Sleep apnea, including Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS), occurs when airflow through the upper airway is disrupted during sleep. The result: poor sleep quality, chronic fatigue, and wide-ranging health consequences.
Both conditions commonly stem from underdevelopment of the maxilla (upper jaw) and mandible (lower jaw). When the jaws don't develop to their full size, the mouth and nasal passages are restricted. The tongue is squeezed down and back toward the throat — either collapsing the airway (OSA) or narrowing the nasal or throat passages (UARS).
Sleep apnea is a medical condition diagnosed by physicians. What we treat are the craniofacial deficiencies — the underdeveloped jaw structure and restricted airway anatomy — that create the conditions for it to occur.
Our approach centers on airway expansion — creating more physical space for the tongue and nasal cavity so airflow can improve naturally. Rather than managing sleep apnea symptoms with a device, we address the underlying craniofacial deficiencies that restrict the airway in the first place.
This distinction matters: a CPAP keeps the airway open by force. Our treatment changes the structure of the airway itself.
Using Epigenetic Maxillary Expansion, we stimulate natural bone growth along the palatal suture with a Biomimetic Remodeling Expansion Aligner System (BREAS). The BREAS is a removable appliance that mimics the body's natural growth biology to expand the upper jaw gradually and permanently.
This is not a retainer and not a CPAP. It is the best non-surgical, non-pharmaceutical option available for resolving the craniofacial root cause of airway restriction.
Your journey begins with a comprehensive evaluation at Airway Health Austin. We collect medical-dentofacial records including a home sleep study, CBCT scan, intraoral and extraoral photos, and head and neck measurements. This data is used to build a treatment plan tailored to your anatomy and goals.
Treatment typically spans 12–18 months, with periodic visits to monitor progress and adjust appliances. Many patients begin noticing improvements in sleep quality within the first few days or weeks of treatment.
Schedule a structural evaluation at Airway Health Austin and find out if airway expansion treatment is right for you.