the body resulting in bony remodeling. As you can see below, the ALF is small and discrete. Its fits alongside the palate on the upper arch or next to the tongue on the lower arch. The ALF appliance is adjusted and shaped in our office each month guiding your arch development. The ALF is easy to wear and can be combined with your orthodontic therapy (braces) in certain situations. Please understand, a complete diagnosis of your orthopedic and orthodontic needs is completed before an ALF appliance can be fabricated. All appliances are custom made and individual. For more information on the history of ALF appliances please visit the website for the Clinical Foundation of Orthodontics and Orthopedics, www.cfoo.com.
How can I tell if my child needs a dental expander?
Your child may benefit from a dental expander if any of the following signs or symptoms are present. Common signs include crowded or overlapping teeth, permanent teeth erupting in front of or behind baby teeth, snoring, poor quality sleep, mouth breathing when awake and/or sleeping, wetting the bed into adolescence, a noticeable crossbite (when the top teeth fit inside the bottom teeth) and hyperactive behavior. If your child is experiencing any of these signs or symptoms, please call to scheudle an orthopedic records visit today. We are happy to help!
Am I Too Old To Expand?
NO! You not are too old to expand. This is a common question we answer at Vondrak Dental. Why? The bone of the Maxilla (your upper jaw) is functional, moldable bone that responds to gentle pressure throughout your lifetime. This subtle pressure gently reshapes the bone for increased palatal with, improved nasal breathing, decreasing forces in clenching and grinding, improving sleep and more! If you think expansion could help you improve your sleep, breathing, tongue space and more… your first step is to schedule an orthopedic records visit and we will help you understand your diagnosis and how expansion could benefit your life today.
Individualized Care
We design each airway expansion plan around your needs, combining exam results, advanced imaging, and your health goals to develop the best expansion approach. We also schedule follow-ups when you need them to keep you informed and to ensure each step meets what your body needs for proper breathing and jaw development.
Our Promise to Our Patients
We guide your airway and jaw health with honest advice and clear updates. We answer your questions and adjust your treatment as needed. You will feel heard and fully supported at every visit.
- Your whole-body health and comfort are important to us.
- We value building trust and relationships with our patients.
