Every smile is unique
A personalized evaluation helps determine the right approach
Common Signs We Evaluate
Narrow Palate & V-shaped Smile
Moderate Narrow Palate
V-shaped Narrow Smile
Severely high constricted palate
V-shaped Palate
Protruding Smile
"Hidden Smile"
Not enough upper teeth showing at smile
These visible smile patterns are often the outward signs of how a child breathes and grows during sleep.
Mouth Breathing, Snoring, Clenching/Grinding
is often a sign of restricted nasal airflow, especially during sleep. It may be associated with snoring, restless sleep, daytime fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. Over time, chronic mouth breathing can affect jaw development, facial growth, and smile width. Identifying and addressing the underlying airway cause—not just the habit—can help support healthier breathing and better sleep.
Mouth breathing in Children
Children Snoring & Enlarged Adenoids
Snoring in children is not always normal. It is often linked to nasal allergies, chronic congestion, or enlarged adenoids, which can block airflow during sleep. When the nasal airway is restricted, children may mouth breathe, snore, sleep restlessly, or wake feeling tired.
Enlarged adenoids—especially when combined with allergies—can narrow the airway behind the nose, contributing to poor sleep quality, attention issues, and altered jaw or facial development. Identifying the underlying airway cause is important for supporting healthy breathing and restful sleep as a child grows.
Clenching, Grinding, and a Narrow Airway
Clenching and teeth grinding (bruxism) in children are often linked to a narrow or restricted airway, especially during sleep. When airflow is limited, the body may respond by tightening the jaw muscles in an effort to stabilize breathing.
Children with a narrow airway may also experience mouth breathing, restless sleep, snoring, or daytime fatigue. Addressing the underlying airway restriction, rather than just the tooth wear, can help improve sleep quality and reduce clenching and grinding over time.
Orthodontic Relapse — What It Can Look Like
Narrow Arches Collapsing Inward
Narrow arches collapsing inward is a common form of orthodontic relapse. Over time, the dental arches may gradually constrict, causing the smile to appear narrower, with crowding or bite changes returning. This often occurs when treatment focuses only on straightening teeth without fully supporting jaw width, function, and airway balance.
Open Bite Relapse
Open-bite relapse happens when the front teeth stop overlapping after orthodontic treatment, allowing a gap to reopen. It is often linked to mouth breathing, tongue posture, clenching or grinding, and airway-related factors. Addressing these underlying causes is key to long-term stability and reducing relapse.
Smile Width Reduction Over Time
orthodontic relapse can lead to a narrower dental arch and reduced smile width, not just crooked teeth — a pattern you often see when underlying airway/jaw structure isn’t fully addressed during treatment.
Significant Crowding
Returning After Braces
Significant crowding returning in a relatively short period of time after braces is a clear sign of orthodontic relapse. Teeth may shift and overlap as arch width decreases or bite balance changes over time. Addressing the underlying jaw structure and functional factorshelps improve long-term stability and reduce relapse.