Growth Modification & Airway-Focused Orthodontics in South Jordan, UT

Building healthy smiles through balanced growth and better breathing

Many children and adults experience narrow airways, mouth breathing, or jaw imbalance that affect sleep, posture, and long-term oral health. At Eversmile Orthodontics, Dr. Ryan Davis provides advanced growth modification and myofunctional orthodontics to encourage proper facial development, improve breathing, and create smiles that last a lifetime.

Using gentle, research-driven methods, we help patients achieve facial harmony, efficient function, and lasting stability. Call 801-254-2700 or book online to schedule your airway-focused orthodontic evaluation in South Jordan, UT.

Growth modification orthodontics guides jaw and facial development during the years when bones are still adaptable. The goal is to align the upper and lower jaws, open the airway, and establish a foundation for balanced facial proportions.

Dr. Davis uses appliances such as expanders, Herbst devices, and myofunctional exercises to influence jaw direction and create more room for both the tongue and the airway.

The ideal time for growth modification is childhood or early adolescence, when skeletal structures are still developing. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an initial exam by age 7 to detect airway or jaw growth concerns early.

Early evaluation with Eversmile Orthodontics can prevent crowding, improve breathing, and reduce the likelihood of more invasive treatment later.

Traditional braces focus on straightening teeth. Airway-focused orthodontics also addresses the size and position of the jaws, tongue posture, and nasal breathing patterns. By expanding the arches and guiding jaw position, this approach promotes healthy airflow and sleep quality, not just a beautiful smile.

Dr. Davis evaluates airway function, posture, and facial symmetry to design treatment that supports long-term comfort and stability.

Myofunctional therapy is a series of exercises that retrain the muscles of the mouth and face to function correctly. It improves tongue placement, breathing patterns, and swallowing mechanics.

When combined with orthodontic care, myofunctional therapy helps maintain the results of expansion and alignment by addressing the habits that caused imbalance in the first place. We also may refer you to a myofunctional therapist to ensure long-term success.

In many cases, yes. By guiding jaw growth early, we can minimize skeletal discrepancies and reduce the likelihood of future surgical correction. Early, consistent airway-focused treatment creates a balanced bite and profile that support both appearance and function.

Parents should schedule an airway evaluation if they notice:

• Chronic mouth breathing or open-mouth posture
• Snoring or restless sleep
• Narrow dental arches or crowded teeth
• Forward head posture
• Dark circles under the eyes
• Thumb sucking or tongue thrusting

These symptoms often signal underlying airway restrictions that can be corrected through pediatric airway orthodontics.

Children who breathe through their mouths, have poor tongue posture, or struggle with oral habits often benefit from myofunctional orthodontics. Families in South Jordan, Riverton, Herriman, and Daybreak trust Eversmile Orthodontics for preventive, growth-focused care that supports confident smiles and better breathing.

Schedule your child’s consultation today to learn how early intervention can improve lifelong oral health.

Most growth modification orthodontic programs last between six and eighteen months, depending on the individual’s growth stage and response. Some patients then move into Phase II Orthodontics for fine alignment and retention, ensuring a stable and comfortable bite.

Costs vary based on treatment complexity and appliances used. To keep care accessible, Eversmile Orthodontics offers flexible options, including:

• Down payments as low as $300
• 0 % interest in-house financing
• Acceptance of HSA, FSA, and major credit cards

A complimentary consultation allows us to design a personalized plan that fits both your goals and your budget.

Many dental insurance plans provide partial coverage when treatment is considered medically necessary. Eversmile Orthodontics partners with most major providers, including Cigna, Delta Dental, Select Health, and United Healthcare.

We also accommodate HSA/FSA accounts and offer affordable payment plans to make care possible for every family.

Patients may experience mild pressure or speech changes during the first few days after appliance placement. These symptoms fade quickly as the muscles adapt. Myofunctional therapy sessions guide a smooth transition, and many patients notice improved sleep and breathing within weeks of starting treatment.

Adults can absolutely benefit from airway-focused orthodontics. With technologies like MSE/MARPE(skeletal expansion),  and clear aligners, Dr. Davis helps adults enhance facial balance, open restricted airways, and reduce TMJ discomfort.

Board-certified orthodontist Dr. Ryan Davis, combines advanced education, published research, and patient-first care to deliver truly individualized results. Supported by a friendly, experienced team, our office blends science, artistry, and compassion to create smiles that inspire confidence and promote long-term health.